The Woman's Hour

by Elaine Weiss

  a caravan of forty: “Mrs. Washington to Entertain Visitors,” Nashville Tennessean, August 6, 1920; “Woman’s Rejection League at Washington Hall,” Nashville Banner, August 9, 1920.

  Clay was the great gardener: Biographical details from Paul Boyer, “Laura Clay,” in Notable American Women, ed. James et al., 346–48; Paul E. Fuller, Laura Clay and the Woman’s Rights Movement (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1975); and Paul E. Fuller, “Suffragist Vanquished: Laura Clay and the 19th Amendment,” Register of the Kentucky Historical Society 93, no.1 (Winter 1995): 4–24.

  Gordon was a New Orleans public health activist: Biographical details from “Kate and Jean Gordon,” in Encyclopedia of New Orleans, http://www.knowlouisiana.org/entry/kate-and-jean-gordon; “Kate Gordon’s Louisiana,” in Elna C. Green, Southern Strategies: Southern Women and the Woman Suffrage Question (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press 1997); Kenneth R. Johnson, “Kate Gordon and the Woman Suffrage Movement in the South,” Journal of Southern History 38 (August 1972): 365–92.

  A secret sponsor: Marjorie Spruill Wheeler, “Woman’s Rights and States’ Rights,” in New Women of the New South: The Leaders of the Woman Suffrage Movement in the Southern States (Oxford, UK, and New York: Oxford University Press, 1993), 149.

  a family portrait: Photo in Nashville Banner, August 15, 1920.

  “Suffrage situation very critical”: Governor A. H. Roberts to Charl Williams, August 8, 1920, A. H. Roberts Papers, TSLA.

  “We are ready”: “Woman’s Party Worker on Way,” Charlotte (NC) Observer, August 9, 1920.

  allusions to “mysterious influences”: “Mighty Battle is in Prospect over Suffrage,” Nashville Tennessean, August 8, 1920.

  “Knowing its personnel”: “Mrs Dudley’s Faith in Legislators Strong,” Chattanooga Times, August 9, 1920.

  “We know that pledges”: “Says Fight is for States’ Rights,” Nashville Banner, August 7, 1920, Pearson Papers, TSLA.

  “Speakers Walker and Todd”: White to Paul, August 8, 1920, NWPP, LoC.

  strange sort of beauty pageant: “Cry of Liquor,” Chattanooga Times, August 10, 1920.

  “Wish greatly you were here”: White to Paul, August 8, 1920, NWPP, LoC.

  Chapter 17: In Justice to Womanhood

  “These gentlemen, who do not belong”: “Women Swamp Tennessee Capital,” Charlotte (NC) Observer, August 10, 1920.

  Betty Gram puffed: “Leaders Come Here for Suffrage Fight,” Nashville Tenneseean, August 7, 1920; “Shelby Solons Leave Sunday for Nashville,” Memphis News-Scimitar, August 7, 1920.

  “I am here to do”: “Gov. Roberts Pleads for Ratification,” Chattanooga News, August 9, 1920.

  porters had been cleaning: “Capitol is Prepared for Fall of Gavel,” Nashville Tennessean, August 8, 1920.

  decorating the corridors: “Women Swamp Tennessee Capital,” Charlotte (NC) Observer, August 10, 1920.

  Mrs. Edwin Forbes: Ibid.

  NATION WATCHES SOLONS: “Nation Watches Solons; Solons Watching Ladies,” Memphis News-Scimitar, August 9, 1920.

  “time of their gay young lives”: Ibid.

  “You may say for me”: “Suffrage Battle will Start Today,” New York Times, August 9, 1920.

  “You have heard those in favor”: Account by Mabel Reber in Nashville to Boeckel at NWP headquarters, August 9, 1920, NWPP, LoC.

  thirty-four Republicans: “Suffrage Battle Opens Today,” Nashville Tennessean, August 10, 1920.

  Pollitzer was crestfallen: Anita Pollitzer to Abby Baker, August 9, 1920, NWPP, LoC; “Gov. Roberts Pleads for Ratification,” Chattanooga News, August 9, 1920.

