TENNESSEE GOVERNOR MAY CALL SPECIAL SESSION TO VOTE ON SUFFRAGE AMENDMENT
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On June 24, 1920, The Evening World of New York City published a front-page article titled "Tennessee Can Legally Vote on Suffrage."
The article states that Acting Attorney General William L. Frierson* informed Tennessee Governor Albert H. Roberts** that he "could legally call a special session of the State Legislature to act on the Federal Woman Suffrage Amendment." The AG acted on behalf of President Woodrow Wilson.
The information provided by Mr. Frierson was necessary because the Tennessee Constitution provided a legislature ratifying a federal amendment must be elected after passage of said amendment. This provision, however, was nullified in a recent decision of the United States Supreme Court.
*William Little Frierson (1868-1953) was born in Shelbyville, TN & graduated from SW Prebyterian University. He practiced law before serving as mayor of Chattanooga, TN & U.S. Solicitor General. WLF was president of the TN Bar Association 1920-1923.
**Albert Houston Roberts (1868-1946) was born in Overton County, TN & educated at Hiwassee College. AHR, Governor of Tennessee 1919-1921, was instrumental in securing his state's ratification of the 19th Amendment.
SOURCE
"Tennessee Can Legally Vote on Suffrage," The Evening World, New York, N.Y., Final Edition, June 24, 1920, www.loc.gov/
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On June 24, 1920, The Evening World of New York City published a front-page article titled "Tennessee Can Legally Vote on Suffrage."
The article states that Acting Attorney General William L. Frierson* informed Tennessee Governor Albert H. Roberts** that he "could legally call a special session of the State Legislature to act on the Federal Woman Suffrage Amendment." The AG acted on behalf of President Woodrow Wilson.
The information provided by Mr. Frierson was necessary because the Tennessee Constitution provided a legislature ratifying a federal amendment must be elected after passage of said amendment. This provision, however, was nullified in a recent decision of the United States Supreme Court.
*William Little Frierson (1868-1953) was born in Shelbyville, TN & graduated from SW Prebyterian University. He practiced law before serving as mayor of Chattanooga, TN & U.S. Solicitor General. WLF was president of the TN Bar Association 1920-1923.
**Albert Houston Roberts (1868-1946) was born in Overton County, TN & educated at Hiwassee College. AHR, Governor of Tennessee 1919-1921, was instrumental in securing his state's ratification of the 19th Amendment.
SOURCE
"Tennessee Can Legally Vote on Suffrage," The Evening World, New York, N.Y., Final Edition, June 24, 1920, www.loc.gov/
William L. Frierson
Department of Justice Photo
