The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1884-05-09
T. Il REED,
r. y. TAYLOR,
NJ. a. McC0ID,
u M. RRnWNR.
nnRaHKIMFR,s opIKIor.

Dorsheimer submitted the following:
1 copour IN the conclusion OF the commit
ice. that the resolution lie upon the table;
but cannot agree to the particulars OF ar
gument set forth In the report.
| think IL probable that the interests ~
society will sometime require that women
should haYe the right o' suffrage, aud am
not willing 10 gay more than that the pres
emit IN not an opportune time for submiltion
10 the stgtos OF the proposed amendment.
WILLIAM DogsHElMgR.
VIEWS OF MR.. PoLAHD.
The undersigned concura with the major-
ity OF the committee on the Judiciary In ro-
commeading that il is lnexpedient 10 sub.
nit to the Gtates a constitutional amend,
ementvor the csAp h'hment OF women suii.
rage 1 concur Generally in the argument
OF the report by which that conclusion is
supported, but the report does not state my
individual views Of tho question fnlly and
exactly. aud | therefore desire 20 add
gnort statement of them. No government
founded upon the principle that sovereignty
resides in the people has ever allowed all
the poople TO vote, or to directly participate
In the making or Administering the lave.
suffrage has never been regarded rs the
natural right OF all the people, or OF any
particular class or portion Of the. people.
Suffrage Ia representation, and 1t has been
given In fee governments TO such class NJ
persons as in their judgment would fairly
and safely represent the rights end inter-
eats OF the whole.
Tbs right has generally, il rot univor-
p.llv. been confer red on men above twenty
one wears of age, and often this has been
restricted by requiring the ownership OF
property or the pay ment of taxes.
The great majority OF women are either
under the eye OF twensy-onG or are married,
and therefore under euch Influence and con.
troll 40 that relation implies and confers.
Isthere any necessity tor the protection
and ureserya,ion of the rights OF woman
that thew be allowed 10 vote, and OF course
10 hold Office aud directly TO participate in
legislation and IN the standardization OF the
laws?
Nearly every man who votes has wife
or mother, or sisters, or daughters; some
sustein all these relations or more than
one.
Now, 1 think IL certain ,nat Che great ma.
ioritv of meu when voting, or when on
gaged rs legislators or In Administering the
Laws In some official character, are az iully
mindful of the interests OF GIL that Class
with whom they are 80 closely connected
aud whose interests are 10 bound up with
their own, and that, therefore, they fairly
represent ell the rights and interests Of
women "a well as their own.
Persons who have been accustomed 10 Gee
legal proceedings in the courts, snd oc.
cnsionallv to see fomale litiRant in court
know very well whether they are apt TO tuf
fer wrong because their rights are deter
mined wholly by men. There is just as III.
tie reason for suspicion that their rights ere
not carefully guarded 10 legislation, and In
every WAY where legislation can operate.
There is another reason why / think thu
proposal to enlist the women OF the country
as a part Of its active political force, anc
cast upon them an equal duty in the politi'
| cal meetings, campaigns, and eiec,tons-tc
make them legislators, Jurors, 'udges ane
executive officers, is all wrong. believe ]
10 be utterly inconsistent with the very IN.
tpre and constitution OF woman, ant
wholly subyersive Of the sphere AM
function enc was designed 10 fill In TIT
home and in society.
The office aud duty which nature has de
yoIysd upon woman during all the sctiv'
and vigorous portion OF her life would oitei
render IL impossible, and still more oftei
| indicate for her TO appear and act In eau
cuses, conventions, or elections. or to act a
a member of Legislature, or as juror o
| Judge.
l cannot bring myself 10 believe that an,
large portion Of the intelligent women o
this country desire any such thing granite.
them, or would perform any euch duties
the chance were offered them,
WIG ' Lux. p. POLAND.