New-York tribune., 1920-07-02
Harding Urges
That Vermont
Vote Suffrage
Confers With Governor
Clement OIL Calling Ex-
ira Session of Legisla-
tllre to X a t i f y Act
Favorable Action Is Seen
Executive Admits Prepon-
derancs of Advice Is
for Ballot for Women

From The 7ribunc's Washington Burcnn
WASHINGTON, July 1.-Gover-
nor Percival W. Clement of Yer
mont, arrived here tonight to con-
fer with Senator Warren G. Har-
ding on the subject of calling a spe-
cial session of the Vermont Legis-
lature to ratify the Susan B.
Anthony suffrage amendment to the
Constitution.
Governor Clement arrived too late
to keep a dinner engagement he had
with Senator Harding at the Chevy
Chase Club Instead, the two con-
ferred at the home of the Republican
Presidential nominee
After they had talked for several
hours each issued statement Senator
Harding saying that he had told Gov
ernor Clement frankly that he would
be glad to see Vermont Republicans
close up the great franchise reform
Governor Clement, in his statement, did
not say whether he would issue a call
for a special session, but set forth the
reasons for his reluctance to take
such a step
Senator Harding said:
ut the Governors visit gave me
an opportunity to say TO Governor
Clement that I was deeply interested
in the final disposition of the question
e J IL
frankly that if my advice were wanted
| would be glad to see Vermont Repub-
licans close up the great franchise re-
form. The women throughout the ma
tion are deeply interested in the ma
tional campaign, and the ratification
must be closed soon if they are uni
versally to participate in the Federal
election. I would be gratifed, of
course. to have Republican Vermont
close the gap, but Governor Clement
understands l was not trespassing on
his authority in giving him such an
opinion in the course of our con-
ference"
Governor Clements Statement
Governor Clement said: 81 have been
calling on Senator Harding, and we
discussed the state of the Union agree
ably, YOU can be sure, and we discussed
suffrage ratification by Vermont. Our
state Republican convention asked me
to call the extra session. Chairman
Hays has urged it on behalf of the
National Committee, and many requests
came to me from delegates to the ma
tional convention. Naturally | wanted
Senator Harding's views, and he sug-
gested an carly call. My reluctance is
due to the feeling that Vermont prefers
to change the fundamental law very
! |, l,, rl,oy,
state constitution by direct appeal to
the people and favorable action Of two
legislatures We are reluctant, there
fore, to ratfy by Legislature which
was elected at q time when suffrage
was not an issue"
Governor Clement would not indicate
what his ultimate action would be, but
he frankly confessed there was pre-
ponderance Of Republican advice IN
favor of a special session called to
consider ratification. Governor Glenn
ent is expected to start for New York
at midnight and reach Montpelier early
next week.
1t was denied that Governor Clement
had come at Senator Harding's invita-
ton. In this connection, it is recalled
that when a delegation Of twenty-siN
militant suffragists, members of the
National Woman's party, called or
Senator Harding June %, he told then
he could not with propriety attempt te
| force any state executive 20 hasten
action on the amendment in violation
Of his own sense of duty.
Senator for Ratification
But as the women were departing
most Of them openly expressing dis
satisfaction with the result of theil
visit, Senator Harding said: eff any
state executive should ask my opinion
about extraordinary efforts to consum
mate suffrage, frankly will commene
the thing you desire" Then, with
twinkle in his eyes, he added:
81 have a suspicion that the advice
which might come with proprety, viii
be sought" -.
"Do you mean," asked Miss Alice
Paul, president of the Woman's Party
that you expect to have good new
on the suffrage question ?"
Eyes" replied Senator Harding.
MAY we come back within week tt
| get that good news" asked Miss Paul
"People charged with responslpilit,
so large as comes with this position
<csnttnued On sass ss~rs