The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-05-01
WOMAN AND THE BALLOT.

lle House OF representatives., auouS
other diversions, has been wrestling with
petitions for the amendment of the Con-
stitution of the United States, SO as to
extend the right of suffrage to woman.
The judiciary Committee has gone all to
pieces over the enchanting theme of wo-
man-her rights and her wrongs. -Four
different reports have been submitted by
the Committee. The majority is adverse
to the proposed amendment. Its report
was prepared by representative Maoury,
and says in part:
'sTo permit the entrance of political
contention into the home would be either
useless or pernicous useless if man and
wife agree, and pernicious if they differ.
In the former event the volume of ballots
alone would be increased without chang
ing the results. In the latter the peace
and contentment of home would be ex'
changed for the bedlam of political de:
bate and become a scene of base and
demoralizing intrigue. In another ques-
ton often suggested what portion and what
class of women would avail themselves
of the privilege of suffrage if extended
to women, your committee is Of opinion
that while a few intelligent women, such
as appeared before the committee in ad:
yocacy of the pending measure, would
overcome the obstacles in the way OF
their casting the ballot, yet the mass of
intelligent, refined and judicious women,
with the becoming modesty of their sex,
would shrink from the rude contact of the
crowd, with the exceptions mentioned,
leaving to the ignorant and vulgar the
exclusive right to speak for the gentler
sex in public affairs"
Messrs. Reed, E. B. Taylor, T. NJ.
Browne aud McCord, in their minority
report say "The association of the SEX
es in the family circle, in society and
business, having proved improving to
both, there is neither history, reason nor
sense to justify the assertion that associ-
alton in politics will tend to demorallze
either. No reason on earth can be given
by those who claim the suffrage as right
of manhood which does not make it a
right of womanhood also. If suffrage
be given man to protect him in his lite,
liberty and property, the same reasons
urge that it be given to woman, for she
has the same life, liberty and property 10
| protect.
Mr.. Dorsheimer, while concurriug with
the majority in recommending that the
matter be laid on the table, says: 81
think it probable that the interests Of
society will soon require that woman
should have the right of suffrage, and
am not willing to say more than that the
present is not an opportune time Tor the
submission of the proposed amendment"
MIR. Poland's report says: The Office
and duty which nature has devolved
upon woman during all the active and
vigorous portions of her life would often
render impossible and still ore indeli'
cate for her to appear and act in caucus
es, conventions, etc, or to act as mem
Der of the legislature, or as juror OF
judge. I cannot bring myself to believe
that any large portion of the intelligent
women of this country desire such thing
granted, or would perform any such du'
ties if the chance were offered them.
We agree with Judge Poland's philos
ophy as far as indicated in this report
The extension of tho right of suffrage
to women would not likely conduce tc
her pleasure or the welfare Of the State
for the greater part of those whose voice
would be for the public good, from mo.
tiyes of delicacy and refined sensibiities,
would not participate in the excited
throrgs which gather about the polls OF
election day.