National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-03-20
WOMAN SUFFRAGE,
Interesting Public Hearing Before tho
House Committee on Territories.

Interesting Public Hearing Before tho
House Committee on Territories.
The House committee on territories gave
public hearing yesterday morning to the
American Woman's Suffrage Association,
on It's petition for law giving women
equal suffrage in the territories. Letters
were presented from Hon. George William
Curtis, William Lloyd Garrison, John Whit
tier, and Lucy Stone. Addresses were made
by Rev. Annie II. Shaw, Of Michigan; Mrs.
Mary Hunt and Henry b. Blackwell, of
Massachusetts,; Judge Carey, Of Wyoming,
and Representative John d. Long. The
committee room was crowded, and many
ladies and members were unable TO get
landing room. The bill proposed by the
association is as follows.
From and AFTER the passage OF this act fe.
male citizens of the United States q years Of
age and upwards residing In any territory, and
having the qualifications prescribed therein
for male voters, shall have n right to vote and
tory.
Miss Annie Shaw made a foroible and
eloquent address,, howing the impolicy and
injustice Of excluding one.half OF the citi-
zens. She urged the duty Of Congress to
guarantee in these young communities an
equal expression, such as has already been
voluntarily established by the men Of Wy
oming, Utah, and Washington territories.
Women need this power to protect them
selves and their children from many forms
Of Injustice, and to help the best men to
promote the general welfare.
Mr.. Blackwell showed by seventeen years.
experience in Wyoming, certified by five sue
cessive governors, leading officials Of both
parties, and all the newspapers, that woman
suffrage was success, and that nine-tenths
OF all the women voted. In Utah the
woman's vote had promoted order and tenn
perance, and had given them increased con-
sideration and respect. In Washington ter.
ritory, since 1888, the woman's vote has re-
ceived the approval Of both parties, and has
resulted in better legislation. School suf-
frage is now exercised by women In twelve
states and six territories. Full municipal
suffrage for unmarried women and widows
Is established In England, Scotland, Nova
Scotia, and Ontario. The Dakota legisla-
ture last year passed woman suf-
frage bill, but II was vetoed by Gov.
Pierce on the ground that its passage
would prevent its admission as state. IL
Is now proposed by the United States
Senate TO disfranchise $1,000 women of
Utah who are not polygamists, while allow
Ing male Mormons to vote. Legislation by
Congress Is needed to protect the rights OF
women In the territories against federal In
reference. Mrs. Mary Hunt showed The
and Washington territories by their volun-
tary enactment OF laws teaching children
the injurious effects Of alcoholic stimulants
and narcotics. She urged the suffrage for
women In the interests Of the home.
Judge Carey, delegate from Wyoming,
gave emphatic testimony to the good re-
suits Of woman suffrage In Wyoming. He
bad watched its operation there since 1859.
He knew no cases Of domestic discord. His
wife had voted for him several times, and
once against him. His mother-in-law had
voted for him repeatedly. I.aughter.1
Hon. John ID. Long, M. c., gave his
hearty Endorsement. Thejustice is evident,
the right of Congress is unquestionable.
He thought there should be no sex distinc-
tion in the right to vote. In regard to
question whether he did not think that
the suffrage by the non-polygamous wo-
men Of Utah would perpetuate polygamy,
he expressed contrary opinion. He was
opposed to inficting upon the innocent
penalty for crime.
At the close Of the hearing the associ-
alton gave the committee facts and argu-
ments In support OF their proposed bill.