The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-01-29
FAVORABLE.

the Chronicle aud the Cal, are both IA
vorable to Woman Suffrage. They are
admitted to be the greatest journals on
the coast, and the most widely read.
Therefore, the Woman Suffragists are
justly glad Of their sympathy. The
Cdlps style of championiDg the move
ment is characteristic Of that paper-not
outspoken and affirmative, yet not mega
tive. IL does not boldly declare in favor
Of the measure; it contents itself
with clipping favorable paragraphs from
exchanges without endorsing the re-
marks. But it never dissents. We
cannot remember reading an article in
II in opposition to the movement, even
without endorsement. However, as the
Chronicle, with Characteristic foresight,
/ speaks 10 the point and avows itself in
sympathy with the reasonable and
] just" demands of women, the Call will
doubtless soon commit itself openly to
the movement, though we do not have
any hope that il will strongly advocate
the measure. Mr.. Pickering is very
slow and careful. He is too much so.
He waits until his rival strikes a path,
and then follows.
Less than two weeks since, bill was
introduced in the Assembly Of the
Legislature Of California by Mr.. York
probably DR.. J. L. York, Of San JOSEF,
"to enable female citizens to vote upon
all matters relating to the public schools
OF the State" Il provides that all
women 2l years of years Of age and up
ward shall be entitled to registration on
the great registers OF their respective
counties; aud, being so registered, shall
be allowed to vote for all school officers,
district, municipal, county or State,
aud upon all questions Of taxation for
school purposes. The Chronicle, in
noting the fact that a small percentage
Of women vote IN the States where such
law is in force, says the mere fact that
more do not avail themselves Of the
privilege, ais no argument against the
justice and reasOnableness of it," The
live journal is aware that women in
Massachusetts were taxed twice as much
to vote for school committees as men
were for Unrestricted suffrage. Here
are some Of the comments Of the
Chronicle on Mr.. YOrk's bill:
Il cannot fail to enlist the sympathy Of an
honest and chivalrous public. II will be sup
ported by the ladies and others enlisted in the
movement Tor Woman Suffrage, as the enter
ing wedge for an act which shall confer this
privilege upon female citizens without re-
striction 10 school matters; and il must be
confessed that the number OF these agitators
has greatly Increased within the last ten
years, not only in New England but here as
we'll. There is, unfortunately for the cause, an
obstacle in the way OF the passage OF Mr.
Gork's bill at this session which is insur-
mouutable. We mean the first section Of the
second article OF the Constitution, which, by
every rule OF construction, prohibits females
from voting.
The portion Of the new Constitution
referred to contains the word "male"
three times in reference to voters
/ (natiye, naturalized, and those who
have the right under the treaty Of
! Queretaro), aud in such connection
that the meaning cannot be misunder-
stood. At the time it. was adopted it
was intended to exclude women. The
/ trainers Of the new Constitution were
[ largely Workingmen, who, while pratt
| ing so loudly Of their own grievances,
had nothing to say Of the wrongs of
woman. They. with sufficient "non-
partisans" to make a majority, placed a
ban upon the sex Of half the people.
Thus it appears necessary to amend the
Constitution OF California before women
can vote for school officers, even, in that
State. We think it can be so amended.
The section, "No person shall, on ac-
count Of sex, be disqualified from enter
ing upon or pursuing any lawful busi-
ness, vocation or profession" shows
that a sense Of right perysdes the people
Of California.
The Chronicle Of the 10Th instant con-
cludes an editorial on the subject by ex-
pressing ihe fear that "the ladies will
have to defer their reasonable and Just
claims" until the word male is elm
mated from the section Of the Constitu-
tion on suffrage, or a new section added
confirming the right which the bill asks.