  “Please come at once”: Mary Winsor to Alice Paul, August 9, 1920, NWPP, LoC.

  still at loggerheads: “We, the undersigned, chairmen of ratification committees desire to say to the public, any statements to the contrary notwithstanding, that we are working and shall continue to work for ratification of the federal suffrage amendment solely and that our ratification committees take no stand on partisan and political differences of opinion,” typescript, Catt Papers, TSLA.

  They were unwilling: “Miss Williams Gets Factions Together,” Memphis News-Scimitar, August 10, 1920.

  Shortly past noon: House Journal of the Extraordinary Session of the Sixty-First General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, Day 1, August 9, 1920, TSLA.

  The visitor galleries above: “Another War of Roses Staged at Capitol,” Chattanooga News, August 9, 1920; “Women Swamp the State Capital,” Charlotte (NC) Observer, August 10, 1920.

  “Tennessee occupies a pivotal position”: “Roberts Urges Ratification,” Nashville Banner, August 9, 1920.

  The delay was blamed: “Suffrage Resolution Up in Tennessee Today,” Baltimore Sun, August 10, 1920.

  greetings from the Maryland legislature: Ibid.

  “doesn’t have a chance”: Ibid.

  McKellar made the rounds: “Miss Williams Gets Factions Together,” Memphis News-Scimitar, August 10, 1920; “Prospects for Early Ratification Brighter,” Chattanooga News, August 10, 1920; “Gov. Roberts Adds Pressure in Message,” Chattanooga Times, August 10, 1920.

  “Call Gov. Cox”: Abby Baker to Alice Paul, August 10, 1920, NWWP, LoC. Baker reports that Cox is frustrated by Roberts’s not returning his calls.

  She handwrote a letter: Catt to Will Hays, August 9, 1920, Ratification Vertical File, TSLA.

  a deputation of Anti women: “Suffrage Battle Opens Today,” Nashville Tennessean, August 10, 1920.

  The campaign was officially launched: “Cox Finds Cheer in Roosevelt Tone,” New York Times, August 10, 1920.

  Cox Electric League: Ibid.

  women made their case: “Anti-Suffragists Fail to Sway Cox,” Nashville Banner, August 10, 1920; “Cox Finds Cheer in Roosevelt Tone,” New York Times, August 10, 1920.

  That’s when he revealed: Irwin, The Story of Alice Paul, 469. There are conflicting accounts of exactly when Walker revealed his intentions to the suffragists in Nashville. This chronology is based upon a careful consideration of contemporary correspondence and news reports. See also “Eyes on Solons,” Memphis News-Scimitar, August 9, 1920; and “Ratification More Remote,” Chattanooga Times, August 10, 1920.

  “We have long since”: Catt to Kenny, June 29, 1920, Catt Papers, TSLA.

  Sue White worked deep: “Miss Williams Gets Factions Together,” Memphis News-Scimitar, August 10, 1920. “Gov. Roberts Adds Pressure in Message,” Chattanooga Times, August 10, 1920.

  babysat the joint resolution: “Ratification More Remote,” Chattanooga Times, August 11, 1920.

  “Republican situation really fearful”: Pollitzer to Abby Baker and to Alice Paul, 4:58 a.m., August 10, 1920, NWPP, LoC.

  “go down the line”: “Ratification Seems More Remote,” Chattanooga Times, August 11, 1920; “Suffrage Resolution to go to Committee,” Nashville Tennessean, August 11, 1920; “Miss Williams Gets Factions Together,” Memphis News-Scimitar, August 10, 1920.

  “Speculation was rife”: “Move Made to Block Suffrage Vote,” Memphis News-Scimitar, August 11, 1920; “Suffrage Comes Up in Tennessee Today,” New York Times, August 11, 1920; “Other Active Members Join in Opposition,” Chattanooga Times, August 11, 1920; “Tide Ebbs and Flows in Fight for Ratification,” Nashville Tennessean, August 11, 1920.

  received glad tidings: “North Carolina Likely to Defeat Measure,” New York Times, August 12, 1920; “North Carolina to Tennessee,” Nashville Banner, August 12, 1920.

