The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-07-15
Three. of Republican Candi-
dates for Governor In
Favor Of 1t
MEMS RATIFICATION
COMMITTEE FOR 1T
Mrs OIzendam and Ann Batchelder
Score Govemor-Agan Thinks He
Would Have No Influence with
Clement.

sentiment is overwhelmingly in favor OF
calling a special session of the Vermont
legislature to pass on the federal woman
suffrage amendment, according to SUI
frage leaders making their headquarters
in this city. As partial proof OF this, the
mems committee for ratification in Yer
mont, composed of men OF more or less
prominence in state affairs, and from
all walks of life, is pointed to. 1t IS
further pointed out that three of the four
candidates for the Republican nomina-
ton for governor are unqualitiedly IN ia
vor of a special session. Agan is the only
holdout. Hardness, Babbitt and Emery
are not only giving their moral but also
their active support. These three have
given assurance that they will be pleased
to act as vice chairmen of the Men Ratl-
fcation committee of which J. Gregory
Smith, of st. Adams, is chairman.
Major H. Nelson jackson, chairman OF
the Republican delegation to Chicago, Is
also one of the vice-chairmen, together
with President Guy w. Bailey of the
University of Vermont, former secretary
OF state. ana 1feSlueHG JOiH ~ iiSAAi'e''
president of Aiiddlebury college.
Impeachment would be too easy for
Clement" said Mrs. Lillian Olzendam,
prominent suffrage leader, when inter
viewed at her apartment in this city.
obstinate himself and bull headed, the
only man of prominence in the state who
is opposed to women voting, he Is also a
prrppet in the hands of w. B. c. Stickney
of Poultnev, a so-caled power behind
the throne" The governors action was
characterized by Mrs. Olzendam, leader
of the drive in the state for ratification,
and bv Miss Ann Batchelder, another
active suffrage worker as being an act
of an obstinate man. 1T is" they said,
directly opposed to the information that
Senator Harding sent Mrs. OlZendarn
relative to Governor Clements inten-
lions. and nothing more than a deliberate
attempt to further the election of Frank
w. Agan. candidate for governor, who
was called back to Vermont by Clement
and whose campaign they said is being
partly financed by the present head OF
the state.
"The connection between the liquor
candidate Again. said Mrs. Olzendam.
''and Clement is clearly seen by reading
this hitherto unpublished letter from
Agan to me. 1t is nothing but an echo
of Governor Clements proclamation or
rather the governors proclamation is but
an echo of the opinion ventured by his
henchman, Agan."
Her letter to Mr. Agan follows;
"June %, 1920.
"Hon Frank W. Agan,
Ludlow. Vt.
.NIv Dear Mr.. Agan:
I'm view of the immmenee of the
woman vote in Vermont Tin spite Of
Governor Clements persistent refusal to
heed the demands of his party in the state
and nation to call a special session of the
legislature to ratify the federal suffrage
lamendmentl it seems pertinent to ad-
dress YOU in behalf of the suffragists and
request you to add your vote to that of
the majority of Vermont Republicans
who have already spoken, and ask the
governor to call the legislature together
at once We would ask that you make
your request to him public or state to us
the reasons for not complying with our
request. should you see fit to refuse to
act in the matter
'sThere is no halfway position for any
candidate for office to take on this ques-
ton. The recent decision of the United
States supreme court that no referen-
| lum on federal constitutional anne nd
ments may be had in any state, disposes
| of Governor Clements miJtaken oblec-
ton on that ground
| knowing your closeness to the gov
| governor, we hope that you will point
| out to him the necessity of Immediate
| action in order that Vermont women
NAV not be shamefully Disseminated
| against in the coming election.
| Awaiting your reply, and with thanks
for any courtesy you may chose to eX
tend to your women fellow citizens, ! am
Sincerely yours.
GILLIAN H. OLZENDAM.
Chairman of Notifications
for Vermont
Mr. Agan's reply is as follows:
"June Both, 1920.
sAIrs. Lillian Olzendam,
Burlington, VT.
My Dear Madam:
You will please pardon delay in an
;wering your letter. | have been ava!
rom home on campaign tour.
Il do not think that anything / coult
ay on this question would influence tth,
governor. You understand | am notzop
| posed to woman suffrage, and | do no
| believe that Governor Clement is d
not know, but as | understand it, he be
+ ieves that the federal amendment in
yades the constitutional rights of tn
state of Vermont. | have not had an
talk with the governor regarding this
/ but as | understand this is his objection
However, / would be glad to talk wit
aim when | see him regarding this.
/ do not think, however, that what | coul
or would say would either help or hur
1 your cause. because anything that
| would say would not influences him i
| any way.
| Sincerely yours,
CRANK w. AGAIN"
I lev4Iiss Ann Batehelder, who IS, associate