Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1882-06-15
Wyoming Speaks for Herself.
From Cheyenne Daily LEADER

speaks lOi aSTSSl.
From Cheyenne Daily LEADER
The law comforting upon women the
right of suffrage was enacted in 1869
at time when the people of Wyo
ming were almost unanimously opposed
to it. The situation was accepted with
good nature and a general disposition
to give the law fair trial. At the
end of two years, Gov Campbell, in
his message to the legislative assembly
expressed himself on the subject as
follows:
There is upon our statute book san
act granting to the women Of Wyoming
Territory the right of suffrage and to
hold Office, which has now been in
force two years. Under its liberal
provisions women have voted in the
+ Territory, served Oh iuries and held
Office. 1t is simple justice to say that
the women entering for the first time
in the history of the country, upon
these new and untried duties, have
conducted themselves in every respect
with as much tact, sound Judgment,
and good sense, as men. While it
would be claiming more than the facts
justify, to say that this experiment, in
limited field, has demonstrated be-
yond doubt the perfect fitness of wo-
man at all times and under all circum-
stances, ror taking part in govern
ment, it furnishes at least presumptive
evidence in her favor, and she has a
right to claim that, so long as none
but good results are made manifest,
the law should remain unrepealed,
A two years trial, therefore, gave
the ladies another chance, and while
our Legislators were disposed to dissent
from the governor, the law was per-
rlitted to remain on our statute book.
Two more years passed by, and we
give here Governor Campbell's opinion
of Woman Suffrage and its effects, af-
ter an experience of four years. The
governor says to the legislators:
The experiment Of granting to wo-
man voice in the government, which
was inaugurated for the first time in
the history of cur country BY the first
legislative assembly of Wyoming, has
now been sried for four years. have
heretofore taken occasion to express
my views in regard to the wisdom and
justice of this measure, and my con-
Yiction that its adoption has been at
tended only by good results Two
years more of observation Of the prac-
teal working of the system have only
served to deepen my conviction that
what we, in this Territory, have done,
has been we'll done; and that our sys-
TEN of impartial suffrage is an unqual-
flied success.
The Legislative assembly, coinciding
in the governors views, wisely re-
Trained from tampering with our cleo
ton laws, so far as concerned women,
and consequently received the com
mendationS of their constituents.
Before the end o. the ensuing two
years, we had another executive, Gen.
j. NJ. Thayer, formerly a United
States Senator, gentleman ex-
pericnced in public affairs, and famil-
lar with legislative matters. In his
message to the Legislature. Gov.
Thayer pays the following compliment
to the people of Wyoming:
Woman Suffrage has now been in
practical operation in our Territory for
six years, and has during the time in
creased in popularity and in the con
fdence of the people, in my Judgment,
its results have been beneficial, and its
influence favorable to the best interests
Of the community. A right or privi-
lege, once granted, is not easily sur
rendered. In this case it is difficult
to perceive any reason why it should
be.
At this time Woman Suffrage had
become one Of our popular Institutions,
approved by all; even IFS most bitter,
bitter enemies had been made to sue
cumb to It's benefcent effects. and the
boldest politician Of the male sex had
ceased to agitate repeal Of the law.