WAR FINANCE CORPORATION
WASHINGTON

March 27, 1920.

PERSONAL

Hon. Thos. W. Bickett,
Governor of North Carolina,
Raleigh, N. C.

My dear Governor Bickett:

I heartily approved of your statement to the effect that when the Legislature convenes in extra session that you will urge the ratification of the Suffrage Amendment. I have felt for a long time that it would be a fine thing if North Carolina should be the 36th State.

It is somewhat doubtful now that Delaware will ratify the amendment. The Republican leaders at heart are not in favor of the ratification of the amendment. They have been trying to play politics in such a way as to make it appear that they were very anxious for ratification of the amendment before election, but as a matter of fact they have been careful to prevent this very result. The Republican Party, of course, is in control of the Legislature of Delaware. If the leaders should conclude that there was a probability that a Democratic State like North Carolina might accomplish the final ratification of the amendment, they would no doubt force the Republicans in the Delaware Legislature to ratify the amendment immediately. If on the other hand, they feel that the ratification can be postponed without the responsibility being fixed upon them they will not, in my opinion, permit the Delaware Legislature to ratify the amendment now.

In view of this situation, I have in mind that in the event the Delaware Legislature should adjourn without ratifying the amendment, that it might be well for you to call the North Carolina General Assembly in special session at once and urge ratification of the amendment, thereby giving our State and our Party the credit.

I am writing to inquire if under any circumstances you would consider calling the General Assembly in special session immediately upon the failure of the Delaware Legislature to ratify the amendment, if such a contingency should happen.

If such a course is contemplated, it would be very unfortunate to allow the Republican leaders to learn of your intention, as they would undoubtedly force the Delaware Legislature to act favorably at once and thereby claim the credit.

For some time I hesitated very much about the question of the suffrage amendment and only upon two grounds. First, while I believed that it would raise the general standard of the electorate, it might, in some degree at least, lower the present superior position of woman in the home and in our social and religious life. The other ground which caused me some misgiving was that it might inject a dangerous element into the situation in North Carolina and other Southern states to give the Federal Government control over suffrage questions. While I still have some misgiving on both of these points, I made up my mind some time ago that when the opportunity was presented I should urge ratification by our state.

Hoping that you will treat this letter in confidence, and with best wishes, I am,

Cordially, your friend,

A W. McLean

AWMcL-LP