The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1875-11-12
WOMAN SUFFRAGE BEFORE THE
". 7. LEGISLATURE.


The friends of Weman Suffrage in
Washington Territory, although they
have not, during the past two years,
made noisy demonstrations, have yet
been quietly at work, and have again
presented to the honorable body which,
from some cause not clearly apparent
tn the woman of average ability, is sup
posed to be vested with the power and
right to define the sphere and prescribe
the duties of the disfranchised portion
of the Territory, bill asking that the
elective franchise be bestowed upon the
women within her border, and again
have the members thereof, with arro-
CANT assumption of superiority, said to
them, nay. Not all of the members,
however. No, only very small ma
iority of them, and the friends of the
bill, so far from feeling discouraged, ex-
perience sensations akin to triumph.
We submit the following extract from
the regular report of the dOings of the
Territorial Legislature, as published in
the Oregonidn::
House bill lis having been made the special
order for to-day at P. n, quite large number
OF ladies were present at that hour in the
legislative halls, together with a considerable
number of the sterner sex, to hear the debate
on the subject of granting TO women the right
10 vote. His ExceIlency Governor Ferry was
also present during the debate, and took his
seat on the left of the Speaker. The ball was
opened by the member from Cowlitz, Mr.
LaDa, who read most ably written essay in
opposition to the bill, which was listened to
with interest and attention by all present, its
delivery occupying about twenty-five minutes.
The Speaker, Mr.. Evans, having called Mr.
Ringer 10 the chair, took the floor in support of
the bill, and, after apologizing for his want of
preparation on the subject, owing to sickness
in his family and other matters, he proceeded
in the most business-like manner TO sweep
away every objection made by his opponent to
the bill, not leaving him even the ghost of a
chance TO recover lost ground. The points
made by the learned gentleman were innumer-
able, his eloquence unsurpassed, and had he
been defending a prisoner from sentence of
death he could not possibly have used greater
efforts than on this occasion. On taking his
seat, Mr.. Evans was greeted with a round of
applause, which could hardly be suppressed
by the Speaker.
Mr.. Hughes, the member from King county,
addressed the House for some time, in opposi-
tion to the bill, and at the conclusion of his re-
marks, it was moved and carried that an invi-
taJiOn be extended to any lady or gentleman
present to come within the bar and speak on
the bill, but unfortunately no one arose imme-
diately, which was taken advantage of by the
enemies Of the bill, and the question on its
passage was called for.
The following was the result of the vote In
favor Of Woman Suffrage-Messrs Abrams,
pouthit, Grinnell, Lynch, Miller, Newland
Richardson, Ruth, Whitney, Wood, Mr.
Speaker; II. Against-Messrs. Cooke, Craw-.
ford, Foster, Hannah, Hodgis, Hughes, Hunt
ington, Karr, Kelly, LaDu, Ringer, Russell,
Shrum, Scott and Wimpy; I5. Absent with
leave Messrs. Ferguson, Harmon, Harris.
Paired-Mr. Lloyd. So the bill was lost, to the
regret OF all its friends; and probably the
matter Of Woman Suffrage will be over for two
years longer, unless Congress does something
in the meantime regarding it, The majority
against the bill last session was six. This ses-
sion it will be three, a clear gain of three in
two years.
Post these names-ayes and noes-in
conspicuous places, women of Washing
ton Territory, and see to it that you use
the influence which all men proclaim to
he as powerful as the ballot, to prevent
the future election of any one of those
who, by their votes, declare that women
should be taxed without representa-
tion and governed without consent"
These men have assumed the right, and
hold to it, in defiance of your oft-re-
peated remonstrance aud frequent petit
tion, to 'legislate for you in all cases
whatsoever" See to it that they do
not again get an opportunity to declare
in high places that you are fit to cope
Intellectually only with Cinnamon and
idiots, and that your proper place, po-
litically, is in the catalogue with crimi-
nails. Try the strength of this "Influ-
ence" about which opponents of equal
rights prate so much and so loudly, and
and if it is not strong enough to keep
the enemies Of your political advance
nent from welding a power to your
detriment, be assured that it lacks the
elements of self-protection which you
seek.
''Thrice is he armed who hath his quarrel just .
and the most persistent of our oppo-
nen.s no longer doubt the justice of oui
demands, although they never tire OF
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