The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-07-21
MRS. OLzENDAM
EXPOSES GOVERNOR
Makes Public Condition He
Imposed on Vermont
Suffragists
WANTED OPINION
OF SUPREME COURT
Now Ignores Decision of Federal SUI
preme Court - Governor Later De
MED Making Such a Condition to
Women of Vermont.

MED Making Sucn d Conulliou "
Women of Vermont.
BURLINGTON, July 21.-On March
25, Mrs. Lillian II. Olzendam had
personal interview with Governor Glenn
ent at his home in Montpelier. On
that occasion the governor and the
chairman of ratification of the federal
suffrage amendment, discussed the OPP
posing views of the governor and the
suffragists on the question of the le-
gality of the legislature ratifying the
suffrage amendment, the contention of
the governor being that a referendum
must be had. Mrs. Olzendam held, as
the United States supreme court sub
sequentlv decided that referenda in
the states on constitutional amend
ments were Illegal This view the gov
ernor disputed as he disputes it today,
thus setting up his personal opinion
against the opinion of the highest tri-
bunal in the land In making public
this interview yesterday, giving the de-
tails to the press for the first time,
Mrs. Olzendam told the whole story of
the condition laid down by the governor,
upon the fulfllment of which he would
cali the special session for ratification.
/" At the end of the conversation.
said Mrs Olzendam, 81 asked the
governor if he had consulted the attor-
uey- general in regard to the constitu
tionality of the amendment, and he
evaded a direct answer to the question,
but indicated that he would ask the
opinion of the attorney general when
he should next be in Montpelier. He
added that he felt that he, (the gov
ernor). was right whoever said any
thing to the contrary
81 asked the governor continued
the chairman of ratification, eff there
was anyone whose opinion he would
take IA prospect to the question, and
he said there was. That if | would get
decision from the supreme court of
Vermont favorable to the suffragists.
he would call the special session.
The following day Mrs Olzendam
again visited the governor in the execu-
tive Offices, and again asked him to
state the condition, which he did in the
hearing of the secretary of civil and
military affairs CT will call the ses-
sion if the supreme court of the state
decides that / am wrong said the
governor, and Mrs 0lzendam returned
to headquarters in Burlington.
81 felt that the condition imposed
by the governor was impossible of full
illment, - said Mrs. Olzendan .JIV but.
[ determined to do all / could in the
matter I wrote to the justices of the
supreme court and told them what
Clement had said, and then consulted
Sur LAWYER. and learned that only if
ase was brought into the court could
decision be handed down.
1T seemed advisable continued
Mrs. Olzendam. "not to make public
he condition imposed by Clement, in
view of the fact that such a test case
night some time go before the supreme
curt and publicity at the time might
be preiudicial to our cause But | did
make public the fact that the governor
had put up a proposition to me making
the calling of the special session con-
tingent upon the fulfllment of it.
cit was later called to my attention
in the press, l think in one of the New
York papers, that Governor Clement
mad denlpd, IN an interview, llldb he DdH
made anv condition for calling the
session I have on file the letters to
the justices of the supreme court and
replies. and the fact that the repetition
BY Clement of the proposition was
made in the hearing of his secretary,
seemed to make superfous such denial
by him =
Mrs Olzendam concluded her state
ment to the reporter by saying:
81 have decided, in view of Governor
Clement : setting so lightly aside the
decision of the United States supreme
court on the legality of referenda on
federal amendments, to let the public
know lust how the governor felt back
in March. 1t was not so long ago that
his principles could have had much
weight at that time 1t viii perhaps
be comfort to Vermonters to know
that. while Governor Clement viii not
admit that the United States supreme,
court can decide anything for Vermont
along this line, he held at least not
longer ago than March oath, that the
Vermont supreme court could decide
,ueh a question, and that he would
abide by their decision. That the gov
arnor saw fit to deny making such
proposition is an interesting side light
on the whole matter in view of the
latest manifesto of his excellency on