Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-10-02
WoRCEST E R
MONDAY, OCTOBER e, 1871.


The Woman's Journal states that the Worces'
cor snv is one of the papers which did not $50
mach os allude to the subject" the woman
suffrage question: in its account of what was
done in the republican state convention. This
isa very grave mistake. If the editor of the
Womaus Journal will read our report of the
proceedings, she will see that everything con-
nccted with this subject was mentioned distinct
"; the memorial with the names signed to it,
and the resolution offered for reference by Gen.
Briggs. The resolutions aopted by the conven-
ton were, Of course, published in full. The
memorial Of the Massachusetts Woman Suffrage
Association, signed, as we said, by James Free
man Clarke and Julia Ward Howe was as fol-
lows:
"To the Republican Party of Massachusetts
in State Convention assembled The Massachu-
sets Woman Suffrage Association respectfully
request the republican party of Massachusetts,
in state convention assembled, 10 adopt reso-
luio affirming the right of women to the cleo
tive franchise under our form of government,
and to take such other measures as in its judy
meut seem best calculated TO enable the women
Of Massachusetts to exercise this right Women
have the same personal and property rights as
mem they should have the same power to pro-
feet their rights In a republican government
selEprotection takes the political form of Suf
trage. Women pay taxes, and should have
voice in the amount and expenditure of taxes.
Women obey laws, and should have voice in
their enactment. Impartial suffrage for men
and women will prove the only effectual safe
guard of individual rights and personal liberty
the only practical guarantee against corrupt
political combinations and class legislation
The resolution offered by Gen. Briggs, was
prompted by meeting of citizens of Pittsfeld,
men and women, which requested the delegates
from that town to use their influence in behalf
of woman suffrage. 1t was as follows:
Resolved, that the republican party of Mas.
sachuSettS is mindful of its obligations to the
loyal women Of America for their patriotic de-
vOtion to the cause of freedom; that we rejoice
in the late action of state legislatures in
recognizing the fitness of women for pubic
trust, and that in view of the great favor which
the movement has received from many of the
republican party the subject of suffrage for
women is a question that deserves the most
careful and respectful consideration.
The committee on resolutions, also, gave atten-
ton to the matter, and reported the result of
their deliberations, as follows:
"Resolyed, that the republican party of Mas
sachuSetts is mindful of It's obligations to the
loyal women Of America for their patriotic de-
yoIion to the cause of freedom; that we rejoice
in the LATE action of our state legislature in
recognizing the fitness OF women for public
trusts, and that in view of the great favor which
the movement has received from many OF the
republican party, the subject Of suffrage for
women is one that deserve; most careful and
respectful consideration.
This was adopted, and it was about all that
can be done by the state organization of the re-
publican party without driving out of it all
those who are not yet persuaded that woman
suffrage ought to be established. 1t encourages
those who favor this measure TO work in behalf
of it within the party, while it does not make it
party test. To ask the state organization to
20 much further than this, would be asking it
to put under ban aud excommunicate every re-
publican whose present views do not allow him
TO endorse policy which other republicans
readily endorse and advocate. We cannot sup
pose that many of the woman suffrage republi-
cans are ready to grant demand which would
place the party in this position. They arc
themselves ready to talk, act and vote in behalf
of woman suffrage; but they are not ready 10
declare, either directly or indirectly, that none
shall be recognized, nominated, or voted for, as
good republicans, unless they formally endorse
and advocate woman suffrage.