New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-16
Woman Suffrage in NIassa c husetts.

The inaugural address of Governor Rics
to the Legislature of Massachusetts thus
calls attention to the subject Of woman suf-
frage:
:The active discussion during recent
years, and especially in this country, re-
spectlng the political and socia! rights Of
DISTINGUISHED classes of men, resulting in
extended also to the consideration Of ths
corresponding rights of women, and has as
sumed such measure of public recognition
as to demand the thoughtful attention, both
of students of social science and OF legi&
lators. That the enfranchisement of women
would work most important change in the
structure Of society and introduce . radical
practice of our politics is instantly ap
parent. The argument in it's favor IL
presented both on the grounds of JUS
tice and expectancy, and ia sustained
By citing examples where partial trials
have been made in some of the interior or
frontier States of the Union, and by the
competent service and salutary influence Of
women in public stations to which they
have been elected without the suffrage of
their own sex. 1t is. perhaps, natural that
the majority of both sexes should still cling
to the hope of the continuance of woman
in that exalted sphere Of domestic and CO.
cial refinement where her influence has
hitherto been more potential than numbers,
and more coercive than law. There is also IN
excusabe if not commendable, conserve
tism which moves slowly toward change
in the organism OF society and OF govern
ment, the measure OF whose consequences
can not be fairly deduoed in anticipation Of
actual experience. 1t is claimed by the
friends OF women suffrage that something
more than constructive representation is the
right OF all the subjects Of taxa ion and
that therefore they should have the rightto
voice at the polls, and that those who are
eligible to hold particular Offices should
participate in the elections thereto. Under
our State constitution male persons only,
of full age, having certain other qualifea'
tons, are competent to vote for its Ii gislar
tive and executive officers; and the statutes
and the decisions of the courts in regard to
suffrage and eligibility to minor offices, for
the most part accord with the constitutional
restriction. 1t is claimed, However, that
the first section of the second article of tho
federal constitution, which provides that
the President shall be voted for by electors
chCs an by the several States in such mar
ner as their Legislatures may direc', affords
an opportunity to enlarge the basis of sui.
TRACE without the violation Of constitutional
provisions; and it is quite possible that ap
plication may be made to you for such
legislation as shall include women in that
suffrage"
This distinct and deliberate reference OF
woman suffrage, and especially of presi.
dental woman suffrage, to the attention Of
the Legislature is significant and encourag
ing. 1t not only recognizes the practical
Importance of woman suffrage as political
issue, but indicates an unm!stakable cordl-
atty of feeling on the part of the Governor
toward legislation in this direction.
The Boston Journal, commenting on the
message, observes:
woman suffrage is discussed in a cons!d-
crate it not sympathetic spirit, which shows
that whatever advance the Legislature may
make in this direction will be in no danger
Of encountering gubernatorial veto"
The Isareller sage:
HE finds that the question of enfranchis-
ing women has assumed such measure of
recognition as to demand thoughtful atten-
tion-says it would work a most important
change in the structure OF society, and that
the argument in its favor is presented both
on grounds OF justice and expediency. 1t
is apparent. however, that his excellency is
somewhat under the influence of what he
refers t. as AN excussble, if not q COM
mendable, conservatism, which moves Glow.
ly toward change in the organism of 60
ciety and of government, the measure Of
whose consequences can not be fairly de-
duoed in anticipation Of actual experience