The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-07-13

REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE IN THE AAssA-
oHusETrs CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
The FOLLOWING Ii the report Of the Comnitscn Quail
6eatior of Voters in the CoDvontcn, 4,
whom referred the petition Of FrAncts Jackson and
Others that the word male be strisken from the cou
tution, and also Of Abby Aoott and ther women Of
Massachusetts that they may be allowed TO vote ON ths
endments that may be made to the constitution =
REPORT:
That the petitioners have leave to withdraw.
The muiittse feel that making this report, they
should not co justice 10 themselves or 70 the integsaI
the ieasoDs which their conclusion is founded.
The petitioners ask that women may be allo~sd the
right OF suffrage in ma.srr pertaining TO political affairs
The request Ia novel and 30 FAR as known TO the
committee the first presented to AM government or
other political organization.
the ieqneht of the petitioners hearing grant
ed hem ~o different slttngs OF the committee, aud
patrn attDticp given to the arguments presented b9
rsr.cns 81 Earring and sbilty Of both sexes who ap
pearsd in their <baf These persons maintained the
following pIopOstoDs:-
l. 3ba, women human beings and. therefore have
human rights Of which is that OF having voice in
The government under which they live and in the
II OF laws they are bound tn obey.
z That women have interests and rights, which are
not in fact sud never viii BE- sufficiently qua ded ~
n.nts in which they are not io7ed any political
inGue, ce.
Ibat thsy are taxed and therefore, since taxation
ard the right Of approximation admitted to be nse
parable. they have riaht 70 be represented.
That 20 lar education and general Intelligence ars
ed they se qualified
tive franchise as many who en- Joy That right.
8. That in mental capacity ard moral endowmenss,
-o
That there is nothing in their peculiar position
appropriate duties which prevents them IRON tAkfog .
part in political affairs.
of the trut or faacy Of these several POSITIONS the
committee do not feel called upon to decide
All questions involving The r hts and interests OF any
part 81 the human family should ever be determined oy
we'll esaos he'd and generally recognized principle
entail maxim OF government other wise IL
rot be expected that such decision will be regarded as
ress oDa bic or satisfactory.
Upon what principle them shall the present question
The Declaration of Independence asserts that call
governments derive their just powers from the consen,
II the governed BY the consent Of the governed
lie understand the consent either express
implied Of the PERI concerned. Az the present time
there are within ,he Safe of Massa chusst.s not f.I
from eco 600 women twenty one years Of age o.
these les 1hsn two hous and have asked to be admitted
to the right Of outrage From this fact the COMMITTEES
ba ght 10 infer, and also from ther PERSONAL know
ledge of The views and feeling. of the class Of
eIred TO- that great majority OF the women IN disi
causets do -iBg consent tnat tae government OF tht
their fathers husbands brothegs and Vi the
recDers OF this conclusion the committee entertain nc
doubt
may be said In reply to this that IL crnnct be justly
inferred from the .ilsDce Of the Of
that they 90 consent to the present OF N.
right Of Suffrage But the committee d. iufer bee
they know that the women Azores Go now and alway
have enjoy ed the right Of petition to the fullest
ard bave often txsrci ed that right in behalf Of the
fortuI and essed and in aid OF many NOBLE
pbilap hroyc ob cts of legislation Ia IL be
eved that more than SO 600 women pettoaed tina
raj Court for the of Ia for the suepre so!
Of the sale Of intoxicating drinks
1t may be further urged that BY the same course
reascnpg il might BE- sho that those VINO held Il
bondage the laws under which they live. Blu
this is not trne Slayee have right Of petition Ta..
cannot make known their wants to the government Tae
speechless AId helpes Their whole IS
stern vlpg protest against the wrongs they safer
and hey ae kept in subsection only by the strong arr
OF power
10 view Of these indisputabe facts il relation to to
right of petition in this common wealth enoyed by ell il
1h bante Of both sexes the committee 'ee uai led il
cidrg that vast proportion Ct the of Massa
chusets do consent u their political condition And
therefore that tbe powers exercised by the governmep
OF this that class of its population
jurt powers and IL is inexpetent for this
ton to take any action IN relation thereto.
AMAsA WALKER Chairman.