Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-01-29
Political Cowartiicc

4 CTlON OF the Virginia House OF Dele
L \ gates in sdestcpping vote on the rati-
iicatiOn OF the Susan b. Anthony amendment
was inspired by political cowardicc and
contempt for the obligations of u public trust
as measured by overwhelming demand OF
puhEc sentiment i'll the State for direct,
decisive action one way or the other. Either
that, or both proponents and opponents OF
the amendment belicd their arguments that
the issuC was cmcrgent.
The duty Of the Senate in face OF the stu
alton thus created by the House Of Delegates
is clear That body should Immediately put
the amendment to a direct vote, either on a
resolution TO ratify or reject. Nothing less
than such direct decisive action will voice
the undoubted majority sentiment OF the peo-
pie OF Virginia BY doing. that body will
deserve and receive hearty public common.
dation and clear its skirts of the odious i'm
putatfon Of having shirked q public duty
By thus putting Virginia on record before
'he country as holding firmly to the vital
principle OF State sovereignty, which consti-
tntes the underlying strength of the Federal
'hloh' the legislatures of other States whore
every conceivable form Of pressure from the
outside is being brought to induce them to
surrender to that persistent drum fire and
consent to this dangerous innovation upon
me organic structure of our government.
VIII he tremendously heartened with the DOS
sunny tha' sufficient number OF them will
reject il to prevent its ratification.
True. twentyscven States have ALREADY
ratified. leaving nine States that mus, he
secured by the suffragists before tho amend
ineht Is adopted. -Four States Alabama
georgia mississippi and South Carolina
nave already rejected it once some OF them
vice ana North Carolina, louisiana Mary
land land Florida will likely do so. With
'hcsc eight States assumed TO be safe against
nc proposition. only five more will I've re-
CURED TO defeat il. Will Virginia not be
among the live: Ohio has defeated woman
suffrage twice, and repealed IL once. by popu-
lar referendum, the last majority against be-
ing ifb,l20 The people Of that State wills
vote on referendum from legislative ratifi-
cation durinE the present year The New
Jersey Legislature has voted unanimone,, IN
nave referendum on every proposed amend
iHcnt To the Federal Constitutions Both of
.hcse states, therefore are certain TO reject
1t. The Legislatures OF eleven other States
VIII not meet regularly until 1921; hence.
- 'he amendment succeeds at all. which is
oy no means certain. it will not he IN time
10 deprive the opposing States OF the right
10 determine the qualifications OF their own
voters IN the coming elections TINS DESTROY
ihs 'he force or the favorite certain victory
argument used 10 stampede the ,nenbcryhin
OF these bodies into ratifying against tho
SHOWN wishes OF the people in order TO cour,
favor with the pros pective new. body or on
lranchlsed women voters
IL the House proposition were submitted
10 vote OF the people OF Virginia we baven,t
the slightest doubt the amendment ,yo,,,a
pc Overwhelmingly rejected But thai is M,
ne waT TO go about tho matter. If Virginia
wants 10 give the ballot TO its women II ;s
W''nih me authority OF the General Assem-.
oiS 10 submit resolution amending the State
constitution TO that effect TO a vote NJ Tho
peop'e, and II they deem such enlargement,
OF inc suffrage as wise. they NAV accomn,is,,
mt purpose without doing violence 10 finn
aamcntal tenets OF democracy. to whose al
,es,ahce 'hey have held true during all these