The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-08-18

A vote nm the motion 10 concur with
the senate was ordered immediately.
the opposition expecting A tic vote. 10
which event the motion would have been
lost and ratification would have been
rejected. There was a break In the
ranks Of the antls, however, one Of them
voting with the suffragists and the
motion carried. 40 TO Al With an
nouncement OF the result. Speaker
Walker changed his vote TO aye in or.
der to have II entered on the Journal
giving him the privilege of moving for
reconsideration, and the count stood 30
TO &c.
Any attempt Mr.. walker may make 70
have the action reconsidered must be
made within the next two days
Legality Of ratification Is questioned
by many legal authorities, and leaders
Of the antisuffragists have announced
repea tedly that should Tennessee ratlfT.
an appeal to the courts would be made
Immediately on the ground that THIS
legislature, elected prior to the submls-
sion Of the amendment to the states by
congress, had no right to act because
OF state constitutional inhibition. The
constitution provides that no legislature
shall pass upon an amendment unless II
should have been elected after submts-
son.
Others contend that decision Of the
supreme court OF the United States,
holding void a clause Of the Ohio con-
stitution relating TO reterendums on
amendments, also nuliifies the provision
OF the Tennessee contitution in question.
The fight OF the antisuffrage elemesit
throughout the contest was based large
ly on the contention that action by this
legislature would be In violation OF the
state constitution.
Speaker walkers action in changing
his vote to aye" giving suffrage the
constitutional majority OF 50. removes
the possibility OF an attack on legality
Of ratification on this issue had the
suffragists polled a majority OF less
than 50 votes,
that majority OF the members. pres
| ent. and not the constitutional ma
iorlty, was sufficient Tor resstscatlen ak
| rsjecuon,
Lines frightened.
The next step IN the suffrage fight
win come tomorrow morning AZ AZ
o'clock when Speaker Walkers motioa
10 reconsider has the right Of way
Suffrage and anti-suffrage forcQ
tightened their lines this afternoon ant
| both sides were claiming the victurw
Suffragists. however, had the advantasl
OF today's victory and expressed eonfF
denae that Speaker Walkers motios
would be voted down tomorrow. ThI
next step in ratification then woull
be the certifying Of the action Of the
Tennessee assembly 20 the secretary
of state of the United States. who, up-
on lts ICelpt NOuiu ISSUE u pfOciht1aNloAl
declaring the amendment ratified. The
Tennessee senate ratified the amend
ment last Friday by a vote Of 25 to &
Suffrage leaders declare they win net
slacken their efforts. as they desire
to have at least one other state ratify
before the November electionsAa as they
expect fight to be made against Ten
nessee's action because of the clause
In the state constitution which prohibits
any assembly from acting on an amend
ment not submitted before the members
were elected Both United States Solfci-
tor General Frierson and, the attorney
general of Tennessee have declared this
clause to be unconstitutional in the light
Of the recent decision OF the supreme
court In the Ohio referendum case