s at
the Maxwell House. Mrs. James Beasley became chairman of the
Republican committee and ex-Governor Rye of the Men's Committee,
assisted by ex-Governors Albert A. Taylor and Ben W. Hooper and Mr.
Hal H. Clements.

Early in July Miss Marjorie Shuler, chairman of publicity of the
National Suffrage Association, was sent by it to assist. She expressed
gratification at what had been accomplished, saying: "The Tennessee
women have done wonders; they are now well organized and things look
promising for ratification." She joined with the committees in urging
Mrs. Catt to come and direct the work and she came soon after the
middle of July and remained six weeks.[174] Her first move was to
start a series of letters through the League of Women Voters to local
groups urging meetings, deputations to legislators and the return to
headquarters of their signed pledges to vote for ratification, which
later were very useful. With Mrs. Milton and with Miss Shuler in
charge of publicity, a speaking tour began at Memphis and ended in
eastern Tennessee, including all the large cities and creating much
favorable sentiment. During this trip Mrs. Catt did not hesitate to
call attention to the sinister forces which it was discovered were
working against ratification and she sent a message to Senator Harding
and Governor Cox, the presidential candidates, describing them. On
July 24 Miss Esther Ogden, a director of the National Association,
with a deputation of women, appeared before the National Democratic
Committee in session at Columbus, O., presenting a memorial from that
association, signed by Mrs. Catt, urging the committee to assume the
responsibility of achieving the ratification and she brought their
favorable answer to Nashville. The last week in July Mrs. Catt
received the following from Senator Harding: "I am exceedingly glad to
learn that you are in Tennessee seeking to consummate the ratification
of the suffrage amendment. If any of the Republican members should ask
my opinion as to their course I would cordially recommend immediate
favorable action." He sent a similar message to Senator John C. Houk,
State chairman, but later when the Harding-Coolidge League of the
District of Columbia urged him to appeal further for ratification he
answered: "You can understand why I cannot consistently urge Tennessee
legislators to vote for ratification without knowing their reasons for
such commitment as they have made. The situation is being