The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-08-12
CHAIRMAN HAYS OF THE
REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE
REPUBLICANS Of
TEN ESSEE TO RALLY
AND SUPPORT SUFFRAGE


Marion, o., Aug. 12-Immediate ratifi-
cation OF the woman suffrage amend
ment in order TO clear the political
atmosphere and contribute to national
stability was urged by win IL. Hays
Republican national chairman, IN a
telegram sent today to several Re
publican members OF the Tennessee
legislature.
The message was framed after con
~sultation. with Senator Harding ana
was sent shortly before Mr.. Hays
departure early today for Chicago
1t went to state senators +. j. Cara
ter, William p. Monroe and H. NJ
Chandler and state Representatives
W. X. Anderson, c. f. Boyer, II. 7.
Burns, j.. T.. Cassidy, Joseph Harris
\ J. Hickman, $. NJ. Leath, r. o.
Luther, O. f. Millican, L. c. Norveli
and Dan Wolfanbaiger.
MY deep interest in the ratifica'
ton Of the suffrage amendment,
the message s,id, induces me to pre-
sumo to communicate again to you
the resolutions passed by the national
committee in February, 1918, January,
1919, and December, 1919, and by the
| executive committee in Columbus
Ohio, last month, all most earnestly
urging the Republican legislature to
ratify.
Present unrest is in a large meas
ure due to the fact that SO many
vital questions are cpmoring for ST.
multaneous decision. Anyone Of those
questions. definitely settled, is a bis
contribution toward national stability
The suffrage question is one that can
be settled Immediately by the Tennes
| see Legislature. 1t is really not a
party question, Its tendency merely
makes it more difficult for the public
mind to focAs upon the issues Of the
presidential campaign.
If We relieve the American woman
from the necessity Of clamoring her
constitutional rights, and her sister
from the fancied necessity of opposing
| the claim we will liberate a body Of
| public opinion upon the campaign and
its issues which will prove itself to be
one Of our greatest national assets.
Democracy in the United States is
really nothing but a sham, unless
election day gives all Americans the
| chance to express then political opin'
ion effectively.
ITO hold American women bound
by the result of an election, to train
them in schools and colleges to think
for themselves, as well as a man TO
accord them freedom OF %utterance
as a constitutional right and then to
attempt to deny them the opportunity
to stand ~ and be counted on cleo
ton day, is a governmental blunder
Of the first magnitude,
Both parties recognize that the
effects of the approaching presidential
election will influence our national
life for at least so years. There never
was an election at which it was more
important for opinion and sentiment
to express themselves, The action Of
congress and of 80 legislatures has
given opportunity. Deny them the
opportunity merely because the nee
essary governmental machinery does
not function and you produce the
unhealthy national situation which al
ways exists which masses Of citizens
have burning convictions to- express
and have no definite outlet for their
expressions.
Il refrain from advancing the usual
arguments in behalf Of suffrage. !
leave entirely out of consideration the
partisan advantage which ratification
might entail. I urge ratification, first,
in the hope of thereby clearing the
political atmosphere; second, in the
belief that the suppression OF effec-
tive opinion works harm to the whole
body polite; and, finally, in the con.
viction that we owe immediate action
as a measure Of simple justice to
American women. I trust you will
help in this"