Debates in the Senate on the Nineteenth Amendment, 1919

June 3, 1919

8 min read
1: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 1 (Senate1919.Jun3.1)

Mr. wATSON. Mr. President, I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration of House :joint resolution No . .1, which is also No. 1 on the calendar, proposing an amendment to the Constitution extending the right of suffra-ge to women.

2: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 2 (Senate1919.Jun3.2)

The motion was .agreed to; .and the ' Senate, tts in Committee of the Whole, proeeeded to ~onsider the joint r olution (H. :r. Res. ~) J>roposing an amendment t.o the Constitutlon erlending the right o.f suffrage to w.omen, whiCh the Secretary : read, n.s Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives ot the United States of America in Oo11gt·ess assembled _ (two-thirds of each House concurring therein), That the following article is propo ed as an amendment to the Constitution, which shall be valid to · all intents and purposes as part of the · Constitution when .ratified by the 1cglslatur s of three-fourths of the several States: ·

4: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 4 (Senate1919.Jun3.4)

"~be right of citizens of ttbe United States to vote shall not be denied or "Congress' abridged 1 bv shaH the United have power States to 'Or by eniorce any State this on article account by o1 a,ppropr-iate sex. legislation.”

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5: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 5 (Senate1919.Jun3.5)

Mr. WATSOl\'. l\!r. President, it is: not my.r purpose - to enter upon any extended discussion of this proposition. It has been discussed as have but few other questions that have ever en­ Ashurst gaged the thought and the attention of the- American people. Hearings - ha:ve been repeatedly he!& by committees- of both House and S-enate on: this question . in the . past. It lias .been Calder debated on the floor of both bodies- and has been discussed throughout the country in every - forum where the people are -­ wont to gather to listen to public discussions; What is needed Cummins now is action and not speech. Therefore, so far as- I am concerned, n shall enter. upon no debate touching the merits- of · this proposition-, which a:re well' understood throughout the country. Elkins

6: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 6 (Senate1919.Jun3.6)

The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The · joint resolution . is be- fore the Senate as in Co:mmittee of the Whole and open to amendment.

7: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 7 (Senate1919.Jun3.7)

Mr. HARRISON. Mr. President, :E desire to offer an amend- ment and have it pending.

8: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 8 (Senate1919.Jun3.8)

The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The amendment will - be stated.

9: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 9 (Senate1919.Jun3.9)

The Secretary. On line 9, page - 1, it ia proposed · to - insert; before the word " citizens," the word " white," so that it will read:

10: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 10 (Senate1919.Jun3.10)

The right . of white citizens to vote­

12: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 12 (Senate1919.Jun3.12)

The · PRESIDEJl\T ' pro tempore. The question is. on. the amendment proposed by the Senator from Mississippi.

13: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 13 (Senate1919.Jun3.13)

Mr. REED and Mr. WATSON addressed the Chair;

14: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 14 (Senate1919.Jun3.14)

The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Missouri:

15: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 15 (Senate1919.Jun3.15)

Mr. WATSON. If the Senator will permit me-, r: should like to suggest the absence of a quorum.

16: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 16 (Senate1919.Jun3.16)

Mr. REED. I rose to make an inquiry at this- time: I wanted to - ask the Sena:tor if he intended to urge this amendment, or- if he intended · to have it printed.

17: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 17 (Senate1919.Jun3.17)

1\lr. HARRISON. T desire a: vote on the amendment.

19: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 19 (Senate1919.Jun3.19)

1\fr. R.A:.RRlSDN. JU:y own idea is that the amendment is thoroughly understood, and: r do not' care ta delay. the vote on the main proposition. r do not think anything more can be said than Senators already understand, , and . personally I do not particularly care · to debate it.

20: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 20 (Senate1919.Jun3.20)

1\fr. REED; The reason why I asked : the question was that when the Sena:tor sent up his" amendment he said, . it I heard him COlTeetiy, that he desired to have it printed.

21: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 21 (Senate1919.Jun3.21)

1\fi• • . HARRISON. No · ; · Jl said "pending."

22: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 22 (Senate1919.Jun3.22)

1\fr: REED. I misunderstood the- Senator, then.

23: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 23 (Senate1919.Jun3.23)

The PRE8-IDEN'l' pro tempore. The question is on the amendment offered ' by the Senator from Mississippi.

24: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 24 (Senate1919.Jun3.24)

l'tfr. FLETCHER. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

25: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 25 (Senate1919.Jun3.25)

The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Secretary will call t11e roll.

