rom the Federal and not from the State
constitution, and that the Governor has no responsible part in
the transaction except as custodian of the amendment when it
comes from the Federal Secretary of State and returns to him with
the Certificate of Ratification? Then why profess such a burden
of personal responsibility in the matter?

You pretend to fear "an invasion of State's Rights" and take upon
yourself the responsibility of preserving "the foundations of
free popular government." Then why did you veto the Presidential
suffrage bill passed by the Legislature of Vermont in 1919, which
was strictly a State action and conferred the vote upon the women
of Vermont alone?... Your national party convention in 1920
called for completion of ratification in time for women to vote
for the next President. Your party's National Committee in the
interim of conventions took action three times--once asking
Congress to submit the amendment; once favoring early
ratification and once calling upon Republican Governors to call
special sessions in order that ratification might proceed. Your
State party convention, your party's State Committee, your State
Legislature, hundreds of Vermont women, the chairman of the
National Republican Committee and the chairman of your State
Republican Committee, the candidate for President of your
party--all have asked you to call a special session.... You owe
it to the Republican party and to the world to explain your
assumption of an authority that belongs to your party leaders. By
what right do you make this assumption? Governor Clement, tell it
all!"

The total cost of the efforts to secure a special session was $7,442,
of which the National Association paid $2,578 and the Leslie Woman
Suffrage Commission $4,864.[188]

Following the convention of the State association at St. Albans, July
1, 2, 1920, Miss Ludington explained the purpose of the National
League of Women Voters and the association was dissolved and a State
league organized with Mrs. Lilian Olzendam chairman.

The Vermont suffrage association was fortunate in always having the
support of other State organizations, the Woman's Christian Temperance
Union, Grange, Federation of Labor, Teachers' Association, Federation
of Women's Clubs, Young Women's Christian Association and, in the
closing years, of all polit