Evening journal., 1920-05-10
SUFFRAGE Up
INLA. TODAY
Indications Are For Ratih-
cation, Though States
Rights is Factor
GOVERNOR WILL
URGE AMENDMENT

NEW ORLEANS. May io.-Louisiana
now has a chance to step ahead Of
Delaware In being the flnal State TO
ratlfy suffrage.
The Louisiana Legislature met today
in regular session at Baton Rouge.
The Delaware Legislature. with rati-
ncation through the Senate, has re-
cessed until May a..
Louisiana's Legislature is sohdlY
Democratic and National Woman
Party leaders mere are pointing. out
that II Louisiana ratifies ahead OF the
Republican Legislature or Delaware J.
viii place the Democrats IN favorable
nosition with the new women voters.
Sentiment In the Louisiana Legisid
ture Is we'll divided, but woman S
party leaders think the support OF
The new governor. John W. Parker,
aud Mayor Behrman, Of New Orleans,
leaders OF the two opposing taclOns
OF the State, may decide the ISSUE;
Preliminary returns from poli OF
the legislators shows a shsht lean
~ The FEELING in favor OF states rights
in Southern states, however, Is
strong factor against ratfncduon I'D
Louisiana.
In case Louisiana and Delaware re-
fnse the next EFFORT VIII DO concen-
trated on North Carolina where tne
LEGISLATURE meets in July, and ON
Connecticut and Vermont, WheIe Ne
governors have refused 70 cdl
clal sessions OF the legislatures Tor
suffrage.
WASHINGTON. May iO.-The woman
vote IL being played up with fine po-
iiticat effeet by suffragists seeking TO
have sac women OF the country Nole
in the November election. In me
race 10 obtain ratification OF the SUI
frage amendment in thirty-eiN States,
Tho "suffsn are seeking 10 hasten ac-
ton BY matching the Republican state
OF Delaware against the Democratic
States OF Louisiana and North Caro-
Suffrage leaders in Washington to-
day declared the Democrats have an
obpOrtunity 10 redeem their record
In the fight by obtaining ratification
in Louisiana before the Delaware
Legislature reconvenes May Il.
The most encouraging thing To
suffragists about the Delaware situa-
ton Is that the governor can 10
counted upon to call special session
OF the Legislature at any time Whef
the suffragists can assure MIN lne,
have the necessary votes. NO mat
ter what situation may develop in th'
Legislature on the nth, the womel
,yin keen on working In the hop
that the Supreme Court will give
favorable decision I'm the Ohio refer
endum case and that Delaware Wi
then become the thirty-sixth Slate u
ratify.
OF counse il the Ohio case is de
oided against the suffragists still an
other State must ratify before IN
constitutional amendment will be ei
fective.
For this reason the campaign IA
suffrage In North Carolina Is beln
pressed preparatory TO tho meetln
Of the Legislature in July. En0rl
10 get special sessions OF the Legl'
lature in Vermont and Connecuct
have thus far failed, and therefore th
two Southern States are looked TO d
affording the real opportunity. Sen.
tor Simmons, OF North Carolina an
a majority OF the congressional dei'
CATION support suffrage. as do Coz
ernor Parker, Mayor Behrman, OF Me-
Orleans, and a majority OF LOuisian
congressman. Preliminary polls
Louisiana shows very slight nj
iority on the side OF ratification
the constitutional amendment.
The National Woman's Party h
sent a group OF campaigners IN
Louisiana. including Miss Mary Wi
sOr, OF Philadelphia, and Mrs. Flo
ence Bayard Hilles OF Delaware.
While the women are making cNel
effort 10 participate in the cOmi
election, there are many politician
who will be glad 10 see them IA
The political situation is sufncient
complicated without having the wor
en- voting, they believe, FOR nobo,
can guess what the wOmen's vO
will do 10 the two old parties.
II events OF next month shOu
bring out a third party the unce
tainty OF how The women might v0
would add still further computation
With the League OF Nations as q
predominant issue, or win prohit
tOn playing an important part
either party's platform the women
vote might go TO one party almost
enhloc.
The politicians are making a slroi
play for the wOmcn's favor In II
matter OF committee appointment
The Republicans may assert that th
gut the suffrage amendment throul
Congress, but President Wilson is e
deaVOring to show Democratic fav
10 the suffragists by such appOiI
ments as that OF Mrs Helen Gar
ner, as the FIRST woman Civil ServI
Commissioner, and Mrs. Clara $. ia
lor, Just made a member Of the re
Commission OF the District Of COlu
bia.