St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-03-14
The ROnsnsl Suffrage Bill Vetoed.

BISMARCK, March 13.-Gov. Pierce justified
the expectations of the public to-day by re-
turning to the house Rickler's woman suf-
frage bill with his disapproyal. The following
is the message in full:
Executive Office, Bismarck, Oak, March
10, I685.-To the Speaker of the House Of
Representatives: hereby return house bill
No. II with my objections to its becoming a
law. A measure of this kind demands care
full and candid consideration, both because
of its importance and because of the ac-
knowledged sincerity and high char
acter of those who favor it.
There are certain reasons, however,
why cannot approve of such a measure at
this time, and other reasons why I cannot
approve Of this particular bill. 1t is desira-
bic in my judgment that we act so far as
possible as if we were governed, restrained
and guided by constitution adopted by our
selves. If we had a constitution modelled
after the state an extraordinary proposition
like this would be submitted to the people.
If congress thinks woman suffrage wise, it
has the power to establish it. 1t is unfair to
shift the responsibility on the territories, and
then hold them responsible for alleged i'm
prudent legislation. | am assured the en-
actment of this law will delay our claims to
statehood, and also at this critical period it is
better that no preteXt whatever be given
for such postponement. 1t Is doubted by
many if a 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
justfiable reason for refusing it TO another
who does, yet it must not be forgotten that
the enfranchisement of woman confers not
only privilege but grave burden and re-
sponsibility. We condemn the man who
neglects to vote as recreant to his duty. If
women are enfranchised the right conferred
becomes an obligation as imperious to them
as to men, as binding on those who oppose
as those who favor this act. | think the
women of Dakota should have voice in de-
terming whether they should assume this
burden or not. So much for the general
proposition. There are, too, other features
OF this bill which | can scarcely
think satisfactory to the advocates of woman
suffrage themselves, ] am satisfied that they
should appear in measure claiming TO adj
vance the rights of women. If the vote of
women is needed anywhere il is in our cities.
In many existing city charters a distinct
clause appears providing that males alone
shall possess the qualifications of electors. In
this Gill the word male is only stricken
out of one chapter of the code, leaving the
disability still standing against hundreds of
women equally entitled TO recognition. The
women OF Sioux Falls, the women Of Mitchell,
the women of Bookings. the women of
Cham berlain, Of Watertown and q great
many of the most important cities in South
crn Dakota would be disQual-
flied from voting under these
special enactments even though this bill be-
come law. At this very session charters
have been created with that provision re-
tanned, and they would make this bill abort
i've and largely imperative. A still more
Objectionable feature, and one deliberately
inserted, is the clause declaring women from
the right to hold office Ii the word finale"
had been stricken out of the code aud no
other action taken they would have been
eligible, and believe there is wide feeling
that mauy offices, particularly those CON
uected with perial and benevolent institu-
tons, could be most appropriately flied with
women, but this clause practically forbids
their appointment. If women are good
enough TO vote they are good enough 70 be
voted for. II they are qualified TO choose Of
ficials they are qualified to be chosen. don't
say that l would approve Of this measure were
it otherwise worded, but | certainly would
not iudorse bill which thus keeps the word
Of promise TO the ear and breaks it to the
hope; which deliberately aud avowedly debars
and disqualifcs women while assuming to
exalt aud honor them. These objections are
apart from the abstract right of women to the
ballot, but they show how necessary it is to
approach such a subject with deliberatiou. II
women are 70 be enfranchised let it be done
not as thirty DAYS wonder, but as 4 merited
reform, resulting from mature reflection. ap-
proved by the public conscience and sane
toned by the enlightened judgment Of the
people.
lSigned.l GILBERT A. PIERCE,
Governor.