New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-01-23
A NOTABLE RECRUIT.

The advocates OF woman suffrage have
gained an important accession in Mr. Conkling.
In moving for special Committee on Wcdnes-
day on the rights of women citizens, i'll place OF
the standing Committee proposed by Mr.. Nc
Donald, the distinguished NewYOrk Senator
spoke of the movement as a benefcent one,
and expressed the wish that the Committee
should be given to understand that its purpose
was 10 achieve and not to postpone forever the
rea, zation OF the hopes of the memorasIs
! whose petition was placed in It's charge. We
, NAV therefore conclude that he has fully
espouscd the cause of the woman suffIagists, and
is prepared to do battle Tor il in future on the
floor OF the Senate. We congratulate It's adv0-
Gates on their good fortune in gaming so famous
a recruit. Since the death OF Henry Wilson no
man Oi such prominence in public lie has
openly identified himself with their Efforts.
They have greatly needed the aid of man of
National reputation to advocate universal
| suffrage from the masculine point of view, who
| can discuss the subject dispas'onately and with
| n full knowledge OF the difficulties to be over
| come before so great n change in the structure
| of American society and government can be
| brought about.
A still greater need of the woman suffrage
| movement il some means OF effective prOpa-
eandism among the women themselves. II SUR
face indications are to be trusted, it has not
gained much ground in this country OF late
wears; not nearly so much, in fact, rs III Eng
land. Most of the people who appear Mt the
annual suffrage conventions are the same who
gained prominence in the movement long ago.
The new names are few and lncOnsDicuous.
True. the movement does not excite rld'cule, rs
il did when first 81 irted, but neither does il at
tract so much attention. 1t may be quietly
working upon public opinion, but its open de
monstratiOns are by no means imposing. The
masses of women have not been reused to take
any interest in the question. They are either
Indifferent or positively hostile. As long rs
ninety-nine women in every hundred protest
that they don't want to vote, it will not be easy
to make the men think that there is any present
need of extending the suffrage to them. They
will naturally say that while the question Is not
whether women shall be given the suffrage but
whether the suffrage shall be forced upon them
against their will, there is no occasion to get eX
cited about it. Most intelligent advocates of
the franchise for women now recognize the tact
that their arguments need to be chiefly ad
dressed to women, and acknowledge that men
cannot be fairly criticised for feeling but little
concern about the matter as long as there is no
general demand for the privilege Of voting
from the other sex.
1t must be admitted, however, that some pro-
gress has been made OF late in the direction of
suffrage without distinction of sex, by the gen.
eral disposition to cOncedc to women voice in
the control OF the schools. Massachusetts first,
and later Newly aud Vermont, have quail
fed women for election as school trustees, and
with certain restrictions not wholly logical or
just, for voting at school elections This has
been done without much pressure or public ag-
tation. sense of the fitness of such measures
seemed all at once to come over the legislative
bodies which adopted them. The conversion
of Mr.. Conkling will now be of advantage to
them from the attention it will attract and the
fresh interest it will excite in the movement.