The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-08-23
ANTS AMEND BILL
/. Of INJUNCTION TO
INCLUDE CLERKS
Stuff Opponents Explain Why
They Break Quorum-BoIt-
erS Urge Mass Meetings of
Protest in Every County.

NASHVILLE, Tenn, Aug. 2S.-JJnder
an amended bill filed yesterday raising
the point that the Tennessee house SAT-
uroay deteated the Walker motion to
reconsider ratification by that body of
the woman suffrage amendment without
the presence OF quorum, Chief Clerks
w, Nj. Carter and John Green of the
senate and house, respectively, today
were made parties to the temporary in
junction restraining the governor sec
retary OF state and speakers of the
senate and house from taking any steps
toward certifying ratification to Wash
lngton. The writ of injunction was
served on Carter and Green this morn
ing
The original bill was based on the
contention that ratification by this leg
lslature was in violation of clause
OF the state constitution which pro-
hlDlted action on amendments unless
the legislature had been elected after
the proposed measure had Been sub
mltted to the states by congress. This
1913, and the amendment was not sub
mitted until June, 1919. Gov. Roberts,
however, called the special session
after he had been assured by various
authorities that the clause was invalid.
AT the time the temporary order was
issued saturday, the motion of Speaker
Seth Walker that the body reconsid@'
the matter still was on the journal and
Enacted upon. The opposition minority
had bolted the legislature and gone to
Decatur, Ala. in order to prevent the
presence of quorum of 66 members.
Inc suffrage majority within only So
members present, declared the house
in session killed the Walker motion and
ordered the joint ratification resolution
transmitted to the senate, which the
week before had adopted 1t by vote
of rs to 4.
Mr. rroar. @so,,,,,.;.4ol H. ..o..o,....
to Mr.. Carter Saturday and so far as
the restraining order is concerned will
not figure In the case as he had acted
before the writ was served upon him.
Carter however, must report to the
senate receipt of the resolution, this
must be entered on Nthe journal and
the senate must order the document
sent to the engrossing clerk. The re-
straining order effectually stops this
procedure,
The writ is returnable at any time
counsel for the several parties to the
action should agree upon but at noon
today no date had been selected.
Urge Mass Meetings.
After receipt here today of an adj
dress to the people of Tennessee from
81 boilers at Decatur, urging that they
hold mass meetings in every county
seat next Saturday to express their will
as regards ratification or rejection of
the suffrage amendment, antiratifica-
tion headquarters announced a corps of
speakers headed by Gus w. Dyer, pro-
lessor of political economy at Wander
bilt university; Frank z. Bond Nash
Vile, attorney and Miss Charlotte
Rowe, of New York, would begin inn
mediately a tour of the state. The
speakers, the announcement said, would
endeavor Ito explain what the suf-
frage amendment really MEANS" with
the end in view that public sentiment
would be so aroused In the home dis
tricts of legislators who voted for suf-
frage as to force them to reverse their
stand and vote to rescind the house ac-
ton. The first meeting will be held
tonight at Gallatin.
The ants are acting on the theory
that the house has not disposed of the
Walker motion and that they yet have
a chance to adopt it and rescind rati-
fication if they can muster majority.
Governor. Roberts, Attorney General
Thompson and others hold that the
amendment has been ratified and de-
clare only the injunction stands in the
way of certifying ratification to Wash
ington.