  “If we hold Tennessee”: “Outlook Not Encouraging,” Charlotte (NC) Observer, August 11, 1920.

  “I’d let the old Capitol”: Knoxville Journal, August 11, 1920, quoted in a letter from Mary Winsor to Betty Gram Swing, July 6, 1943, in Betty Gram Swing papers, Schlesinger Library. Gram’s encounter with Walker is also related in “Outlook Not Encouraging,” Charlotte (NC) Observer, August
11, 1920; “Speaker Walker to Fight Suffrage Resolution,” Chattanooga Times, August 11, 1920; “Suffs Turning on Democrats in Tennessee,” Baltimore Sun, August 11, 1920.

  “When I came to Tennessee”: “Move Made to Block Suffrage Vote,” Memphis News-Scimitar, August 11, 1920.

  “In Tennessee whiskey”: Catt and Shuler, 442.

  “Don’t speak to her”: “Warning,” Nashville Tennessean, August 10, 1920; “Outlook Not Encouraging,” Charlotte (NC) Observer, August 11, 1920.

  accused the “liquor interests”: Flexner and Fitzpatrick, 289–90.

  “We find it impossible”: Paul to White, August 10, 1920, NWPP, LoC.

  “Her language was offensive”: “Speaker Walker to Fight Suffrage Resolution,” Chattanooga Times, August 11, 1920.

  “We are not”: “Outlook Not Encouraging,” Charlotte (NC) Observer, August 11, 1920.

  “began a vigorous opposition”: “Speaker Walker to Fight Suffrage Resolution,” Chattanooga Times, August 11, 1920.

  “It will smoke out”: Recounted in Mary Winsor to Betty Gram Swing, July 6, 1943, in Swing Papers, Schlesinger Library.

  “We are losing men”: Headquarters Secretary (Emma Wold) to Mrs. Havemeyer, August 10, 1920, NWPP, LoC.

  Riddick told Roberts: “Gov. Roberts and Alf Taylor Enter Suffrage Fight,” Memphis News-Scimitar, August 11, 1920.

  she soothed them: “Tide Ebbs and Flows,” Nashville Tennessean, August 11, 1920.

  “I have become convinced”: “Speaker Walker to Fight: Other Members Join in Opposition,” Chattanooga Times, August 11, 1920.

  reference to whispers: Abby Milton in Bucy, 236.

  summoned each man to his room: “Ratification Seems More Remote,” Chattanooga Times, August 11, 1920.

  “would be constrained”: “Suffrage Comes Up in Tennessee Today,” New York Times, August 11, 1920.

  “Cox appears worried”: Abby Scott Baker to Alice Paul, August 10, 1920, NWPP, LoC.

  “The majority for ratification”: “Suffragists Report Desertions,” New York Times, August 11, 1920; “Washington Rumors Fear for Suffrage,” Nashville Tennessean, August 12, 1920.

  Chapter 18: Terrorizing Tennessee Manhood

  He wished to introduce: House Journal, Third Day, Wednesday, August 11, 1920, 38–9, TSLA.

  “Whereas,” Bond read: Accounts in “Defeat Effort to Defer Ratification,” Nashville Banner, August 11, 1920; “House Beats Motion to Refer Suffrage,” Nashville Tennessean, August 12, 1920; “Move is Made to Block Suffrage Vote by Postponement,” Memphis News-Scimitar, August 11, 1920; “Effort to Postpone Action on Suffrage,” Chattanooga News, August 11, 1920; “Postponement Would Mean Procrastination,” Chattanooga News, August 11, 1920; and “Suffs Win in Tennessee,” Charlotte (NC) Observer, August 12, 1920.

  “Is that an anti-suffrage bomb?”: Carol Lynn Yellin et al., Perfect 36, 120, recounting a news account in Chattanooga Times, October 21, 1913; biographical details from Carol Lynn Yellin et al., 53–55, adapted from Goodstein, “Anne Dallas Dudley.”

