Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-03-20
Is Woman Suffrage Imminent?

WHETHER or not 100000 or more
w American women will participate in
the election OF the next President OF the
United States seems to depend now upon the
action of the Legislatures OF Delaware and
Washington. With the West Virginia vic
tory to their credit. the suffragists feel that
they ire now about 90 per cent over the
line. and that one more good hard shove will
consummate the dream born when Susan b.
Anthony drew the first suffrage amendment
to the Constitution.
To date. thirty-four States have ratified
the amendment. Two more are needed to
put that measure into full force and effect.
The suffra gists propose to supply all posi-
Bile pressure 10 win favorable action at the
hands of these States. And they appear to
entertain the conviction that both Washing
ton and Delaware will come to their rescue
and will cast the votes which will enfran-
chise millions OF American women.
1t so happens that the Governors OF Della
ware and Washington have called special
sessions OF their respective Legislatures to
meet on exactly the same sday, March %.
These calls were issued for the sole purpose
OF making action possible upon the nine
tcenth amendment. and it is the claim Of the
sufragists that they have safe majorities in
both branches OF the Washington Assembly
although they admit doubt regarding the
Senate Of Delaware, where there is vacancy
to be filled.
paigners may be, the fact is that suffrage
is by no means a certainty in the immediate
future. Leaving out OF the calculation the
doubtful Delaware Senate the LEGISLATURE
OF Washington may find itself in tight posi-
ton when il undertakes to ratify this amend
ment. In that State the people have the
right OF referendum. and they may invoke
this right before they will consent to a favor
abb vote upon the pending amendment. This
might delay action by Washington for an in
definite time even il Della ware in the mean
while. permits itself to be peguiled into cast
ing the thirty-ffth vote for dual enfranchise-
ment
If by any chance either Washington or
Delaware should go wrong" on suffrage
the women campaigners must look next to
Vermont or Connecticut for sympathy and
support. if they hope to achieve the vote in
lime TO have voice in the November cleo
llon. The Legislature OF neither OF these
Common wealths will hold regular sessions
until next year and for the time being the
Governor OF neither shows the slightest in
clination to call his Assembly into extraordi-
nary session.
From the four remaining States. North
Carolina. Louisiana. Florida and Tennessee
little is to be hoped for this year Both
North Carolina and Louisiana have heen nut
down by tile sufragsts themselves as hope
less Florida is not much better. they ad-
nit But Tennessee is different. Already
mat state has given its women the right 10
vote in State elections. In Tennessee there
is law forbidding the Legislature to vote
upon an amendment 10 the Federal Consti-
tuition until a State election shall have inter
vened between the time that amendment is
submitted and the time it is voted upon
Suffrage is possible by November, there
lore, II Delaware does its part or il the
Washington referendum does not delay mat
tcrS, or If the Governor OF Vermont or OF
Connecticut surrendcrs. or il, after surren-
dcrins the Legislature OF either State comes
across. There are plenty Of ifs left 10 dis
turb the sleep of the suffra &c shouters