The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-03-20
WOMAN SUFFRAGE VETOED,

Gov. Pierce justified the expectation.
Of the public to-day by returning to the
house Pickler's woman suffrage bill, with bill
disapproval. Following is the message In
full:
Executive Office. Bismarck. Dak., March 13
1ss5.-To the Speaker Of the House Of Repre-.
sentatives: hereby return House Bill NJ. II
with my objections to its becoming q law.
measure Of this kind demands careful and can.
did consideration, both because Of its impOr.
tanoe and because Of the acknowledged sincerity
and high character Of those who favor it. There
are certain reasons, however. why cannot ap-
prove such measure at this time. and Other
reasons why callnot approve this particula,
bill. It Ia desirable. In my Judgment. that We
act SO far as possible II we were governed, re-
strained and guided by constitution adopted
by ourselves. II we had constitution
modelled after the state, an extraordinary
proposition like this would lie submitted tc
tho people. II congress thinks woman suffrage
w!se, 1t has the power to establish it. 1t is un-
fair to shift the responsibility the territories
and then hold them responsible for alleged i'm
prudent legislation. am assured the enactment
Of this law will delay our claims to statehood,
and at 40 critical q period 1t is better that nc
pretext whatever be given for such postpone.
ment. It is doubted by many II q majority OF
the women Of Dakota want the franchise. The
point is made, and . very good one, that the fact
that one woman does not want right is not q
justifiable reason for refusing 1t to another who
does: yet It must not be forgotten that the en-
franchisement Of women confers not only o
privilege, but a grave burden and responsibility.
We condemn the man who ncglccts to vote as
rccrcant to his duty. II women are cnfranchised,
the right conferred becomes an obligation as i'm
perious to them AZ to men, as binding on those
who oppose as those who favor this act. think
the women Of Dakota
SHOULD HAVE A VOICE
in determining whether they should assume
this burden or not. 80 much for the general
proposition. There arc two other features of
this bill which can scarcely think satisfactory
to the advocates Of woman suffrage themselves.
am satisfied that they should appear in a
measure claiming to advance the rights OF
women. II the vote Of women Is needed any
where 1t is in our cities. In many existing city
charters distinct clause appears providing
that males alone shall possess the qualifcat ions
Of electors. In this bill the word male" is only
stricken ont Of one chapter of the code. leaving
the disability still standing against hundreds OF
women OF Sioux Falls. the women OF Mitchell.
the women of Brookings. of Chamberlain. Of
Watertown and 81 great many Of the
would he disqualified from voting under
these special enactments, even though this bill
become q law. At this very session charters
have been created with that provision retained
and they would mako this bill! sbortive and
largely imperative. A still more Objectionable
feature. and one deliberately inserted, is this
clause debarrtng women from the right to hold
office. II the word male" had been strickes
out 4t the code and no other action taken they
would have been eligible, and believe there is a
wide feeling that many offices, particularly
those connected With penal and bensyolsat In