rtain
it I cherish the profoundest respect but this does not lessen my
obligation to lay before you a photographic copy of my mind on this
important subject. It is well known that I have never been impressed
with the wisdom of or the necessity for woman suffrage in North
Carolina." After a long speech setting forth the arguments in
opposition and quoting poetry he said: "But in the words of Grover
Cleveland, a condition not a theory confronts us. Woman suffrage is at
hand. It is an absolute moral certainty that inside of six months some
State will open the door and women will enter the political forum. No
great movement in all history has ever gone so near the top and then
failed to go over. The very most this General Assembly can do is to
delay for six months a movement it is powerless to defeat. I am
profoundly convinced that it would be the part of wisdom and grace to
accept the inevitable and ratify the amendment."

On the same day Senator Scales introduced the resolution to ratify,
which was referred to the Committee on Constitutional Amendments.
Within a quarter of an hour the committee reported favorably by 7 to
1--Senator Cloud. This prompt action was said to be not a tribute to
Governor Bickett but to Lieutenant Governor Gardner. It was introduced
into the House by minority leader H. S. Williams (Republican) and
referred to the Committee on Constitutional Amendments.

Senator Scales, floor leader in the Senate for ratification, and
Senator Lindsay Warren, floor leader for the opposition, agreed that
the resolution to ratify should come up for discussion August 17. So
great was the excitement that by order of the Senate the gallery space
was divided, the east wing being assigned to the ratificationists, the
west wing to the rejectionists. An impassioned debate continued about
five hours, Senator Carr opening for ratification, followed by
Senators Sisk, Long of Halifax, Lovell and Glidewell, with Scales
closing. The opposition was led by Senator Warren, followed by
Senators Beddingfield, Thompson and Conner. When agreement to vote was
reached and the prospect for ratification was favorable, Senator
Warren suddenly interposed a resolution to defer action until the
regular meeting of the Legislature in 1921. Senator Scales had no
intimation that this move would be made until it was too late to
prevent it and the vote stood 25 ayes, 23 noes. Blame for the defeat
was placed to a large extent upon Senator Stacy. Had