, 1888-01-26
WOMEN SUFFRAGE.

WOMEN SUFFRAGE.
The bill introduced by Councils
man O. c. White of Columbia eoun-
ty, and which passed the council so
nearly unanimously, simply confers
the right of suffrage equally upon
the sexes, except that it exempts
women from jury duty. 1t was
transmitted to the House where it
was met by hostile minority who
arrayed themselves against it in the
use of all obstructive tactics known
to parliamentary science. Finally
the friends of the measure had to
combine in order to force it to an
issue. Opposition was led by Humes
of King county, the smartest parli-
amentarian and best debater in the
| Hous e, who from the committee on
Judiciary reported bill yesterday
submitting the question to vote of
the whole people in June next, and
enfranchising woman for the pur-
poses of that election. Some lively
spaTring ensued, but it became evi
dent that the suffragists whu had q
clear cut majority of five We're deter
mined 10 end the contest and get
this much discussed question out of
the way of other Legislation. And
so. the re-enactment. of the woman
suffrage law became matter of his
| pending, of course, the action
of Governor Semple. who can scarce
ly afford to vets it, no matter what
his personal convictions may be. 1t
cannot be called party measure
and yet its support WAS mainly re-
publican and It's opposition mainly
democratic 1t was not really be-
fore the Legislature upon its merits
but upon party pledges. The Re
publican party particularly had
championed and heartily endorsed"
it in territorial platforms, and by
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honesty than il bas done StiH, the
measure is a disturbing element in
politics, of doubtful expediency in
many places, and so decidedly uncer-
tain as to its effects that no philoso-
phic prophet can tell where or to
what party political advantage will
accrue. In its re adjustment by this
legislature it has probably seriously
affected the political aspirations of
more than one rising statesman on
either side who have riskcd decided
stand upon the issue So many pol
iticians act while calculating chances
as to further effects upon their indi-
yidual ambition that it is difficult to
get decision purely upon the mer-
It's of question of this kind There
is very general feeling of willing
ness to let this law stand if convinced
that it is desired by a majority of
both male and female citizens; hence
the desire to have it submitted to a
vote of the people finds SO many ad-
vocates. But perhaps the better
way will be to make it an issue, and
let the people, if they disapprove it,
elect members OF the next Legislature
pledged to its repeal. The result at
this time shows that in the main the
republican members believed them-
selves in duty bound to re enact the
law, and that party pledges are not a
vain thing. Opponents of equal suf-
frage used many strong arguments
and some with considerable skill
but chief among their fallacious
points was that about injury to our
chances for admission to statehood
This was used as sheet-iron thunder
to terrify timid ones when every
other consideration failed. Oonsid
ering that congress has power to in
validate the law, however, and that
it can pass a statehood enabling act
so framed that we must be admitted
without woman suffrage, the argu-
ment falls fat and stale-unworthy
of tne bright minds who originated
it.
RAILROAD LEGISLATION
Abuses of power by the Northern
Pacific and o. r. & N, and the exise
tence Of grievances in many places
for which redress could only come
in protective Legislative measures,
gave rise to to an anti-railroad cru
sade which, during the past few years
has enlisted the advocacy of states
men of the Voorhees, caliber (who
talked long and loud in the interest
of the "dear people," but opposed