The New York herald., 1876-03-05
woMEN's RIGHTS.

Anopkp1E SUCCESS OF FEMALE SUFFRAGE IN
MAssAcHUsKTTs--THH BILL PENDING IN THE
IEcrsIATURE-THE PRoHIBrrIoNIsTs AND
LABOR REFoRMERs wuLNG-THE COMING
ALDERwoMAH.
BosroS March 2 1915
After many years Of industrious agitation there is at
length moro than even prospect that the suf
Yrage movement is likely TO something here
In Massachusetts. For quarter OF century the
subject has boon forced upon the attention OF the
munity in various ways Every New England State
has its own organization, and OF late years there has
been New England Association with headquarters in
Boston and whose chief object seems to have been to
work upon the feelings and patience OF the Massachu
setts Legislatures OF the past years Every winter
there has been Of hearings and persisently
have its friends pushed the cause that they have
finally brought the lawmakers TO seriously consider
their demands, and subject heretofore treated with
either contempt rdicule is beginning to be en-
tertancd with downright earncs!nesS
GOVERNOR RICH PAYoRABLE.
Governor Rice the present Chief Magistrate, is the
drst who has had the courage TO come out squarey IN
favor universal suffrage In his inaugural address,
delivered in January, he declared himself unequivo
caly friendly the cause and there is not therefore,
tho slightest doubt that favorable legislation viii
meet with his prompt aud hearty approval
rnE BILL BEFORE TuE LEGIsLAruRE
Following several hearings a joint special commit
tee upon the subject reported bill IN the Senate the
other day and 1t is undergoing earnest and
vigorous discussion. That there large number Of
women interested in it is manifested by the crowds
who throng the gallery daily to listen TO the debate
Tho bill gives "svory woman" over twentyone
years OF age and with the other quali1ca-
tons required of men, who has paid any assessed
AnOn her " WO ripht q nj
town and municipal officers and all town and muni-
cipal questions, and to hold any town municipal
office to which she may be elected appointed From
present indications the bill likely pass and
the community may, therefore, begin prepare for the
novelty oil the
PRESENCE OF THE FAIR SIX
NJ tho ballot box at no very distant day The rare
spectacle of buxom matron or a shy maiden on the
jury administering justice in OF the district
courts Is also among the immediate possibilities here IN
Massachusetts is assumed that there are 100000
women In tho State twenty-onc years OF age,
$4,000 OF whom are taxpayers and 900 OF whom have
pettioned to The present Legislature for law similar
added 10 the polling lists al once This mum
S SO sSa it IS Eo 20 Ss The
wedge that will split this whole momcntous question Of
esting and significant fact that the "a, 600 women tax
payers alluded to above own in their own right prop
ery amounting to $lSl 6ss 1893 and pay thereon nearly
81, 900, 900 in taxes
TIN DISCUSSION IN THE SENATE
The bill has under debate in the Senate
era days, and numerous and powerful arguments nave
been advanced in favor OF It, Even Dr. Loring the
President OF that body took the moor on the nrst day
eoquenco in advocating favorite measure The Doc
eor, it should be known, is an unusually handsome
man. and 1t is to be presumed that the fair in the
galleries proud in having such gallant champion
In their behalf Ho discussed the measure in all its
possible bearings and regarded the passage OF the bill
as great step toward tho perfection OF Republic
which was founded century ago by our freedom
toving fathers The bill will probably be discussed at
great length both the Senate and House, but OF its
hnal passage there seems to DO but little doubt.
rRoHBIT1oSsTs AND LABOR REFoRMEEs.
AS TO be expected the prohibiionsts and labor
reformers proong the sckly existence or their
organizations by identifying themselves with any pro-
gressive movement not diamericay opposed to them.
1t is to be presumed as fact that the women are uni
versally opposed TO the rum traffic and it is therefore,
not unlikely that they themselves will welcome the
prohbitionlsts to their ranks Some OF the men,
however, who favor the womens movement
reform introduced. 1t may be here
marked. though, that the labor reform party
In Massachusetts, elsewhere is weak in brains and
numbers while the temperance element is OF strength
and power not 10 be desplsed. An effort to form
and labor reformers has already taken shape and il is
not impossible fusion of some sort may be effected.
already been held and there will be another week.
The principal men engaged in 1t are Wendell Phillips,
Judge Pitman and A. Bronson Alcott of the vener
able sagcs of Concord. Among those of less renown,
but who always conspicuous In reform matters,
allowed his property to be sold under the hammer
rather than pay taxes because his wife couldn't votc
B. C. Fay, OF Southboro; e. w. wilson, or Melrose; Dr.
Addison Davis and Rev. George ii. Vibbert
COLLINS ALDRRwoMAY
1t sounds rather curious, but the suggestion has been
seriously made that in of the passage of the bill
now before the Legislature the women of Boston will
unite in eeciing Aldorwoman Ass Jennie Collins, OF
Bofn's Bower fame. IL IL should actually como to
pass that the city would be represented In It's councils
by woman the official mantle could not fall upon one
more worthy and able than Miss Collins. 1t would bo
but simple recognition OF the vast amount of suffer-
ing which she has relieved and prevented
tatious way during the last few years Probably all the
charities in Boston have not done moro than She as can
be abundanty testified TO by the thousands poor girls
whom she has rescued, fed and provided with employ
She is well posted in public ahirs and her olo
quent voice-not surpassed by Miss Dickinson or Mrs
Livermore-would be at once useful, persuasive and
powerful