Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-03-05
G ISsnine Yes axsas 1890
LAW Is REASON.


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Woman's Suffrage In the Balance.
While there 10 no doubt of the ultimate
ratification of the Equal Suffrage Amend
ment to the Federal Constitution, there
isa grave doubt that it will be ratified in
time to permit the participation Of women
in the Presidential election, next Novcm-
Der, except in those States where suffrage
has been conferred upon them by State
procedure. The action of the West Vir-
einia State Senate, Tuesday afternoon, IN
rejecting ratification by narrow margin,
after the House had voted favorably, WAS
hard blow to success, as approval by the
West Virginia Legislature would have left
only two States necessary TO ratification,
assuming that the action Of the two States
where ratification was extended but is
now under challenge shall not be reversed.
1t is only natural that the leaders of
the movement are intensely DESTROYS
that all the women Of the country shall
be clothed with the privilege of suffrage
in time to vote at the November election
This i. the year for the election of Presi-
dent and Vice-President, in addition TO
Senators and members Of the House OF
Representatives and postponement would
be q great disappointment Rs il would de-
prive many women of the opportunity to
vote for candidates for the highest office
within the gift of our people. And failure
would delay that exalted privilege for four
wears.
But regrets win not alter the situation.
which at present seems very ominous. II
lie one of 80 near and vet so far" The
suffrage advocates among the women are
much perturbed, and such is the con-
Germ of both the Republican and Demo-
cratic parties at the possible political re-
action TO failure Of some governors to act,
that President Wilson is personally in
jecfing his influence, and strong Republic !
can pressure is being brought upon other |
State executives Here is the situation |
TO-DAY:
'Thirty-six States must ratify the
xznendment to permit Of its application. !
Thirty-three States have ratified the
amendment.
Oh the 80 States that have ratified,
tvo-Oklahoma and Ohio-have devel-
oped a movement for referendum on
their legislatures action, which refer
endum might result in notification of
their respective ratihcations.
Seven legislatures, those of Missis-
lima, Virginia. Maryland and West Viz
ginia, have defeated definitely the amend
ment.
AS result there are now eight State
Legislatures-those of Florida, Tennes-
see, Delaware, North Carolina, Wash
ington, Louisiana. Connecticut and Yer
mont-which have not yet acted upon
the amendment
Three of these States, at the very
least, must ratify if the amendment lie
to be adopted. To be safe in view of
the referendum movements in Oklahoma
and Ohio, FIVE should act favorably.
Analysis of the situation existing in
these eight States, however, reveals no ,
hope of getting the FIVE favorable votes .
and an merchandising hope of obtain ,
ing even the three. The governor of Wash
ington has called the State legislature to f,
consider the amendment, and Washington ,
being a suffrage State, certainly will :
ratify. That leaves two more notifications !
TO be obtained from seven States. !
Suffrage leaders admit there is not
the remotest chance of either Florida or
Louisiana acting favorably on the amend +
indeed, acting at all. A tele- r
gram from Governor Holcomb of Con- {
necticut removed all suffrage hopes that e
ne might call his legislature His Office n
wired as follows: Governor HoIcomb has K
determined definitely not to convene the I
General Assembly in special session for o
consideration of the suffrage amend '
nent. Governor Clements of Yer
mont has taken the same attitude. Which !,
caves the fate of the amendment. ap- :
,arentiy, IN the hands of Tennessee. North | ::
Iarolina and Delaware from which two !,
must be secured
While both Tennessee and North Caro-
ina are Southern States n which there Y
llways has been a pronounced feeling 9,
gainst giving women the right TO vote. o.
Ihrage leaders have listed both as
lighting chances" They believe if thew
an prevail upon the Democratic gov is
rnore of the two to call special sessions. u