The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1884-02-21

lied in Vancouver to be called "The Clarke
County Equal Rights Association. Quite
a number of men and women have already
become members, and it will increase
members as fast as possible. The objects of
the association are to encourage and assist
women in the exercise of the elective fran
chise-to secure the enactment of Just and
equal laws-and to promote social and po
litical reforms, irrespective OF party politics.
The constitution of the association will be
circulated in few days for additional sly
natures, and it is hoped that a large men,
bership will be secured.
In connection with the above announce
ment we give the law creating female suf-
frage, the act being as follows:
An Act to amend section 1850, chapter 23S
of the code of Washington.
SECTION l. Be it enacted by the Legisla-
tive Assembly of the Territory of Washing
ton: That Section 1850, chapter 23S of the
code of Washington, be, and is hereby
amended to read as follows, to-wit:
'All American citizens, above the age of
twenty-one years. and all American half
breeds over that age who have adopted the
habits of the whites, and all other inhabi-
tants of this Territory, above that age, who
shall have declared on oath their intentions
to become citizens, at least six months pre-
vous to the day of election, and shall have
taken an oath to support the constitution of
the United States, and the organic act of
this Territory. at least six months previous
to the day of election. and who shall have
resided SIX months in the Territory, and
thirty days in the county next preceding the
day of election, and none other shall be en-
titled to hold Office, or vote at any election
in this Territory: Prorded, That no otfi.
Ger. soldier, seaman or marine, in the army
or navy of the United States. or attached to
troops in the service of the United States,
shall be allowed to vote at any election in
this Territory, by reason of being in service
therein, unless said Territory, is, and has
been for the period of six months, his per-
manent domicil: Prord1ed, He was a citi
zen of this Territory at the time Of his en-
listment; And, procmed further, That no
person belonging to the army Or navy of the
United States shall be elected to- or hold
any civil office, or appointment in this Ter
ritory; Proriiing. That this provision shall
not apply to officers of the army or navy on
| the TetlTeu llst.
SEC. >. Wherever the word "his" occurs
in the chapter aforesaid, it shall be construed
to mean "his or her, as the case may be-
SEC. 3. This act to take effect and be in
force from and after its approval by the gov
| ernor.
Approved November %, 1883.
While this paper has tried to impress
| L.. /. & l.. /
OF the duties that come upon them with the
ballot, evil minded persons have taken spec
ial pains to misrepresent its position, and
set this paper up as totally opposed to fe
male suffrage. aud now this occasion is taken
to correct such mis- statements. The editor
has for years personally maintained the
principle mo taxation without representa-
ton, and that every woman who paid
property tax was by right as much entitled
to vote as any man. Now that the legisla-
ture has seen fit to extend the privilege of
the ballot to all women, we want to see
them exercise it. They have a duty to per-
form, many duties in fact, chief of which is
to clear county politics from the influence
of the demagogues and one horse politicians
who can see nothing in county affairs but
their insatiate desire to run the machine,
get Office. and have things all their own
way on the rule or ruin principle. They
must beat over again these men who have
already been beaten. but who do not have
sense enough to see that the people do not
want to have them at the head of county af.
| fairs. AS the women become more cunvers.
ant with the affairs of local and Territorial
government they will fnd enough to occupy
all their spare time in consideration OF af-
fairs Of state, ami no man need he afraid
that females votes will ever be cast against
right aud justice. The male voters can well
afford to trust female ju igment and discre-
tioa in voting as well as the every day at.
fairs of life.
Now as to TAXATION, we lind on comparing
the act creating female suffrage with Sec.
2S63 of the Code, that women are not re.
qured to pay any poll tax Women who
pay property tax must, however. as hereto
legal voters can vote at any county or Ter.
rit"rial election without paying poll tax.
while men must pay the poll tax. The
women have more rights, or freedom. than
the men in voting. At city elections in
Vancouver the case is different Section 81
of the city charter is as follows:
No person is qualified to vote at any elec.
ton under tins act who does not possess the
-, ,.,,rtr.1 hN 300 Of thu