  Joint Resolution #1: Senate actions detailed in “Defeat Effort to Defer Ratification,” Nashville Banner, August 11, 1920.

  insulting telegram from Republican chairman Hays: “Hays Asks Republicans to Insure Ratification,” New York Times, August 12, 1920; “Hays Strikes Hard for Ratification,” Chattanooga News, August 11, 1920.

  “carries out the spirit”: “Postponement Would Mean Procrastination,” Chattanooga News, August 11, 1920; “Defeat Effort to Defer Ratification,” Nashville Banner, August 11, 1920.

  Mr. Vertrees had not permitted: Vertrees’s insistance that women not lobby the legislature is discussed in Green, Southern Strategies, chapter 5, 119.

  She had suffered so long: Pearson’s belief that she’d been punished for her antisuffrage stand is repeated many times in Pearson, “My Story,” Pearson Papers, TSLA; and Wheeler, Votes for Women!, 224–42.

  “CAN ANYBODY TERRORIZE”: Pearson Papers, TSLA.

  This resolution was ridiculous: “Defeat Effort to Defer Ratification,” Nashville Banner, August 11, 1920.

  did a doubletake: “Ratificationists Score Victories,” Chattanooga News, August 12, 1920; “Suffragists Win in Test in Tennessee,” Chicago Tribune, August 12, 1920, Catt Papers, TSLA.

  Roberts had finally spoken: “Cox Encouraged by Gov. Roberts,” New York Times, August 12, 1920; “Cox Changes Plans,” Washington Post, August 12, 1920.

  causing them to view the governor: George Milton, Sr., to Gov. Roberts, August 9, 1920, Gov. Albert H. Roberts Papers, TSLA.

  they still suspected: Alice Paul to Abby Baker, August 10, 1920, and memo from Woman’s Party to Cox, August 11, 1920, both in NWPP, LoC; “Cox Urged to Go to Nashville,” Chattanooga News, August 11, 1920.

  emphasize the responsibility: Paul to Reber, August 11, 1920, NWPP, LoC.

  make sure they quote us: Florence Boeckel to Anita Pollitzer, August 10, 1920. NWPP, LoC.

  Paul had already purchased: “I shall probably go to Tennessee tomorrow,” Paul to Baker, August 10, 1920, NWPP, LoC.

  made that heartrending speech: Carol Lynn Yellin et al., 94.

  “The people of Tennessee”: “Defeat Effort to Defer Ratification,” Nashville Banner, August 11, 1920.

  “do not want suffrage”: Ibid.

  this new alliance: Kenny to Catt, January 5, 1920, Catt Papers, TSLA; Goodstein, “A Rare Alliance,” 235–38.

  Hays had spent hours: “Hays Strikes Hard for Ratification,” Nashville Banner, August 11, 1920; “Hays Asks Republicans,” New York Times, August 12, 1920.

  “The men of Tennessee”: “Defeat Effort to Defer Ratification,” Nashville Banner, August 11, 1920.

  The roll call began: Ibid.

  “call the roll up yonder”: Rep. James H. Galbraith to Tennessee League of Women Voters, June 24, 1920, and August 3, 1920, Catt Papers, TSLA; Abby Milton, “Report of the Tennessee League of Women Voters,” 1920, 10, Abby Crawford Milton Papers, TSLA.

  four Anti delegates: “Legislature to Cast Vote,” Nashville Tennessean, August 12, 1920.

  “The fight is won!”: “Suffrage Wins First Test Vote,” New York Evening World, August 11, 1920.

  “Are none sober?”: Catt and Shuler, 442.

  “The opposition has yielded”: “Legislature to Cast Vote,” Nashville Tennessean, August 12, 1920.

  “Boys, it looks like”: “Cox Encouraged by Roberts,” New York Times, August 11, 1920; “Roberts Telephones Suffrage Will Pass,” Nashville Tennessean, August 12, 1920; Washington Herald, August 12.

  cool her tapered heels: “Cox Encouraged by Roberts,” New York Times, August 11, 1920.

  bleary-eyed dawn: “Suffs Win Again,” Memphis News-Scimitar, August 12, 1920.

