Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1885-03-18
WOMAN SUFFRAGE.

AAo ~oAAEAD 1AccV0p00yl1& GOEsI |
ernsr Pierce's vetsof the Dakota |
) Biu. @
Bismarck, March, 13-Gov. Pierce
justified the expectations of the public
to-day, by returning to the house Mr..
Pickler's woman suffrage bill with his
disapproval: The following is the mes
sage in full: fsfts -El5se
Executive Office, Bismarck, ID. T.,
March 18th, 16S5-To the speaker Of the
house of representatives: I hereby re.
turn house file No. 7l,wlth my objeo-
tlons to it's becoming q law. A measure |
OF this kind demands careful and candid |
consideration, both because of its inn
porta nee and because ofthe acknowl.
edged sincerity and high character of
reasons, however, why cannot approve
reasons why I cannot approve this par
ment. that We act, SO far as possible, as
and guided by constitution adopted
BY ourselves. If We had constitution
modelled after the states an extraordinary
proposition like this would be submitted
to the people. If congress thinks woman
suffrage wise it has the power to estsb-
lish 1t. It is unfair to shift the response
bility on the territory and then hold
them responsible for alleged imprudent
legislation. I am assured the enactment
Of this law will delay our claims to state
hood, and also in so critical q period it is
better that no pretext whatever be given
for such postponement. 1t is doubted
by many if . 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 justifiable reason for retus.
ing it to another who does, yet it must
not be forgotten that the enfranchise.
ment OF women confers not only .
privilege but grave burden and re-
lsponsibility. We condemn the man who
| neglects to vote as recreant to his duty.
If women are enfranchised the right
conferred becomes an obligation as i'm
perious. to them as to men, as on those
favor the act. think the
women OF Dakota should have voice in
determining whether they should as.
sumo this burden or not. 80 much for
the general proposition. There are two
other features Of this bill which I car
scarcely think satlsfactory to the advo
Gates of woman suffrage themselves.
am satisfied that they should appear ir
q measure claiming to advance the rights
of women, If the vote of q woman il
needed anywhere 1t is in our cities. In
many existing city charters distinct
clause appears providing that males
alone shall possess the qualifications oil
electors. In this bill the word male" il
Istricken out of one chapter of the code
leaving the disability still standing
Iagainst hundreds of women equally en-
y Titled to recognition. The women oi
Il Sioux Falls. the women of Mitchell, the
women Of Brookings, the women o
Chamberlain. OF Watertown and grea
ImAny Of the moss. important cite
In southern Dakota, woult
!, be disqualified from voting un
der these special enactments, evel
though this bill became law at thi
very session. Charters have been createt
with that provision retained and the,
would make this bill abortive and largel,
imperative. A still more Objectionable
feature, and one deliberately inserted, i
{ the clause debsrring women from tn
t right to hold Office. If the word NAL
had been stricken out of the code, an,
no other action taken, they would .hav
been eligible, and I believe there is
/, vide feeling that many. offices, particu
7, larly those connected with penal an,
!, benevolent institutions, could be mos
appropriately filled with women. bu
: this clause practically forbids their ap
pointment. II women are good enoug
to vote they are good enough to be vote
, for. If they are qualified to choose off
. clals, they are qualified to be chosen.
! don't say that would approve thi
Q measure we're it otherwise worded, bu
I I certainly would not endorses bill
2 which thus keeps the word of promis
! to the ear and breaks it to the hop
: which deliberately and avowedly debar
and disqualifies women while assuming
: to sxalt and honor them. These objec
tions are apart from the abstract right Q
/ women to the ballot, but they show ho,
!. necessary it is to approach such q sub
ject with deliberation. II nwomen are t
be enfranchised let it be done, not as
Thirty days wonder, but as merite
e reform resulting from mature reflection
3 approved by the public conscience an
!. sanctioned by the enlightened judgmen
. of the people. s
u (Signei) GILBERT A. PIERCE.
J. Governor.