Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1920-04-16
CON CON MAY MAKE:
VOTE COMPULSORY;
SUFFRAGE: DELAYED
SONS WHO DO NOT EXERCISE
FRANCHISE IS LOOKED UPON
WITH FAVOR BY BASIC LAW
BODY.

Springfield H., April lG.- Contrary
TO the hopes of Illinois women the
full suffrage" article of the proposed
constitution az recommended by Del
egate Cruden's committee, was not
finally approved by the constitutional
convention late yesterday. After
long debate the discussion went over
until next Tuesday
Delay in the ratification Of the
cCmmittee's report, granting equal
outrage to women, was occasioned
by a long discussion Of tcchnicalitics
and phraseology and the more inter-
csting demand of representatives,
group of convention delegates that a
section providing for compulsory
voting be inserted.
There is no question about the final
action on the question Of suffrage
Would Compel Voting,
The debate today indicated there
is to be determined attempt to con
stitutionally compel" both men and
women to exercise the right Of sui
frage granted by the constitution.
Delegate Sneed started the debate 10y
attempting to insert an amendment
which would cause a forfeiture OF
suffrage 10 any person not voting at
every election unlcss legally prevent
ed
Delegate Dove. chairman of the in
tiative and referendum committee.
offered a substitute instructing the
rt-1, a = IL
ing willful and deliberate failure to
register and vote at every election.
Compulsory voting has been consid-
cred by the Cruden committee ana
turned down But today there came
to its support influential delegates
who may succeed in upsetting tae
recommendation Of the committee.
Faith In People.
Delegate Dupuy said the safety OF
the state and nation depended On the
exercise of suffrage by the whole
people. 1t VIII make our govern
ment more safe and sound. | am not
afraid to trust the people, TO use 4
trite phrase which we hdF" heard
much here We are going to be ask
ed to approve the initiative and ref
ercndum in this convention,
After hours of discussion had
passed further debate was postponed
until Tuesday.
The women were not the only dis
appointed persons Judge W. Z.
Hadley Of EdWardsyillc although no'
a delegate one OF the unique chara2-
ters Of the convention, saw his pet
s25 GOO beauty killed in the revenue
committee.
Judge Jladley came 10 >lringt I'D at
the opening OF the convention IT.
has been a most popular host He
sought TO have a prop sal pa d e%-
emptiag the free bridge, f~i!t bE
the city Of st Louis, from taxation ta
Illinois. Illinois taxed the bridge 81
goo this year Judge Hadiey got aIoh%
iamOusly until. in an oHerclthEaida'l'
moment, he asserted that -. Louis
had given him $1..1OO 20 get the pro
rosal introduced and that il ne go. IT
passed he would get $1,000 mora.
Tribute to Su'i,vsa.
i'ndat the la,.cr rroyis ion public
funds may 90 . octarian institution
fo' care OF state wards,
The convention adjourned oNt Ct ~
apect to the memory ot Roger q, sui
Ivan, Delegate O'Brinc presenting "
Icr3lrtion which was unanimously
adcgted calling Nj. sullivan 'onc d
the foremost citizens of Illinois, n
financial leader and rhilanthrop,C
citizen. statesman and patriot, HGr
leaves a record which will not soon
lie tg-yO,ten a."