The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-07
PROCEEDINGS IN CONGRESS.
Senator Palmer, Of Michigan, Makes a
Lengthy Speech In Favor OF
Woman Suffrage.
Considerable Discord In the House
Over the River and Harbor
Appropriation Bill.
FORTY.EIGHTH CONGRESS-.
The Senate.


election of Senator Ingalls,. Also, a letter
from the Postmaster General explaining that
the erasure In the document sent to the Sem
ate relating to the history of the railway
mail service had been made for the reason
chat the matter erased contained an infer
ence which it was believed best to permit
readers to make for themselves, all the facts
upon which it was based being fully set
forth in the document. The Postmaster
General adds that fair copy OF the docu-
ment was not made because OF the pressure
of time and expense that would be involved
A resolution was offered by Mr.. Sewell,
calling upon the Secretary of War to report
II the Senate whether any plans or prepare
tions have been made by the engineers CORPS
OF the army, or by the War Department. for
defending the harbOrs on our sea coast AMI
lakes by torpedoes or otherwise in case of
sudden war with any foreign power, and IL
torpedo stations have been established or are
contemp lated for such defense Referred.
Dir Palmer having obtained permission TO
address TO Senate on the woman suffrage Quss-
ton, be said: The joint resolution invo we'd
the consideration of the broadcast step in the
progress OF the struggle for human liberty
that has ever been submitted TO any ruler or
legislative body. He reviewed the history
OF the movement, showing les rise and
growth from email proportions to great. 1t
had made progress, he said that had bene.
fitted all and injured none. 1t had sue
ceeded ID creating 3 public sentiment to
which Legislatures had bent and courts
bowed. The laws which degraded our wives
bad been everywhere repealed and modified
Our sisters he'd been recognized as having
brains "a well as hearts, and as being
capable OF transacting their own bust
ness affairs. New avenues of self
support had been found and proitsbly
entered upon and the doors OF our colleges
had ceased to creak their dismay when
swung open for the admission OF women.
Twelve States had extended limited suffrage
TO women, and three Territories had ad-
United them to the ballot box. From none
of these had word OF dissatisfaction been
heard to the new order of things. The spirit
o. inquiry connected with the subject had
Iermeated every neighborhood in the land,
and none could be so blind as not to recog-
nize the growing and universal development,
seif-reliance and capacity among American
women. They had lest no womanly grace
by acquiring greater strength and character,
while men had been largely benefited.
Mr.. Palmer then took up and reviewed in
detail the elections to woman suffrage set
forth in the report of the minority OF the
committee. They we're all the objections
that could be found, he said after thirty.
seven years OF discussion. He hoped every
Senator would read thsse objections. Among
them was one citing the physical superiority
OF men, but Offering no suggestion that the
voting power of a Sullivan should be in
creased because of his extraordinary phys
zeal strength, or that the lame, halt or blind
among men should be disiranchised for
physical inieriority. To the objsc-
tion that woman was incapable
of military service Mr. Palmer re.
Mi ad hat ha min ~ haI
not suggested any willingness ID forsgo their
own exemption from CONSUMPTION by re AsOn
OF age, nor suggested that Qdakers should
be disfranchised though non-combatants on
principle, nor had the minority Insisted on
the Acknowledgement of large numbers OF
professional men and civil officers now ex-
empt from military duty. The minority
Senators, however, were dismayei at the
idea OF women attending political caucuses
in the evenings, but doubtless enjoyed their
presence at routes and entertainments until
early morning. In Michigan, Palmer said,
the women had for years been attending pO-
litical meetings at the earnest solicitation of
tbs men in charge of the meetings,
and their influence had been al
ways recognized as most excellent.
To the objection that few women would
exercise the right OF suffrate il they had it.
Palmer replies il was unfair and unreason-
able. All women had not yet reflected upon
Involved in an exercise so powerful by
them. In 1868 many slaves did not care to
be emaDcipated, but We had not yet heard
any petitions 20 relsgate to slavery any taat
had been freed. There were to day men in
all the States who did not exercise suffrage
but DO one suggested their dsfranchisement.
a denial of a request, Palmer continued 10
submit to the States the proposed woman
suffrage amendment betrayed inexplicable
sdhersion to pre- udice, which il Was sought
10 defend BIZ pretended regard for women
"a course, which TO Palmer, seemed illogi-
cal in the extreme
He did not share in the fears of some
people that women would be degraded by
the ballot Instead OF Degrading women il
would elevate man. 1t wOuld improve the
tone Of our political gatherings, and the
pels would be freed from the vulgarity
which now too often characterized them
Elections, instead OF being held in stables,
would be held in psrlors, and the characters
OF The candidates would be scrutinized, and
better public officers chosen Casting the
ballot would be invested with a seriousness
BETTING so grave duty, and would in that
regard be second only TO religious OBJ
seEvance.
We should divest ourselves, Palmer said,
OF prejudice and the entanglements Of traii-
ton, and undertake cal N aud Judicial ex-
emiuation OF the points involved In the
question. The leading points were, first,
was ii right? second, was it desirable2 aad
third, was il expedient2 From these . )ints
OF view Palmer discussed the case at some
length uIon its merits. citing in support OF
his contentious many illustrations from the
recent history of the Territories in which
woman suffrage prevails.
He concluded by expressing his convic
ton hat rot only vas il right but desirable
and expedient that woman should vote, but
that the dangerous political conditions
which were perhaps about to confront Us.
rendered IL our duty for the safety OF the
Nation no longer to DENY to ourselves the
political life and strength to be derived from
the conscience and moral worth of women.
IL was agreed that the Senate shall meet
81 IL ?. IN. on and after Monday next.
The bill to regulate the fees Of pension
AGENTS sDd attorneys was then taken up.
Mr.. Beck said: Ia 1881 the pension agents
wanted their fees increased TO S25. but both
Houses OF Congress declined to increase
them; yet in the Conference Committee the
fer fr.r cod