Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-12-01
Correspondence of The Journal
Woman's Rights In the Vermont Lcgis-
lature.

In the proposition TO allow females paying taxes
in support Of common schools, to vote ut school
district meetings, recently before the Legislature,
there is conservative principle as old as the
State and Nation. Tdraiion rfhom rcpresen-
iaiion" was one of the grievances sought 10 be
rcdrcsscd by the fathers Of our country in our
war for independence Those who support the
government, and are subject to It's burdens,
should hive a voice in its policy and administro-
ton. The men who talked Of unsettling the Or
der of society, in allowing the measure TO pass
may 20 back two centuries and find their argu-
mcnts applied in opposing the idea of any popu-
lar franchise whatever senator's in Holland
were at first chosen by the popular voice; but
the Senate soon grow into o close corporation. 10
avoid popular tumult, when vacancy occurred
il was filled by the remaining Scnators-the Nom
bors Of the body claiming their Office for life
See Sir W illam Temples Letters from the Low
Countries. Even the great Charter Of England
knew nothing of the rights Of man as man, but
only treated Of the relative rights of the subordi
nate grades Of the aristocmcy with respect e
their supcriors, and It was only by judicial
accommodation that the principles 1t eliminated
were applied to sustain the right Of the common
atty. But the Judges never for long centuries dis
covered that magma charta' vested any poliu
cal franchise in the mas.e, though this is called
The charter Of English liberty lfcon.cryatsm.
oruncient customs arc 10 be the rule, the modern
radical innovation of the rights Of man, as en-
bracing the popular political franchise, might q.
well be discarded.
Thepretcnce that women, dear creatures, would
not vote in school meetings if allowed, and iher
refuse them o. chance. is a mean sort Of c0uscna
tism. It is as much as 90 say % the ladies, "yol
are so modest, So reserved So dclintely retiring
you would not do So vulgar thing as to vote DO
school meetings 100 matters affecting Che dearest
interest you can chcrish-thc education OF youi
children but, we still fear o. trust you, and, a-
Bcnanger said. we will keep You qad IN an Old
resirqiRt You would NOT vote il YOU had p
chance, but we will not give You a chance, lest
you should
The one hundred and twenty three member.
who voted agains. this measure, 90 preserve old
land marks (dlty years old) expressed o. doubtful
confidence in their wives and daughters, and adj
mitted virtually that their own domestic indu.
cucc, ia per,ualing them b respect the propric
ties of life, was not to be trusted. The aid o
the law must be had to induce this domestic dis
cipline.
Ghi, simple question, not in any manner asso
ciated with politics aud not affected By the pres
enee or celebrations of str1ng-mindei advocate
of females suffrage, with no disgust 81, ongendcr
ed, deserved better treatment at the hands %
honorable and generous men. But / have n,
doubt that the nlnety-two supporting this meas
urc feel that il they have erred It's better TO cr
on the side Of lbcmlty, than MS the champion
Of blgotry