Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-08-13
.SUFFRAG|STS GAIN
POINT IN SENATE
Tennessee Upper House Rejects
Motion to Table Favorable
Report, 20 to 10
NC. GOVERNOR ASKS ACTION
BY the Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Aug. 13.--At least
two hours Of debate was In proSpcCt
when the Tennessee Senate began con
rideration of tho federal woman Suf-
fraee amendment today. Speaker Todd
said shortly before the upper house was
called to order.
The favorable report on tho rcsolu
tion was made by committee in the reg
ular order Of business and consideration
began at once.
Not nm inch Of available space in tho
galleries or on the floor was unoCcu.
pied. Suffrage workers and opponents
scrambled and iostlcd one another as
they tried to force their way into the
hall. already packed nm hour before the
session was called to order. Pro suf
frage members Of the body had ar
ranged for the seating Of prominent
suffrage worker with them nj each desk
A motion to table n minority report
urging no action on the resolution nnd
offered as a substitute for the favorable
majority report which recommended
adoption was carried. 23 to TO- II
wns the first definite Indication Of the
strength of the opposing forces. Sew.
erteen votes are necessary for ratifca-
tion by the Senate,
II Is considered probable that the
Senate will vote on ratification TODAY.
Final action, however. will ho dplnved
until Monday. at least. when tho House
receives tho committees report on tho
amendment.
Harding Sends Letter
On all sides today was discussed tho
probable effect upon the Republican
members Of letter from Senator Hard.
ing. Republican presidential nominee.
read ut the joint committee hearing last
night by Judge g. y. Tillman. In which
the senator declared that 'membcrS OF
the General Assembly cannot ignore the
state constitution.
Senator Harding = letter was in rCnly
to communication from Judge Till
man. a Republican. who explained in
detail the contention OF those dcclaring
that the constitution prohibited action
by the Legislature. Senator Harding
was asked If he had been quoted cor.
rectly in expressing tho hope that Re
publican members of the Legislature
would vote for ratification. only IL they
should feel they could rightly do so.
II had heard something about tho
constitutional inhibition against your
Legislature acting upon the federal
amendment. the senator wrote but |
did not know of the explicit provision
to which you make reference. ! quite
agree with you that members of the
General Assembly cannot ignore the
state constitution.
Il did say and I still believe it would
be fortunate thing for Republicans 10
play their full part in bringing abont
ratification. ! should be very unfair to
You and should very much misreprescpt
my own convictions IL ! urged you to
vote for ratification when you hold to a
very conscientious belief that there is n
constitutional inhibition which prevents
your doing so until after an election has
been held.
II do not want you u have any doubt
about my belief in the dcSirabilitv Of
ratification. but | am just as earnest
about expressing myself in favor of
fidelity to conscience in the performance
Of public service.
Raleigh. \. C.. Aug. l3.--liiy a.
P)-Declaring that women should have
''the first right to speak when tnc issue
Is whether or not the world shall hence
forth be ruled by reason and right
eousness or by blood and iron" Cover
nor Beckett in n special message today
called upon the North Caroline Iegis-
lature TO accept "thc inevitable and
ratify the federal woman suffrage
amendment"
The governor warned his Democratic
friends that the most they would be
able TO do by defeating tho ratification
resolution would be to delay for sly
months movement YOU are powprless
To defeat" He urged them 10 accept
II as the part "of wisdom and ~ grace"
adding that within the period of few
months 'sOme other state will open
the door and women will enter III" polt-
fcsl forum
WE may just as well realize. gen
ticmen." the governor continued that
this country is no longer an associa
tion Of states. but a nation. Whatever
a majority of tho people Of the nation
want is going to b. the supreme law
of the land. "