Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-07-14
Governor Clement I,nmoyable

II OVERNOR CLEMENT stands firm
~ against the persuasion of his partys
candidate for the presidency against politi-
cal eXpcdiency and against the powerful
lobby that has attempted to bend him TO
its will. y second time he has refused to
call the Legislature of Vermont into extra
session for the purpose OF ratifying the
Susan l.. Anthony suffrage amendment In
face of the fact that his party has com
mitted itself TO the amendment. and that
his State has been looked to as the needed
thirty-siXth ratiiicant that would swing TO
the Republicans the bulk OF the newly en-
franchscd woman vote, this selfwilled old
American, Republican of the straight and
undiluted New England type, stands his
ground and refuses to be driven into action
that lie feels would be in violation of the
Constitution which he is under oath TO
maintain and support
This second refusal, bitter dose for
the Republicans and the suffragists, comes
on the heels OF his conference with Candi-
date Harding and the latter openly dis
plays his disappointment His first refusal
to call an extra session was in strict accord
with the position that lie took Il year before
when h" vetoed the presidential suffrage
ON Which had passed both houses OF the
Legislature. At that time he took the high
ground that such legislation nfringrs upon
the Constitution OF the State and is in fact
an amendment 10 It. and tina, the question
OF suffrage should be referred To the pcople
themselves for decision.
Since that time the Supreme Court has
ruled that Il referendum on AN amendment
to tile Federal Constitution is invalid the
matter OF ratification being solely within
III" province OF the State Legislatures But
TINS decision mas not changed the will of
the Governor To carry out the wishes of
his people. and their wishes only He holds
that the rights OF the State have been in
v&ded, and that either Vermont must revise
It's Constitution to comply with the Supreme
Court mandate. or the Federal Constitution
must be amended to permit referendum
on constitutional amendments TO hermit
legislative action on matter that had
arisen since that Legislature was elected
ne feels would he an unwarrantcd invasion
Of the rights OF the people to govern Them
selves, and in this determined stand he
VIII receive the plaudtS of every one who
sill clings TO the doctrine tina, cprtnin
rights are reserved TO the States with Which
the Federal government dare not interfere
1t is the Democratic doctrine to which Vir-
gina has chung tcnaciously and which
guided it in its refusal 10 ratify the nine
tecnth amendment.
So the Republicans lose one Of their two
remaining chances for what political proni
! there may be in furnishing the thirty-sixih
state ior suffrage, and there is small hone
Tor them in Connecticut, where the people
are on record against il, and the Governor
stead!asily declines to be forced into call
ing the Legislature in an extra session
which he feels would be useless The Demo-
cfa'S, committed To ratification By iheir
hatiohal platform also have suffered a de-
feat in Louisiana where the amcudmcn,
was rejected and they are looking To Ten
ressee 20 carry out their promises 10 The
suhragsts. Thus in the race for feminine
favor the Democrats seem TO have the adj
vantage Of position.
-t---==-
Lodge admits i!1t Candidate Cox Is q
good fellow With is something very fow