The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-18

Woman Suffrage.

Woman Suffrage.
To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
Your editorial In Sundays Journal entitled
woman Suffrage" very readable and en-
tertaining, but ask permission to offer mild
criticism one or two points. You say. 'fhe
great trouble experienced by these entsrprising
workers 10 in securing practical results" The
pioneers in the movement feel that they can
point to a great many practical results. just
forty years ago was made the first public de-
msnd for equal rights for women. educational,
industrial and political It was considered the
M st preposterous demand ever made upon the
face of tho earth. 1t was contrary to ell the
traditions of all the NATIONS that had ever ex-
listed. No reform ever met with as universal
opposition It took two hundred years and
civil war reform the United States on the
question of slavery. And yet in one-hfth of that
time by Pc aceable and legitimate methods, see
the advance M emit that has been made in tho
direction of equal rights.
Forty years ago IL was hardly thought neces-
sary to educate girls at all: they were not per-
mitted to enter the city high schools and even
the female seminary" was almost unknown.
To-day the educational advantages OF women
good those OF men, and that thew are
awaiting themselves of these privileges may be
shown by the fact that, although they have only
enjoyed these opportunities for few years. the
per cent OF literacy in tho United States Ii less
among women than men.
Forty years ago there were not half Q dozen
avenues of employment open to women. At the
present time there not half dozen occupa-
tons that she may not follow if she is compe-
tent and desires to do SO.
Forty years ago the laws were so unjust to
women that they read like chapter from the
dark ages. Now, in Indiana. Ohio and several
other States they are almost exactly the same
for men and women IN the majority OF the
States they reasonably just, and In every
State the tendency is toward legal equality
with regard TO the two sexes. THESE three
points. educational. industrial pursuits and the
1o~ nd all th0 tvvn fol inc nnhl il
ment and political rights, might DO enlarged
with hundreds of examples. but for the wish to
make this article of the briefest possible extent
Fourthly " consider for an ms ant the
derfni change in the public sentiment regarding
so-called wornans rights. In all except the
right of snffraes there is scarcely diversity of
opinion. Once in awhile some antediluvian
preacher utters faint 80 ueak against the higher
education of women, but ne is laughed out of
that any longer tries to bar women out, and they
cannot do it. Within the last two years over
thousand newspapers have begun printing
column devoted 10 the advancement of women
Every large newspaper has it .Womans De
partmept," and woman's magazines and papers
are springinR up all over the land. Womsns
clubs are thicker than blackberries, ard women
speakers divide the platform and the honors
with their brother orators. In fact the latter
half Of the nineteenth century has been fairly
taken possession of by women and but little re-
maine for them to ask but political rights.
They sitting upon school boards, over one
hundred in the State of Massachusetts, alone;
pitals and benevolent institutions; they are
found as matrons at the jais and police stations
they fill the position of deputy to every city and
county Office; they act as county superintend-
ents and sit upon juries. But with ali this get
ting have they not obtained any political privi
leges2 Well, yes, few. just right or two.
but yet worth mentioning
In Wyoming Territory women have voted on
equal terms with men for eighteen years. In
Washington Territory they have voted about
four years. In Kansas women have full NUM-
cipal suffrage. In twelve States and two Terri
tories they have school suffrage. Last winter
vote on woman suffrage was obtained in tho
United States Senate, ana also in half dozen
State Legislatures. In none OF the latter was
there a large majority opposed. In Kansas q
bill passed botn houses with little opposition.
Michigan and Rhode Island submitted equal
suffrage amendments to the people, hat they
were SO handicapped with prohibition features
that they failed PASS Rhode Island has again
submitted the amendment Indiana. Ohio. Illi-
nois. Iowa, Nebraska and many of the Eastern
States are being thoroughly organized to obtain
equal suffrage. Where a few years ago there
was one believer there are now a hundred. and
as the Journal truthfuliy says. THE arguments
OF the reformers long ago produced their effect
on the Intelligent part Of the community SO far
as intellectual assent to their proposition is
concerned"
The above is q very inadequate statement of q
part of the work done by the so-called woman
reformers,r but it seems incredible that any one
could consider these great changes and then ask
what practical results" have been securedl
The whole condition of women has been changed
not been accomplished through these earnest
champions of equal rights would be rank Unjust
ice for in every instance their influence may be
plainly seen. The mere natural progress of
lghtened civilization would never have granted
the equal privileges OF the present day if some
woman or body of women had not asked for and
insisted upon them. and, whenever it was posi-
Bile. taken possession without leave or license.
The women of the present generation must
knowledge their Indebtedness to these brave,
patient, misunderstood, misrepresented cham
pi0ns of equal rights. Ii their labors ended
now they would be rich in practical results"
and If they must pass away without seeing what
they have always labored for, government of.
by and for the people, they may rest assured
that younger women are ready to take up the
work where they lay 1t down and carry 1t to
completion.
There two other points in the Sunday
editorial. 1.-The Indifference of women" and the
theory that man is a tyrant and BRUTE" that,
with permission of the Journal, will be noticed
hereafter. Space forbids at this time.
IDA A. HARPER,
State Secretary Ind. w. S. 4.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind.