Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1920-08-28

Suffragists launched an uproarious
demonstration boforo the clerk an
nounced the vote, for there was no
question that they had won.
Women screamed at tho top of their
voices, scores placed their arms around
tho necks of those nearest them and
danced so far as it was possible to
10 so IN the mas Of humanity. Hum
ireds Of suffrage banners were way
ed wildly, and many removed the vel
low flowers they had been wearing
and threw them upward TO meet u
similar from the galleries.
Few tears of JOY were shed by the
suffragists. Some wipe their eyes, but
on the whole they considered it no
time for weeping. Their happiness
vas far beyond that stage.
y motion to adjourn until 10 o'clock
tomorrow morning was offered after
the official vote was announced, but I'M
the uproar 1t was doubted whether
any members heard it or whether it
was seconded. The Speaker put the
question, called for the ayes" aud
Noes" and announced gravely that
The announced intention to aIIacn
the legality OF ratification if tho
House failed TO rescind its action was
the subject Of conferences tonight be
tween the suffrage leaders and DO.
tween leaders of the opposition. The
clause OF the Tennessee Constitution
upon which would be based the test In
the courts is Article 2, Section 80. 1t
follows:
A convention or general assembly
of this State shall act upon any amend
ment Of the Constitution Of the Unit
ed States proposed by Congress to
the several states, unless such coil
vention or general assembly shall
have elected after such amendment
is submitted.
The present legislature was elected
In November, 1918, and the suffrage
amendment was not submitted to the
State until months afterward.
ECHO OF RECONSTRUCTION DAYS
The. article was adopted In 1870 as
a result Of the ratification by the
Tennessee Legislature Of tho Four
teenth Amendment during rconstruc
ton days after the civil war. White
citizens Of Tennessee were not re-
presented in that legislature It Is
said, and to prevent ratification of
amendments by rushing tactics, as
occurred in that instance, adoption of
the article was one OF tho first things
effected after their civil rights were
restored.
The Supreme Court of tho United
States in deciding recently Il case orig
mating IN Ohio held void II clause In
the Constitution Of that State rclat-
ing to refcrendumS on amendments.
Based on opinions by w. L. F'rier-
son, Solicitor-General Of the United
States and States Attorney eneral
Thompson, Gov. Roberts called tho
present Legislature in cXtraordin-
cry session to\act on tho suffrage
amendment, declaring he had boon
assured the Supreme Courts ruling
the Ohio case served to nullify tho
article in tho Tennessee Constitution
t Suffrage opponents in Tennessee
held that the two cases were not par
allel, that action by the present legis.
lature would be III violation Of the
State Constitution and the fight OK
the opposition from the beginning has
centered largely upon this contention
The Tennessee Constitutional Lcag-
lie, of which Judge Joseph Higgins Of
Nashville is president and which has
prepared to place the case in the hands
OF the courts, Is an organization Of
attorneys and includes in it's mem
bcrship both suffrage advocates and
opponents, according to a statement
by Judge Higgins. The purpose OF
tie organization, Judge Higgins said
Is nothing more or less Than to up
hold and protect tho Constitution of
Tennessee. y
|, Is.