26: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 26 (Senate1919.Jun3.26)

The · Secretary called the roll , and 1 the following Senators. 3Th swered to their names : .Ashurst Harding McLean Smith, Md . BalL Harris McNary Smith,&. C. Beckham Harrison Moses Smo-ot Brandegee Henderson Myers Spencer Calder Johnson, Calif. Nelson Stanley Capper Jones, N.Mex. New Sterling Chamberlain Jones, . Wash. Newberry Sutherland c-ummins Kellogg Norris Swan-son Curtis Kendrick Nugent Thomas Dial Kenyon: Overman Trammell Dillingham Keyes Page Wadsworth Ed~e King Phelan Walsh, Mass. Elkins Kirby Phipps Walsh, Mont. Fall Knox Pittman Warren Fernald La Follette Poindexter Watson Fletcher Lenroot P.omerene Williams France Lodge Ransdell Wolcott Fr-elinghuysen McCormick Re.ed . Gay McCumber Sheppard Hale McKellar Sherman

27: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 27 (Senate1919.Jun3.27)

Mr. HARRIS. My: colleague, the seni.or Senator from: Georgia [1\fr. SMITH], is detained by illness. .

28: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 28 (Senate1919.Jun3.28)

l\lr. KING . . I wish to announce that . the Senator from Oklahoma [Mr. Gore], the Senator from. Arkansas [Mr. RoBINSON _ and the Senator from Arizona [Mr. SMITHI are necessarily absent from the Senate.

29: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 29 (Senate1919.Jun3.29)

The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Seventy-seven Senators have answered to their names. There is a quorum present. The question is upon the amendment offered by the Senato:r: from Mississippi [Mr. Harrison].

30: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 30 (Senate1919.Jun3.30)

[Mr. REED addressed the Senate. See Appendix,]

31: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 31 (Senate1919.Jun3.31)

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question before · the Senate is the amendment of the Senator from. Mississippi CM:r.. HARlliSON]. .

32: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 32 (Senate1919.Jun3.32)

Mr. GAY. I suggest the absence - of a quorum.

33: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 33 (Senate1919.Jun3.33)

~e PRESIDING OFFI.CER. The Secretary will call the roll Gny

34: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 34 (Senate1919.Jun3.34)

The Secretary called the roll, and. the following Senators answered to- their names :

36: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 36 (Senate1919.Jun3.36)

Ball Harding McNary Smoot Borah Harris Moses Spencer Brandegee Harrison Myers, Stanley

38: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 38 (Senate1919.Jun3.38)

Capper Johnson, Calif. New Sutherland Chamberlain J"ones, N.Mex. Newberry Swanson Culberson Jones, Wash; Norris Thomas

40: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 40 (Senate1919.Jun3.40)

Curtis Kendrick Page Underwood Dial Kenyon Phelan Wadsworth Edge Keyes Phipps Walsh, Mass.

42: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 42 (Senate1919.Jun3.42)

Fall La Follette · Poindexter Warren Fernald Lenroot Ransdell Watson Fletcher Lodge Reed Williams France McCormick Sheppard' Wolcott Frelinghuysen McCumber Sherman Gay McKellar Smith, Md.

43: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 43 (Senate1919.Jun3.43)

The PRESIDENT pro - tempore-resumed the chair.

44: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 44 (Senate1919.Jun3.44)

l\1r. JONES of Washington. _ The - junior S-enator from - North Dakota [Mr. GRONNA] is. absent on account of illness. The senior Senator from Michigan LMr . TowNSEND] is- necessarily absent on account. of. illness in h~Er family.

45: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 45 (Senate1919.Jun3.45)

l\f'r WALSH of Montana. I desire to announce · that the Sena.- · tor from Nebraska [Mr. HITCHCOCK] is absent from the city on important public · business. .

46: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 46 (Senate1919.Jun3.46)

Mr. McKELLAR. I desire · to · announce. that the- sem01: Senator from Tennessee · [Mr. SHIELDs] is absent on important business. Mr. . . KIR-BY. I · announce the- unavoidable absenc:e. o.:frthe senior Senator from Arkansas (Mr; ltoiiTNSONI on public business-.

47: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 47 (Senate1919.Jun3.47)

Tile PRESIDENT p:r:o . tempore. Seventy--four Sen:ators · haveanswered ; to their names. There is , a quorum present. The question is on the amendment or the- Senator from Mississippi [Mr. FI.AlmrSON T.

48: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 48 (Senate1919.Jun3.48)

M1: HARRISON. on - that I ask fm: the yeas- anlf nays. -

49: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 49 (Senate1919.Jun3.49)

The yeas · and nays were ordered and the Secretary p:t:Q"­ ceeded to calL the rolL

50: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 50 (Senate1919.Jun3.50)

1\Ir. UNDERWOOD - ( : when MT: BAN.KHEAD's , name w.as-cn:lled) I wish to announce the absence of rrzy colleague [_MI:. B.ANKHEAD] from the Chamber-on account of illness-.

