Richmond; the Rev. John J. Wicker, pastor of Leigh Street Baptist
Church, Richmond, and E. F. Sheffey of Lynchburg. The House vote, 40
ayes, 51 noes, marked the third defeat but an increase in suffrage
sentiment.

1918. The Legislative Committee consisted of Mrs. Valentine, Miss
Wellford, Mrs. Frank L. Jobson, Miss Clark, Miss Nora Houston and
Mrs. Munce, all of Richmond. The Federal Suffrage Amendment having now
passed the Lower House of Congress, a resolution urging the U. S.
Senate to take favorable action on the Federal Amendment was
introduced but it did not come out of committee. The Hon. William
Jennings Bryan stopped over trains to pay his respects to Governor
Westmoreland Davis. He was escorted to the Capitol by members of the
Equal Suffrage League and made a brief address to the Assembly in
joint recess, urging ratification of the Federal Amendment if
submitted in time for action at this session.[193]

RATIFICATION. The Legislature assembled August 13, 1919, in special
session for the purpose of meeting the federal appropriation for good
roads. The Federal Suffrage Amendment having been submitted to the
Legislatures for ratification on June 4 was due to be presented by the
Governor. As the special session had been called specifically for good
roads, the State Equal Suffrage League intended to await the regular
session of 1920 to press for action but to test the legislators a
questionnaire was sent to them. Answers proved that it would be
well-nigh impossible to obtain ratification at this time, even though
substantial petitions from all sections of the State were shown to men
representing the localities from which these came. Spurred on,
however, by efforts of the National Woman's Party to secure action at
any cost, the opponents succeeded in having a Rejection Resolution
railroaded through the House without debate ten minutes before
adjournment in the second week of the session. The Senate refused to
sanction such tactics and by 19 to 15 voted to postpone action until
the next session.

1920. The State league's committee on ratification was composed of
Mrs. Valentine, Miss Clark, Mrs. Bosher, Mrs. Jobson, Miss Houston and
Miss Mary Elizabeth Pidgeon.[194] Miss Josephine Miller, an organizer
for the National Association, was sent into the State toward the end
of the campaign. There were in the two Houses 61 new members who had
been elected since the Federal Amendment was submitted. Very strong
pressure to