IN THE INTEREST OF VOTES FOR WOMEN
KNOXVILLE POLITICAL EQUALITY LEAGUE.
Committee—Mrs. Edw. Gillenwaters, Mrs. Henry Kelso, Mrs. David Meriwether, Jr.
Mrs. Sarah Hood.
Rooks Suffrage Bill.
For the last three weeks the attention
of the Tennessee suffragists of all creeds
and classes has been focussed upon the
state capitol where, amid dramatic
scenes and accessories, the so-called
Rooks' Suffrage Bill has played a con-
spicuous part.
This bill—which by the way, is "mo-
thered" by the Tennessee Suffrage asso-
ciation. Inc., whose president is Mrs.
Gilfred Dudley, of Nashville, was passed
without much protest or palaver in the
house of representatives by vote of
fifty-nine to twenty-five. Hopes were
high that the senate would take the same favorable action. But alas, no! It seems that some of the senators were false to their party platforms and promises and fomented a conspiracy which
resulted in the defeat of the measure in spite of the eloquent advocacy of
Senators Houk, Ogle and others.
However, the bill is "not dead yet"
by any means, for at the last moment it was snatched from total defeat by a motion to reconsider, and, in consequence,
it will be called up for a second
hearing as soon as the legislature convenes again after the recess.
This delay will not only give the
suffragists time to strengthen their
forces, but will afford the opponents the
chance in remember their forgotten
pledges and to retrieve their error by
joining in the movement to place the old
Volunteer State in the front ranks of
progress.
While it is generally conceded that the most logical and expedient way to secure the enfranchisement of women is by federal amendment, yet nothing would give the women of Tennessee such genuine gratification as to receive the ballot from the hands of their own men.
Therefore, it is hoped that not a single
senator will fail
in his duty to his
family, his state, his party,
and his
country when the day comes to vote on
the Rooks' Suffrage Bill. S.H.H.
