Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-11-11
SATURDAY, Nov. j
Council met as usual.

SATURDAY, Nov. D.
Council met us usual
Messrs. Evans, and Hoover, asked
leave of absence till Tuesday morn
i'm. Granted.
IL. Il. 20 an net comforting the
right of suffrage upon women citi-
zens, came up on its third reading.
Mr.. Evans said:
Mr.. President: l had resolved
not to occupy the valuable time OF
the Council III any remarks upon
this bill, while l regard it as the
most important measure introduced
or which can at this time engage our
attention. Still | recognize the fact
that support of, or objection to, this
and kindred bills, legiSlatinS rs to
the rights of women, whether pro-
perty OF political, is governed by the
views or opinions we hold as to the
policy of such legislation. Iquarrel
with no mans convictions or opin-
ions. l accord to each, honesty of
belief, sincerity of purpose and a
perfect respect TO his right to hold
such opinion and the hearty recog-
milton of his fullest right to its en-
joyment. l ask only for myself
and those who agree with me, the
same privilege, a similar respect,
need not to excuse myself for
voting for this bill and every kindred
measure having for its purpose the
reimbursement of women, or the
broadest recognition of her equal
right to enjoy all that manhood
claims, either morally, socially, or
politically. Since my earliest recol-
lection, such principles have been
part of my education, and are insep-
arabic from my very existence. 1
recolloct in May, 1887, when n few
noble women had assembled in
Pennsylvania Hall, in Philadelphia,
to discuss the question Of" Woman's
Rights" as it was then cclled, the
Lords of Creation had massed to-
gether in a mob, to destroy that
BUILDING, because it had been dedi-
Gated to free discussion. My sainted
mother was among that little band
who were permitted, in that great
FREQ city to pass, two and two,
through the open ranks of an angry
mob, who were all impatient that
they should be delayed in their work
Of burning down that noble editice,
which the spirit of slavery bad
doomed to destruction. No sooner
had they passed the gauntlet of that
angry mob of men, when that beau
tiful building was burned to ashes
From that day to this, my convic-
tons have been educated to the be-
lief that woman is entitled by every
principle, to the same right, to the
same law, to equal privileges with
the male sex; can therefore appreci-
ate that opinions which are formed
in early youth, may govern through
life, nay, may intensity rs we in
crease in years. For me it is no
credit that duty commands obedi-
ence to my Quaker education, my
regard for tho opinions OF my peo-
pie, my associations and everyday
teaching; hence, it seemed to me
useless to explain why l shall al
ways be found voting for every bill
which places woman on an equality
with men. But at the Post office,
last night, while waiting for the
distribution of the mail, in the as
sembled crowd, 1 heard remarks of
some one not connected with the
Legislature, most grating on my
feelings, most humiliating, as con-
ceived, to a Legislative Assembly;
an apology, if you please, for this
wisest, most humane, most proper
measure. 1t was gravely assumed
that tue House of Representatives,
which had passed this bill, had done
it us joke, had sent it up here to
be killed. This bill, which means
that our mothers, wives, sisters and
daughters are as good as we in the
spirit of God and man, that recog-
nizes their full claim to equality
before the law" is something that
men may vote for and be ashamed
of, and that it requires to be ex-
planned away by calling it a Joke.
l regarded that remark as a gross
SANDER On the House of Representa-
tives. 1t is SANDER upon the holi-
est cause of reform which has ever
agitated the nation, the enfranchise-
ment of women. l will not believe
any measure seriously introduced
and entitled to meritorious consid-
Grafton, will be SO treated by any
member of the House. l deny that
such can be the fact. The passage
by the House of this bill, is but res
ponsive to the demands of the peo-
pie, and 1 treat that bill as eminent
ly entitled to our fullest considera-
ton. say to this Council and to
the world that the friends of wo-
mems rights, of this recognition of
her claim to equal stature before the
law: We mean business! Nor will
they, cease this agitation while
single right enjoyed by man is de-
MED by law to woman. The record
we make by ou1 votes stands forever
as an index of the progress made in
woman's reimbursement, how we
stood while the contest was being
made. 1t is no joke. nor need any
one have any misgivinGs as to the
final result. Reforms never move
backwards, and it needs no prophet
to foretell the early recognition Of |