The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1867-09-20
FEMALE SUFFRAGE IN BUTLER
COUNTY.
The People against it.
CuEIsFA. Sept. ed. 1ae7.

CHELSEA, Sept, Cd, 1867.
EDITOR Nxws: I am informed that
some Of the advocates of Impartial suff-
rage claim that majoHty of the electors
IL Butler county are in favor of their pet
scheme. Such, 7 beg leave to say, is
very great mistake.
l have often mentioned the subject in
company and haYs heard many sneak
their sentiments, bat have only heard
two men say they were in favor of the
measure. There may be more, but
will venture the assertion that not to sx-
coed six votes will be given in Butler
county in favor of striking out the word
male from sec. one of article Eve of the
constitution. I think there is among the
women of this county some five or six
turbulent, restless, uneasy, disconnected
spirits ''whO don't know what's the matt
ter with 'em," and who seem to be in hot
haste to step within the political arena and
assume masculine prerogatiVes.
The other women of the county may
be divided into two classes. First. there
are few who don't care anything about
il; would not vote if they could; would
prefer to let the matter remain as it is, but
do not think it would be anything wrong
if women should vote. The second class is
by far more numerous than the other two.
They are utterly and entirely opposed to
the agitation of the question and say
woman's place is at home amid her do
mestic and natural duties, and not assem-
bling at the polls with the roughs, nor to
be closeted in caucus with politicians,
shysters and marplots. would not like
to write all tho pet names they apply to
the ladies first referred to, whom they say
are anxions to bring themselves into noto-
riety.
was conversing with a lady on this
subject a short time ago. who is much in
favor of the change. She said, "Mr. Har-
rison, when the women vote. next fall,
the taxes in this county will not be SO
high as they are nov, nor would any more
Texas cattle be broughtintO this county"
1 suggested that women would not vote
next fall, but the question would be sub
mitted to the men to see if they were will
ling the women should vote. The old la
dy looked very indignant aud said, "yOu
can't fool me; the Legislature passed the
law last winter, for I saw it published in
the papers," think I failed to convince
her, and if our heroine is as persistent in
this matter OF suffrage as she is in almost
everything else she undertakes, there will
be one female voter in Butler county next
November.
I also learn from the papers that many
distinguished speakers, male and female,
imported for the purpose, are TO enlightsn
the people of Kansas on their political du-
ties, and that in the programme Butler
county is not forgotten. 1 think may
safely say that if any part OF the show of
Lucy Stone, Sam. Wood & Co. shall
come to Butler the people will turn out
and give them respectful hearing, but I
think it will be nothing but ''wasts of
powder" for on this question of extend-
ing the franchise, the voters have dsliber-
ately made up their minds and cannot be
wheedled or gulled by any amount of
sophistry, though it may emanate from
Chase county's magnate, or his bevy of
fascinating women. And as far as Butler
county is concerned, the irrepressible
Judge of the magnificent ninth will find
that this time be can't ''run it,
II, when the ides of November appear,
the electors of the several counties of the
State will do their duty, as know the
people of Butler will do theirs, then this
question of Impartial Suffrage will receive
its quietus and will never again be agi-
tated in Kansas. VIM. HARRISON.