South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-08-27
SIGNS;
SUFFRAGE IS
NOW HISTORY
Nineteenth Amendment to
Federal Constitution Be-
comes a Law.
BY Associated Press;

BY Associated Press;
WASHINGTON, Aug. 25.-With-
out pomp or ceremony, Secretary
Colby Thursday signed the procla-
nation declaring the woman suf-
frage amendment Ito all intents and
purposes "A part OF the constitution
OF the United States
The secretary's signature was af
fixed to the proclamation at his
home at o'clock Thursday morn
ing. a few hours after he had re-
Ceived from Gov. Roberts OF Tennes-
see, the certificate that final favor
able action on the amendment had
been taken by the Legislature OF that
state, completing the required thirty
six.
DiSappOintS Workers.
The quiet manner in which Mr.
Colby acted was disappointment to
some suffrage workers. who had
hoped 10 make a ceremony of his
act. but they cOntented themselves
with their own jubilation ceremo-
nies. including n mass meeting here
I Thursday night. They united in
/ statements that with the secretary's
action nothing can now be done TO
/ prevent the women from voting IN
November.
The seal Of the United States has
| been duly affixed TO the certificate
, and the suffrage amendment is now
the 18th amendment to the constitu-
ton" Secretary Colby announced on
reaching his office two hours after
he had placed his signature 10 the
proclamation.
Avoid Limelight.
A desire 10 avoid the limelight.
and 10 prevent arOusinR of feeling
among suffrage workers as 10 whom
should be present prompted the
quiet setting for the signing. Mr.
Colby asserted also that mis- only
purpose was to pursue a simple
duty"
Mr.. Colby was awakened at 3:45
o'clock Thursday morning by Chas.
l.. Cook. a state department en-
ploye, who notified him that the
Tennessee certification had arrived.
The secretary then called r. X.
Nielsen, department solicitor. 10 eX
anime the Tennessee papers. also in
struCting the solicitor 70 bring the
proclamation 10 the secretary's
home at o'clock.
While II was my thought" the
secretary explained later. Ito avoid
undue eagerness In signing the proc
lamatiOn. l found no reason 10 con-
spicuously loiter. I had an aversion
10 signing in the wee small hours or
the night. and a. m. thought.
was the earliest regular hour 1
would begin the function"
Women Wait.
When he reached the department
the secretary found several members
OF the National Woman's party.
headed by its chairman. Alice Paul.
awaiting TO witness the signing.
Their disappointment was not con-
Cealed when II was learned that he
had acted, and the SeCretary'S later
invitation that they hear state
ment was declined. Mrs Carrie
Chapman Gait, president Of the Ma
tional American Suffrage associa-
tion. and some other suffrage work
ers, however, accepted the invita-
ton.
Leaves For New York
After the visit OF her delegation to
the state department. Miss Paul left
here for New York TO call a meeting
Of the executive committee OF the
National Woman's party to fix a
date for party convention OF fu-
ture work. other leaders OF the
woman's party. including Mrs. Abby
Scott Baker. the party's political
chairman, discussed with Solicitor
General F'ricrSon and other officials
any posSibl, legal steps the anti
suffrasists might take. They later
said they believed that all reason
fCONTTNI-En ~ pAcu, u,pr-pN