The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-03-15
s. G.
Friday Morning. March 10. 1872.
Tho Woman Suffrage Question In tho
House.

A most ridiculous debate took place in
the House. Wednesday night, on the
question Of woman suffrage. A joint re-
solution to submit an amendment to the
Constitution, comforting electoral privi
deges on women, to the people, at the
next general election, was recommended
by the joint committee to whom the
petition OF some women's rights females
had been referred, and the question
arose 'What will we do with it?" The
gallant Byas, who didn't cane the re-
porter of the News. had been one Of the
committee, and delivered one of his
forcible and learned arguments in favor
of granting suffrage to the dear ladies,
but hoped that the matter would be
postponed till the next session of the
Legislature.
Jamison, little, squatty member from
-Orangeburg, of very inky visage, took
up the cudgel against his distinguished
colleague, Byas. According to his phi
losophical and comprehensive view of
the question, woman suffrage was thing
not to be thought of. He spoke, he
said, as married man, Of thirteen years
experience, and it was his opinion that
If any more rights were conferred on
women than they now enjoy, it was all
up with the men. He thought it q
woman's place to stay at homo, attend
'the house, cook the meals and patch the
old mans breeohes, &c., and felt assured
chat all married men would agree with
him. It was only the young springald
that was aiming at making fair weather
with his duloinea, by preaching up the
rights of the sex, said he, that would
speak in favor OF the movement; but he
opined that they would all live to change
their views, if ever they married, and
profited by his lengthy experience of
thirteen years with wife,
Hurley. in his faoetious style, COM
menced to reply to Jamison, stating
that, in his opinion, any woman who
had been subjected to the misery of liv-
ing thirteen years with the member from
Orangeburg. not only deserved the right
ef suffrage, but any and oil other fran
chises, privileges or favors which legis-
lative assembly might confer upon her.
.Jamison sprang from his scot and took
Indignant exceptions to Hurley's use of
the word woman. A most ludiorous and
turbulent scene ensued, the Speaker
striving to preserve order, and Jamison
hat ta %1,n
English language, and knew what he
was talking about. As soon as quiet
was somewhat restored, Hurley stated
that, in his judgment, there was no bet
ter word in the language, nor q more
charming specimen of Gods handiwork,
than woman; that he had used the word
in no offensive sense; but, inasmuch as
it was Objectionable to the member from
Orangeburg, he would take it back, and
say that any man who had lived thirteen
years with that member was entitled, &c.
This pacified the riled husband from
Orangeburg and restored harmony. and
the whole matter was finally laid upon
the table.
Whittemore is the champion of woman
suffrage in the Legislature. and we hear
that even Mr.. Chamberlain sustains it,
and has expressed it as his legal judg-
ment, that under the terms of the late
amendments to the Constitution, women
are entitled to the franchise. If he says
80. he doubtless has some reasons for it.;
but how q sensible man can discover
anything but mass of absurdity in
Mrs. Woodhull-Clafin's exposition of
that part of the Constitution, is more
than we can see. As to the expediency
of woman suffrage, there must be grave
doubts. even though they do endure
wrongs which it is maintained that suf-
frago will cure. The object of all poiti-
cal privileges is to secure the benefits of
good and free government. Universal
male suffrage has not yet succeeded in
bettering our condition in that respect,
and until that point be determined, 1t