Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-03-24
TOMORROW BIG
SUFFRAGE DAY
IN LEGISLATURE
Advocates to Have a Hearing at
Dover in the Morning and
Opponents in Afternoon.
FATE OF RATIFICATION
HANGS IN BALANCE
srar Correspondence of EveryEvening

y
was decided to give the suffragists from
1920 to 1890 IN the morning and the
ants from 80 tn $50 for public debate
before a joint session of the two houses,
each side to have 80 minutes rebutal.
There will be no hearings after that, the
remainder of what is done being left en-
tircly with the Legislature, in committee
and on the floor
The House yesterday afternoon adopt
cd concurrent resolution providing for
the proposed joint session tomorrow, con-
venlng at 1870.
The same program is likely to be follow
cd in regard to proposed amendments to
the School Code. This matter, as well as
suffrage. was touched upon briefly at the
Republican conference, but it was left
up in the air
The fate of suffrage hangs in the bal
ance While the advocates of the cause
have been working diligently since the
session opened, and they have had the
assistance of Republican and Democratic
heavy artillery" they have not as yet,
made any martial impression on the stone
wall of opposition, which seems we'll en-
trenched in both houses. However, the
suffragists are not discouraged, but, on
the contrary are hopeful.
II make the prediction said a promi-
nenI Nubct ffttltt
is in Georgetown, that, notwithstanding
the surface appearance of things now, the
suffrage amendment will be ratified
While it is true that there is strong senti-
ment against suffrage in Sussex county,
the Republican party has few cards up
It's sleeve that will believe, turn the trick
when the time comes. This will have its
effect on those who may crave Federal
Jobs or | miss my guess and don't know
the average Delaware Republican poll
ticians as think do
This Republican politician was the
most optimistic person found around the
State House on the side of the suffragists.
While he talked as if he knew whereof he
spoke, il was evident that he was counting
upon protracted delay in acting on the
suffrage amendment. This is just what
the opponents don't want to happen, and
as they are now in the majority in both
houses, they are likely to have their way
unless something unforeseen breaks quick
~ to upset their calculations
While the suffragists are busy, the ants
are equally active and they do not seem
10 be losing any of their support. In fact,
the latest poll indicates just the opposite.
Tomorrow S debate may have some result.
Senator Ball and Congressman Layton,
after two strenuous days here, in an in
effectual attempt to whip the recalci-
trant Republicans In line for suffrage, last
night returned TO Washington. They ex-
pect TO return to Dover tomorrow night
and it is likely that they will remain here
until the suffrage matter Is disposed of.
While there has been an intimation
that some of the Republican higher ups,
including National Chairman Will II.
Hays, would be asked to come here, to try
10 do what local influences have so far
failed TO accomplish, the feeling now is
that this Will not be done. Both Repub-
lican and Democratic legislators have
openly resented outside influence, and it is
believed that such move would not be
wise An effort will be made, therefore. to
conhne the effort to Delaware people, but
no stone will be left unturned to get the
best Delaware talent on the job. Not TO
be outdone by the suffragists. it is expect
ed that the ants Will do likewise and some
big guns" are looked for at the hearing
tomorrow.
STATE CHAIRMAN LAYToN's POSITION.
Daniel ]. Layton, Jr., OF Georgetown,
Republican State chairman. who is here
opposing ratification Of the suffrage
amendment, when asked for his reason,
while his father, Congressman Caleb X.
Layton, spent two davs here In the interest
OF ratification, explained that he was work
ing in the interest of the people of Sussex
county. Personally, he said. he believed in
suffrage. but the great majority OF the
people OF Sussex do not therefore, he Is
working in their behalf
REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE ACTION.
The question having been raised as to
the attitude of the Republican National
Committee toward ratification of the
suffrage amendment, and the ACCESSIBILITY
OF calling special sessions. Governor
Townsend sought information on this
subject He wired VIE II. Hays, national
Republican chairman, who has sent the
governor the following reply:
Gov. Townsend,
State House Dover
Replying TO your inquiry relative 10
action taken By Republican National
Committee III connection with ratihca-
tion OF the suffrage amendment Al meet
ing of the committee Of January tenth.
1919, In Chicago, the following resou-
zion was unanimously adopted The
Republican National Committee in meet
ing assemble at Chicago, January tenth.
reiterates its belief in the necessity of the
enfranchisement Of the women Of Ameri-
ca and therefore calls upon the United
States Senate for the immediate passage
Of the Federal suffrage amendment and
further calls upon all Republican legisla-
lures TO stand ready TO ratlfy the amend
ment when presented" Also at the regular
quadrennial meeting of the committee,
on December tenth, 1919, in Washington
the following resolution was unanimously
adopted: Resolved, That the Republican
National Committee recommend to Re
publican legislatures to ratlfy the Federal
woman suffrage amendment IL con-
graduates the Is Republican States, in
cluded IN the % which have already voted
and urges that special sessions IN the other
states be called before February first 10
complete the ratifcations." IL you desire
any further information IN connection
with the matter, please let us know.
VIII H. Hays
JUDGE HUGHEs' VIEW HELPS sUFFRAGIsTs |
Charles i. Hughes has come to the aid
Of ID laware suf1ragists in their fight before !
the Legislature. In the face of statements
from those opposing woman suffrage that |
even when the Federal amendment is |
ratified Delaware women will be denied |
the right to vote for State and local Of |
ficials unless the State Constitution is |
Mrs. Henry Ridgely, president |
of the Delaware Equal Suffrage Associa- /
tlon today gave out telegram quoting an /
opinion from Judge G. z. Hughes to the /
American Woman Suffrage Asso-
citation, as follows:
"lf the suffrage amendment is duly
ratified 50 as to become part of the Fed