Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1920-02-27
LEGISLATURE TO CONVENE.

~. I;oycrnor John ]. CornwcIl for
'oon. Friday, February 27, princi-
,,ally for the purpose Of passing
',non the Susan B. Anthony amend
,,rn, to the federal constitution
,,nfranchising women.
There are six other purposes for
,,.birh The session is called accord
mo TO the proclamation of Cover
,nr Cornwell. issued at $3.50 O'Clock
Feb. 10Th. Chief among these are {:
To amend the charter Of the city
# Charcston relative to the paving
IFS streets and alleys.
TO amend, if deemed advisable,
rho corporation laws of the state
~ allow the issue Of non-par stock
and 10 fix the basis of the tax on
the same.
T., consider and enact legiSla-
ion dealing with the high cost of
living.
Eut looming far above these and,
.hr other three minor clauses in
cludcd in the call the problem of
womcn's suffrage will occupy the
zi,ertion of the legislature and is by
far the most important and the real
reason why the call was made.
In letter TO legislators suppli-
mcniing the call for the extra ses-
sion the Governor said:
For scvcra months / have been
urged to call a special session Of
The legislature to ratify the equal
suffrage amendment. want to de-
fer action for the reason that, as
you know, the privilege tax on oil
and gas companies, involving some
thing over a million dollars Of reve-
nuc annually. has been attacked in
the courts, and if for any reason
The act should be held void a special
session to provide the revenue thus
lost will be necessary. ! do not
want two special sessions.
However, we have reached the
point where | feel we cannot longer
defer consideration of the Suffer
age amendment and of appropriate
legislation. 1t has been ratified by
ihirty-onc states already. A suf-
iicient number of states to make the
amendment effective will act with
in a very short time. Consequently
the women will be permitted TO
vote at The fall election, even if this
state should fail to act.
with these facts confronting us
1t GOES without saying that appro-
priat" legislation should be enacted
Immediately TO enable the women to
participate and to help nominate
Candidates for whom they will be
called upon to vote at the Novcm.
Der election.
in addition to this, The registra-
lion law provides that the county
courts shall hold a regular or special
meeting on the first Monday in
March before the election in each
year TO appoint registrars and to
make arrangements for registering
me voters. To delay the enact
ment Of legislation in harmony
with the equal suffrage amend
ment until after the registration of
'olers would cause confusion,
'adcd expense to the counties and
great deal of trouble.
confronted as / am by these
propositions | have reached the
conclusion that the legislature
Snou'd assemble at once to act upon
"rSr matters. have, therefore,
'''led IL To assemble at noon, Feb
Fuary u.
inc high cost of living constitutes
proDlcm so acute TO the average
n,"AGh as to make it imperative
m,a' ,h ne be properly protected from
," HoSc VINO would practice cxtor-
a moh' Such protection should, and
AN De- furnished without hamper
"S or furnishing any Legitimate
IG"n,"'HS GnnnHS or industry. / am there
na '",s' including this matter in the
."I "i ana trust some wise, effective
,;a " properly considered lcgisla-
,",;' ,Jn can be enacted that will afford
'"'i W against profiteering."
IT II IS likely that the special session
- ''N' about week or ten days.
L,I nc House of Delegates OF Mary
m h On FEB. 2ith, voted "a to ~
xrTsu rnu a delegation of seven anti
IL w!Br members Of the legislature
west virginia to urge the lcgis-
ro'n' OF that State to follow the
Fr%omo F' sc OF Maryland in rejecting the
moT al woman suffrage amend
ii"'' inir, nc action was taken on a
by H. nr'SSolu'lon, which was adopted
H. "' senate with but little delay.
cd w.. Wv u It's members were appoint
ib. ~ L accompany four selected by
,pp"Ni'Ion 10 the ratification Of
was ,, ", suffrage in West Virginia
ty ,Mpvclcd to develop at the par.
vuNCMSnS al lharla.L. ,I,l.