The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1920-06-17
EDWARD ]. HALL.
WRITES LETTER
To GOVERNOR
Urges Executive to Call Special
Session of Legislature
PRESENTS CASE FAIRLY
Calls Attention of Clement to Ver-
mont's Pledge to Support U. S.
Constitution.

NV. Clement urging him to call a spec
tial session OF the Legislature to ratfy
he suffrage amendment. In this let
Ter Mr.. Hall points on and smooths
lou constitutional questions and shows
very clearly that It is the duty Of he
stae executive to do all in his power
TO bring the vote to he wenty million
waiting women.
! 1t is interesting 10 recall tha in
1902 Mr. Hall and Gov. Clement ran
'on the ndependen ,i6ket for the Of
fee OF state auditor The wri er OF the
letter has been strong supporter Of
Mir. Clement in his political life and
three times supper ed him for Cover
tnof
The letter follows
Hon Perciyal w. C!emen,
Governor Cf Vermont
Dear MI Clement:
The rights Ct half the people of our
Ma ion are being abridged by your
action and | do,not hesitate as a cit
zen of Vermont to write you and cali
your at ention TO the position in which
lyour refusal 10 call G special session
of the Legislature TO consider the
Suffrage Amendment places both you
and our S ate.
You say that you refuse 10 do SO be.
cause you de not approve Of he mode
Iof rat.fca ion OF amendments which
lis provide by the Constitution Of the
United ates But 1t Is o1r Cons itu
ton; the mode OF ratification OF
amendments was sanctioned by our
State when it eneFed the Union and
while we might desire it changed, dc
1--WE no set bad example for those
who are destroying all Consti uions
when as individuals we attemp to
pass upon its wisdom and say that we
will do nothing TO carry cut j $ proyls
ions hy refusing TO out Stare the op
pcrtuniy to act on an amendment in
the manner it has provided
If you .hink there should be a ref
erendum on the sane !0n OF the amend
men providing for Women's Suffrage,
you would have the opportunity to
Ireconmend to a special session OF he
ll.cg stature that they shl aid suemi a
preferential referendum and take "A re
cess. awaiting The result before act.
ine,
DO you wish in the face OF the feel
ling of he people Of the S-ate fayoring
Suffrage: in the face Of the fact that
1.-THE Legislature is unders ood to favor
Suffrage: in the face Of the fact hat
prac ically three quarters of the
States of the Union. con aiming an
Ieyen larger pre- portion OF the popula-
tion, have declared for Suffrage: do
you wish, ! say, o stand and place
Vermont as barrier In the path Of
Enlightenment and Civilization and
.say LIE al cest moi, II can and Will
block the way to freedom and suffrage
because / fear these new voters may
favor measures in which do not be
llieve or may disfayor measures in
(which d. beieve?"
I appeal 0 YOU not to use tyranny
o defeat the will of the people.
The votes Of women VIII be q pro.
lection to the homes OF our Country
fer to them the home is sacred, and,
lat a ime when the very existence Of
those homes is menaced by he Red
agitation win you stand IN the way Of
streng hening the foundations Of orr
government?
appeal to you not 10 use tyranny
a measure OF vast import to oW Ccun-
try is pending and the need for i'm
mediate action is ripe, you viii no as.
lsume 20 pass upon II when The Con-
sti ution has placed that power in the
Legislature!
appeal to YOU tha At q time when
, a measure of vas import to our Coun-
try is pending and the need for i'm
mediate action is ripe, you will no
assume to pass upon it when the Con-
sti'ut'on has placed that power in the
Legisla
The power to call the General As
semhly ogether was placed in the
. hands of the Governor SO that when
measures Of import to the State
should arise which required action by
: the Legislature he might call them
,, toge her.
It was never designed that the gov
. ernment Of our STATE should be gov
l ernment by one man but govern
= ment by the representa- ives of he
Ipecple
! have three lines supported yoJ
= fer Governor because believed yot
! stood for liberty and advancement ant
!, | shall sincerely grieye if you take {
:, reactionary stand which Is alike
= rnpugnant the prineipleg of iustic,
4, and The viii of the people.
h | am your humble and obedient ser
y want
Edward ], Hall
Bennington, VT, June IA, 1920