The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1883-12-01

VIC OAvCAVAO O~O1oAuOAAuS tAlS .
well as other matters of importance
it may be well for the advocates
woman suffrage to bear in mind tbs
one Of the conditions preceden
to favorable action on the part of th'
convention is proof that 1t work
well where it has been tried. 1t ma
not be so easy to show this to the sal
isfaction OF the convention.
In Utah and Wyoming woman
suffrage is allowed without RETRO
tions. In q few of the Northern
States they are permitted to vote TO
certain officers. But no one can sue
cessfully maintain that the privileg,
has resulted in the elevation O
women OF the publication of the bal
lot-box. Passing the consideration
of the influence of woman suffrage
in Utah, where it is regarded by ev'
eryone outside of that Territory AZ
pernlcious in the extreme, we come
directly to Wyoming. where it has
been under trial during the past four
teen years. 1t may be reasonably
expected that if it exercised a bene.
fetal result it would certainly evil
dence the fact in elevating the social
and political condition of the people.
But what are the facts:
According to the New York World,
a journal which has taken some
trouble to gather informatiod con-
corning its workings in Wyoming, a
most unenviable condition Of affairs
have grown out of women suffrage
in that territory. That paper says:
"Only two women have held office
in that territory. During the three or
four years following the passage of
the enfranchising act a few women
acted as jurors, but within recent
years they have not entered the jury
box. In shaping issues, nominating
candidates; administering the laws
and other activities which give direc-
ton to the political life Of a commu-
nifty and indirectly affect its social
their influence, it is stated,
counts for nothing. They merely
vote, and unfrequently omit to do
that. They nsy electioneer among
their acquaintance when their male
are candidates, but take no
hand in political agitation having re-
form for its object. Their feeling in
respect to the temperance problem is
found TO confine itself to voting
liquor dealers. As a rule,
they vote at the direction of the male
head of the family. The effect of this
enjoyment of the franchise by a por-
lion of the population without politi-
,al or economical ideas has been in
as elsewhere in the United
an enormous growth of cor
:uption. The practice of selling
7otes. it is found, becomes more prof
table and general when the head of
he house has at his disposal the
7otes of his wife and daughters as
veil as his own. Bribery, repeating,
CT voters and the other
'rimes of the ballot ale thus made
amiliar in the family circle. The
consequence is that public morals in
Wyoming are in a deplorable state.
"The basest men and women in
he community" according to the
lew York Times correspondent,
become prominent as vote-brokers."
wanting in character sell
heir votes without conjunction,
nd, and. according to the authority
cited, 1.-The good ones knife a
andidate who doesn't attend
school," Cheyenne, the
rincipal city of Wyoming, is repre-
ented as a den of vice of the most
evolting kind. The conclusion is
nfavorable: "By the enfranchise-
lent of woman, corruption, trickery.
aud, vice, as political forces already
kisting, have been reinforced by
'eakness, Indifference, ignorance,
,wardice and imbecility. AS a con-
'quence, public NOR: Is are laid low,
nd practicable plans for reform lack
Intelligent support" 1t Is evident
ON this that the panacea for all So
al, political and other ills is not to
, found in female suffrage, as the
lvocates of that superannuated ism
ould have the world believe, but I
aite the contrary" This is a ter
bic indictment against woman suf-
age. What can its advocates say to I