Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-08-23
TENNESSEE ANTS
WILL REMAIN AWAY
81 Boilers Will Not Re-enter
House Until Public Opinion Is
Sounded on Suffrage
WRIT MAY BE HEARD TODAY
BY the Associated Press

Decatur, Ala, Aug. 23.-Members
of the Tennessee House Of Representa-
tives here today issued formal state.
ment addressed to the people Of Ten
| nessec, setting forth their reasons for
breaking quorum in tho House by
leaving the state. 1t bears the signature
of thirty seven members. Of whom
twenty seven are Democrats and ten
Rcnub,canS,
EnumCrnting reasons for our action
in breaking quorum in order TO pre-
vent the passage of the resolution rati-
flying the suffrage amendment to the
constitution of the United States" the
statement said
I'VE are convinced that the methods
which were adopted to secure the pas
sage Of the resolution were improper
and not justified.
I'VE believe that the majority of the
people of Tennessee do not favor the
latitiCntion Of said amendment.
I'VE felt to have ratified said amend
mcnt would have been to surrender the
sovereign rights Of the state on the
question Of suffrage. which is one Of the
most important and sacred rights con
fcrrcd. and tho only defense that the
people Of Tennessee had at this juncture
rested in our hands. and the only way
that we could serve was 10 take the
course that we have taken. We fully
understand that our action could only
be justified by the tremendous issues in
valved.
Convinced They Are Right
''1t seemed to US aud we feel econ,
WINGED that we are right. that under
conditions existing nt Nashville. under
the pressure Of lobby and the deman nds
improperly made by agencies which
should not have been employed, the only
proper course for us to take was to alb
cent ourselves from the state for
period Of time sufficient for the people
Of Tennessee to cxprrss themselves in
such manner as might be adopted by
them 20 the end that the governor of
the stute. who actively lent himself
to the adoption Of the amendment. and
the members of the legislature who
seem to favor its adoption. might be
advised of the wishes of the people
OF Tennessee. and be Supcrinduced by
such expressions to abandon for the
time being the prosecution Of the en-
dcavor to now ratify snid amendment.
The next Legislature convencs
within five months. T'rdcr the consti-
tuition of Tennessee. without question.
it will have the right 70 ratify said
amendment If in the judgment of the
and their constituents
it seems proper 20 to do. Tennessee
has already conferred the right Of suf-
fragC upon its women to the extent
permitted by its constitution. and it
seems that no good reason can be given
for the haste manifested by those favor
ing the ratification of this amendment.
Other states asked that the matter
be left to the several states and that
Tennessee. by its action. should not
impos" on them law objected to by
their people
VIII Remain Away for Time
1T is our purpose to remain outside
of the borders Of the state for reason
able time until the people of the state
may have an opportunity to express
Themselves in the premises. and we.
therefore. urge that IN the several
counties Of tn" state the people as
~"mbc in mass meetings on Saturday
next being the 2Sth day of August,
1920, and by proper resolution indicate
their will in the matter. by which ac-
we think. are not correctly representing
tA" sentiments of their respective con-
,i,;uruts. and the governor Of the state
may be advised of the wishes of the
people. and admonished Of the necessity
OF conforming to their wishes as may be
indicated at said meetings.
Both factions in the Tennessee suf-
frage fight prepared today for legal
battle over the Legislatures ratification
Of the federal suffrage amendment.
Suffragists and their opponents were of
the opinion the next step in the contro-
vcrsy probably would be the hearing on
tho Temporary writ of injunction, is
sued Saturday by Judge Langford, re-
straining state officials from certifying
ratification to Washington.
No date has been fixed for the hear
ing. 1t was believed by some of the
principals. however. that the case might
be heard late today or tomorrow. The
writ is returnable within five days on
agreement of the parties to the action.
The Tennessee Constitutional League,
which brought the suit on the grounds
that the Legislature under the state
had no right to ratify the
suffrage amendment, has announced it
will carry its fight. If necessary. to the
I'pitrl Statea SuDrpme COurt