Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1878-11-20
WOMAN SUFFRAGE IN cALIFoR-

In the California Constitutional Conven'
ton. they have bccn considering the pro
priety Of enfranchising the m OF the
Golden State. The proposition was re-
ferred to the Committee on the Right Of
Suffrage, q majority Of the same reporting
favorably thereon. The minority. how.
ever, headed by one Caples, reported
against the article. Mr.. Caples seems to
be . new man. in California politics, and
we don't know much about HMM fact,
we don't know anything about him. But
we are forced to admit that he is a gush-
ing genius. In his chivalrous devotion to
the sex. he is unwilling that they should
bedraggle their snowy skirts in the nithy
pool Of politics. His admiration, too,
seems to be blended in some unaccount-
able manner, with q poorly grounded
fear OF lovely woman's influence in the
political arena. He shrinks attack from
crinoline and silk sophistry and feminine
Establishments. He trembles in his boots
lest the future statesman be bulldosed with
smiles and tears. Csples is not brave,
and we fear is over susceptible. Pool
Caples! Here are his objections to ex-
tending the right Of suffrage to the sentler
sex: M
Under our form of.sgovernment the
original, supreme, paramount authority is
in the p~eople-that il to say, in those hold
ing the ballot; and limitation or extension
of the ballot il an act affecting original
authority, and can be legitimately per-
formed only by the sovereign people, ex-
e~rcising the right Of . principal 20 ratify
or reject the act Of nm agent; but, waving
the legal principle involved, and consider
ing the question from the standpoint Of
reason and common sense, the first refec-
ton is that the right to vote carries with
it the co-relative obligation Of citizenship.
But q littln reflection will convince all
candid minds that the discharge Of such
obligations il utterly incompatible with
the moral, social, aud physical condition of
women in civilized society.
Another and seri0us objection to the
proposition is that it would surround the
Legislature by q lobby influence detri-
mental and injurious to all just and wise
This radical innovation upon our cleo
toral system is not demanded by the sober,
conservative people, but by a few profess
sional agitators and schismstic propaganda
lists, whose stock in trade would be indeh-
nitely ~replenished by the adoption of the
recommendation of the majority OF your
And the future Legislative
hall would be but another name for q be-
fortress, behind whose p
your statesmen and Lawmakers
would vainly seek shelter from the attacka
Of crinoline and silk sophistry and bland
ishments, smiles and tears.
Graceful styles, and winning smiles,
Charmes repletc, your hero greet,
In dulcet strains, the siren reigns.
But we present our objection to the
whole scheme Of female suffrage, an OBJ
AZ broad as humanity. as deep as
human affection, and AZ comprehensive A.
human aspirations, viz that it would
but surely, necessarily and inevi-
tably drag m down from the lofty
which is her birthright and her
realm by the patent eternal Of Nature and
Natures God. When w attempt to re-
verse Natures laws, we only violate them,
and speedily and surely reap the penalty
Of that violation ; and when woman leaves
the domain which ia hers by divine right,
and comes down into the political arena,
and paddles her own canoe in the historic
pool, rum for Constable. is elected Alder
man, and finally goes to the Legislature to
warm a contested seat, will anybody ask !:
Are her garments as white as of yore,
when she proudly sat upon her legitimate
throne, commanding our reverence and
loving devotion 4?
Let us not desccratc the temple wherein
mans highest, hottest aspirations are
crystallized in that sweetest word Of hu-
man bome."