Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-02-26

mittee should hold meeting in Burling-
ton In about two weeks to decide upon a
chairman Of tho convention. the choice
Of a committee on resolutions and other
details. At that time Rurlinston's propo-
stion for the State convention will he
surveyed more at length.
RATIFICATION OF SUFFRAGE
when the subject Of ratification of the
woman suffrage amendment was taken
M. in accordance with request Of repre-
sen tatives of that movement Miss r. T.
Edwards Of Indiana, representing the
womans division of the republican ma
tonal committee; Mrs. Edward Curtis
Smith of st. Adams and Mrs. A. L. Bailey
of St Johnsbury appeared before the
committee.
Mrs. Bailey. the first speaker made an
appeal in behalf Of ratification OF the
suffrage amendment on general principles.
Mrs. Smith showed impressively the
progress of the demand for suffrage in
her own community and elsewhere in
Vermont When expense was suggested,
Mrs. Smith mado the clinch.ne argument
that men did not hesitate on the score Of
expense to call extra sessions of the
Legislature for things they wanted.
Miss Edwards spoke of the ratifcat ton
movement from the standpoint of voting
strength for the party. She said the
democratic women had found that women
, as rule We're inclined to favor the re-
pubicans. and some Of the former were
asking whether it Is really the time for
ratification. She believes the women OF
Vermont would appreciate favorable
| action by their own State.
State Auditor Gates. who appeared by
request, showed that the expense Of an
extra session of the Legislature would
cost about 1900 in mileage and $500 a
day for pay for the legislators. The sum
of $4,000 would pay for transportation
| and a session of three days.
RESOLUTIONS FOR RATIFICATION
| After thorough discussion Of the sub
iect tho state committee adopted the fol-
| lowing resolutions:
Resolved that the Vermont State re-
publican committee are Of the unanimous
| opinion. in view OF the declarations OF
both the republican and democratic ma
! tional organizations in favor of the right
| Of suffrage for women and In view OF
| the widespread recognition Of the merits
Of this measure of political justice, that
Governor Clement should promptly call
| an extra session of the Vermont Legsla-
ture for the purpose Of ratifying the pro-
| posed amendment to the federal constitu-
| ton providing therefor. We hold that the
| women OF Vermont are entitled to the
| same recognition and rights of citizen
ship as are the women of other States.
| particularly In view OF the glorious par,
| taken by them in carrying on ma nifold
war activities and the splendid sacrifices
made by the mothe rhood and the woman
hood Of Vermont during the World War
We are further Of tho opinion that the
Legislature should be requested to con
slider no acts Of general legislation at
the extra session in addition to ratifca
ton Of the amendment under considera.
! ton.
Resolved that a copy OF these resolu-
tons be forwarded to Governor Cle-
ment for his official action"
TO put the republican organization
IN Vermont thoroughly in line with the
national party organization. as indie
ated by Chairman Hays. the State com
mittee also adopted the following reso-
luton:
Resolved. that believing thoroughly
in the cause of political justice for
| women in both State and nation we
the members of the Vermont State re-
publican committee, unanimously de.
clare our conviction that Vermont
should ratfy the proposed amendment,
10 the Constitution of the United States
providing for the exercise OF the right
OF suffrage regardless OF sex This
measure Of justice has become a cardi.
nal principle OF republication as shown
by the fact that the ratification OF the
amendment thus far has beer &C.
complished very largely in republicar
States and the additional fact that II
has also been enthusiastically endorsed
by the national organization of the
Republican party. We rejoice in thi,
, opportunity, so far as lies in oul
province, to align Vermont with thu
Republican party OF the nation as
whole in support OF this measure o.
political justice, good citizenship ant
governmental progress"