December 16, 1919 Mr. Robert Haley Bennington Vermont

Dear Sir:- No doubt you have heard that the Vermont Equal Suffrage Association is exerting every effort to influence Governor Clement to call a special session of the legislature for the purpose of ratifying the Federal Suffrage Amendment.

Many of the best men of the state are giving us their support and a legislative Committee is working for us under the leader- ship of Senator Howland of Barre. Would it be possible for you to add your valued assistance in securing such special session by being one of a small group of influential citizens to call upon the Governor and urge the necessity of this step as one of progress not only for our State but for the Nation as well? Your fellow-townsman, Mr. John Spargo, has consented to be one of such a delegation and we are asking Mr. Collins Graves to be another. The V.E.S.A. will gladly bear the expense of such a visit.

Of course you know that 22 states have already ratified the amendment, including the largest of the New England states, Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, making Vermont an island of conservatism surrounded on all sides by full suffrage terri- tory.

In order that all the women of the Nation may be equally enfran- chised in time to vote in Presidential Primaries, Vermont must come forward and take her place among the 36 necessary states; the only way this can be accomplished is by holding a special session of the legislature.

We shall greatly appreciate your cooperation in this matter and await your reply.

Very truly yours, Chairman of Ratification for Vermont