New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-08-14
Great Demonstration Is
Staged When Ratifica-
ton Vote Shows an
Unexpected Ma jority
Foes Win Delay
lin Lower House
Adjourns Until Monday;
Effort to Bury Measure
in Committee Feared

NASHVILLE, Tenn, Aug. 13.-
The Tennessee Senate to-day by a
vote of 25 to adopted the resolu-
ton providing for ratification of the
Federal suffrage amendment. Even
the most optimistic of the suffrage
forces were surprised at the large
majority. Seventeen votes were nee
essary, but most polls had listed
from twenty to twenty-five as favor
able, and the high-water mark was
set at twenty-four.
The suffragists, certain of ratifi-
cation by the Senate, have proceeded
from the beginning of the legislative
session with the expectation that the
real fight would be in the lower
house. and The Senate vote had
hardly been announced before the
workers were redoubling efforts to
obtain favorable action by the Rep
resentatives.
..on4ey afternoon at = o'clock without
reference to suffrage, but it was stated
later the committee to which the reso-
luton was referred would meet Mon
day night to consider it. There was
TO indication what action would be
taken. but in connection with rumors
hat the opposition might attempt to
bury it in committee it was recalled
an effort Of sufragists TO force a re-
sort to-day was defeated last night
by q vote Of to 6, with four mem
5ers absent.
An hour before the Senate convened
ne galleries ard aisles were packed
active pro- and ant.-1utfrage workers
3redominated. Speaker Todd had little
..iaicllty in silencing the onlookers
'ehen the body was called to order, and
--roughout the two hours of debate,
curing which there were numerous
demonstrations, he was able TO control
the situation. But when the seven
tenth vote in favor Vi ratification
Was recorded the pent-up enthusiasm
IL the suffrage cohorts went heyoAd
restraint and forced temporary sus-
pension Of the roll call
When the clerk resumed it was
CCupeN WiitLHtl any oiic OuCSlue IHe
email semi-circlc occupied by the mem
bers was able to keep tally OF the
vote and knew at the end what the
total was. The sufragists were salts
:.ea to know that seventeen Senators
nd lied favorablv. Thew redoubled
their cheers when the clerk shouted the
total above the uproar, and it WAS nee
essary for the Speaker to call upon
the sergeant-at-arms before the Cham
Der could be quieted sufficiently for
work TO be resumed upon other mat
ters.
Debate Is Heated
Both majority and minority reports
were returned by the committee which
had the resolution, and Immediately
after presentation adoption Of the ma
adoption of the minority report, as
substitute, was tabled, % 10 10.
point OF order that this Legislature
had no authority TO act under the Ten
neSsee Constitution was overruled BY
the Speaker, and on an appeal 20 the
House the ruling was sustained by q
vote Of 81 to 5. Debate on the motion
TO adopt the majority report which
then began touched upon every known
argument for and against suffrage.
There were few members Of the
Assembly remaining III NASHNllie 70
night, most of them having gone tC
their homes for over the weekend, ant
No developments OF major importance
bearing upon the fight to be waged il
the House next week were expected
before Monday.
In reply to the charge of Senator
Chandler, Republican. and suffrage
opponent, made during debate to-day
that Mrs. Carrie Chapman Gait, presi
dent of the National American Woman
Suffrage Association, had advocated
lntermarriage between whites ane
colored people, Mrs. Gait tonight IL
formal statement characterized it al
an absolute fabrication.'
Senator Chandler said he had baset
his remarks on a published interview
with Mrs Gait in which she wa
quoted as having said suffrage knows
no bias Of race, color or sex"