51: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 51 (Senate1919.Jun3.51)

Mr. TRAMMELL (when his · name- was called). I have. a pair with the senior Senator from Rhode , Island .1}\~r .• CoLT]. r transfer that pall; to · the senior Senator from V1rgrma. [Mr. Martin] and vote "yea."

52: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 52 (Senate1919.Jun3.52)

Mr. WILLIAMS (when his name w.as : called) . . Has theseniru: Senator - from Pennsylvania [1\fi: P&mroSE] voted? . The. PRESIDEJNm pro tempore. That Senator has not v:oted. 1\fr.: WILLI.A:MS. . r ha'.ve a _ standing _ pair with that Senator. I transfer. the: · pair to the : Senater from Tennessee [M:r. SH'IELilS] and vote " yea."

54: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 54 (Senate1919.Jun3.54)

1\ir: NEWBERRY. M~ colleague [Mr. TGWNB-E1iTJ:JJ' is detained. air home on account of illness in- his family. .

55: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 55 (Senate1919.Jun3.55)

Mr. DILLlNGHAM. May L inquire- it the- Senator from M.aryland [Mr. SMITH] has- v:oted . ?.

56: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 56 (Senate1919.Jun3.56)

The PRESIDENT pro · tempore: That senator has not voted.

57: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 57 (Senate1919.Jun3.57)

Mr. DILLINGHAM. r have a _ general pair with ;. him andwithhold my: vote. If permite:d to vote, . L would vote " nay."

58: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 58 (Senate1919.Jun3.58)

Mr . . C.A.LDEIL On · the - final. vote upon the question - I alii' paired with , the senim· Senat.or-ftom Michigan [_MI. ToWNSENn1 _ and the seniorr Senator from £enn~lvania [1\IIr. PENRo.SE]~ If they were pre ent, they would vote. on this: que _ stion . the _ same way as I v.ote.; an<t therefure Il vote . . I. vote "nay."

59: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 59 (Senate1919.Jun3.59)

Mr. ASHURs-T. 1 wish to announce · that my · colleague [Mr. S];UTH of: Arizona] is unavoidably absent to-day, a:nd that i:t present, he - would vote. " nay . . " ·

60: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 60 (Senate1919.Jun3.60)

Mr. SWANSON. I desire to 3JlllOunce that my . colleague [Mr. MARTIN] is. detained from the city on account af illness. f£ present, he would. vote- " . :yea."

61: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 61 (Senate1919.Jun3.61)

l\Ir. KELLOGG (after having voted in:: tire nega.tiv.e). I have received a note from the Senator from North Carolina [Mr. SIMMONs] in which he stated that he desired: rrre: to protect him on all matters except. the finaL v.ote on. woman suffrage; On the question of woman suffrage- the Senator from N-orth Carolina is paired . with the Senator from Arkansas [Mr. RoBINSON] and the Senator from Arizona [Mr. SMITH:]. I - have notthe-lette:r before me, and I therefore withdraw my vote. ·If permitted to vote-, . I should vote - " nay.”

62: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 62 (Senate1919.Jun3.62)

l\fr. HARRIS . . I wish . to announce that my colleague, the ­ senior Senator from Georgia [1\I:r. SMI'DH.lr is detained by illness . The result was announce<L-yeas - 16* , mcys 59, _ as - follows:

64: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 64 (Senate1919.Jun3.64)

Borah. Harris Overman Trammell Dial Harrison Phelan Underwood Fletcher McKellar Smith, S.C. Williams

67: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 67 (Senate1919.Jun3.67)

Ashurst Frelinghuysen McCormick Ransdell Ball Hale McCumber Sheppard Back ham Harding McLean Sherman Brandegee Henderson McNary Smoot Calder Johnson, Calif. Moses Spencer Cappel" Jones, N. Mex. Nelson Stanley Chamberlain Jones, Wash. New Sterling CulbE-rson Kendrick Newberry Sutherland Cummins Kenyon Norris Thomas Curtis KE-yes Nugent Wadsworth Edge Kirby Page Walsh, Mass. Elkins Knox Phipps Walsh, Mont. Fall La Follette Pittman Warren Fernald Len root Poindexter Watson France Lodge Pomerene

69: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 69 (Senate1919.Jun3.69)

Bankhead Hitchcock Penr-ose Smith, Ga. Colt Johnson, S. Dak. Reed Smith, Md. Dillingham Kellogg Robinson 'l'ownsend Gerry King Shields Gore Martin Simmons Gronna Owen Smith, Ariz.

70: Senate, June 3, 1919, ¶ 70 (Senate1919.Jun3.70)

So Mr. IlARRISON's amendment was rejected.

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