in and with the
Republican party to overcome this opposition, and have been
cooperating with a Republican Men's Ratification Committee formed for
this purpose, but we are apparently no nearer a special session than
we were a year ago." She then concluded:

During all this time we have had no evidence that the National
Republican Committee was really working in the State. We have
found it very difficult to reach you personally and our appeals
for specific help have been ignored. Mr. Roraback and Major John
Buckley, secretary to the Governor, have stated that he has never
been asked by you to call a session. They evidently feel, and
wish the public to understand, that the National Republican
Committee has given them a free hand to pursue their
obstructionist course. And to confirm this comes President-elect
Harding's refusal to attempt to persuade Governor Holcomb.

In the meantime, we women are being told that the Republican
party can not be held responsible, because the Governor stands
alone in his opposition! We submit that so long as the official
leaders of the party in the State are in entire harmony with him
in opposing us and the national party keeps hands off, they are
accomplices in his opposition and must be held responsible
accordingly. And we further submit that if a national party is to
come before the voters on the basis of its policies and promises,
then it must be held responsible for making those promises good
through its State branches.... If the Connecticut Republican
leaders can play a free hand without interference from the
national party, then that party faces the alternative of either
admitting powerlessness and disintegration or of being an
accomplice in the State's attitude of repudiation.

Connecticut women will remain voteless unless their State or
Vermont or a southern State ratifies. The Republican party can
help us in two ways--either by giving a solid Republican vote in
Tennessee or by putting forth a really vigorous effort in a New
England State.

The situation in Connecticut remained unchanged but about two weeks
after this interview the Tennessee Legislature ratified by means of
both Republican and Democratic votes. This made the 36th State and
Secretary Colby proclaimed the Federal Suffrage Amendment a part of
the National Constitution. Th