  The proceedings moved swiftly: “Ratificationists Score Two Victories,” Chattanooga News, August 12, 1920; “Resolution Against Lobbyists Withdrawn,” Nashville Tennessean, August 13, 1920; “Ratificationists Win Skirmish in House,” Nashville Banner, August 12, 1920.

  “Just keep it”: Anastatia Sims, “Powers that Pray and Powers that Prey: Tennessee and the Fight for Woman Suffrage,” Tennessee Historical Quarterly (Winter 1991): 217; Carol Lynn Yellin et al., 98–99.

  That Deadly Parallel: All in Pearson Papers, TSLA.

  felt a wave of sadness: Upton, Random Recollections; and Catt, 1921 letter recounting Clay and Gordon not speaking to her in Nashville, Catt Papers, LoC. In some news accounts Jean Gordon accompanied her sister to Nashville, but her participation in anti-ratification activities is not well documented.

  “rests as a heavy load”: Headquarters Secretary (Emma Wold) to Anne Calvert Neely, August 12, 1920, NWPP, LoC.

  “The women of this country”: Accounts of the debate are in “Debate Suffrage at Joint Hearing,” Nashville Banner, August 13, 1920; “Ratification is Debated Before Packed Au
dience,” Nashville Tennessean, August 13, 1920; “Harding Letter Depresses Suffs,” Memphis News-Scimitar, August 13, 1920; “Gen. Cates Turns Batteries on Traducers of Tennessee Womanhood,” Chattanooga News, August 13, 1920; “Candidate Will Not Urge Vote,” Chattanooga Times, August 13, 1920; and New York Times, August 13, 1920.

  did not go as smoothly: “Constitutional Committee Decides,” Chattanooga News, August 13, 1920; “Harding Letter Depresses Suffs,” Memphis News-Scimitar, August 13, 1920.

  “unless something miraculous”: “Expect Tennessee to Ratify Today,” New York Times, August 13, 1920.

  Chapter 19: Petticoat Government

  a “hoodoo” for ratification: “Story Resolution Meets Defeat,” Chattanooga News, August 12, 1920; “Friday, 13th, Waterloo for Somebody,” Chattanooga Times, August 13, 1920.

  “clear as mud”: “Roosevelt Attacks Hardings’ Record,” Nashville Tennessean, August 14, 1920.

  Tom Riddick’s failure: “Harding Letter Depresses Suffs,” Memphis News-Scimitar, August 13, 1920.

  found a suitable replacement: Carol Lynn Yellin et al., 102.

  Alice Paul was still in D.C.: Paul had actually purchased a ticket to Nashville, but canceled at the last minute. Her hesitancy is noted in Alice Paul to Mabel Reber, August 12, 1920; Woman’s Party secretary Emma Wold to Inez Irwin, August 12, 1920; and Wold wrote to the Pullman Company for a refund on August 12; all in NWPP, LoC.

  “If I can get”: Pearson, “My Story,” Pearson Papers, TSLA; and reprinted in Wheeler, Votes for Women!, 238.

  a throng of Suffs and Antis: Accounts of the debate and passage are in “Senate Ratifies Suffrage Amendment,” Memphis News-Scimitar, August 13, 1920; “Senate Ratifies Suffrage After Fight,” Nashville Tennessean, August 14, 1920; “State Senate Ratifies,” Chattanooga News; “Senate Ratifies by Expected Majority,” Nashville Banner, August 13, 1920; “Senators Bow Under Lash of Bosses,” Chattanooga Times, August 14, 1920; “Tennessee Senate Ratifies,” New York Times, August 14, 1920; “Upper House Votes to Ratify,” Charlotte (NC) Observer, August 14, 1920; and “Candler Hissed by Senators,” Chattanooga News, August 14, 1920. All descriptions are from these sources unless otherwise noted.