The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-07
WOMAN SUFFRAGE.


The ST. Louis Post Dispatch has, as tele-
gram from that city informs us, in view OF
the results OF the recent elections in Kan
sas, interviewed 500 Missouri women as
to the suffrage question, and the result is
that most Of them confess themselves Re-
publicans, that not more than twenty are
in favor Of general suffrage, but a great
number desire to have tho right to vote
on the license and educational questions.
That is TO say, they desire TO vote on those
questions which they believe most nearly
affect the HOUSEHOLD and the home. Well,
il was in tho agitation for this right
that women won their first steps
toward regaining the right that in twenty
OF the States was for many years in the
inception OF the Republic an un-
questionable constitutional right. This
is the first stepping stone, and 1t
has so far proven solid one. The wo-
men Of the Territory OF Wyoming thus be-
gan, and now they vote for all officers,
municipal. county and State; so also did
the women Of the State Of Kansas, who
now also vote at all municipal elections,
Many Of them, rs in the town OF Oska-
lo5sa, holding Office rs Mayor and mem
bcr5 OF the town councils. In Texas the
women, By petition 10 the County Judge,
have voice in the selection OF school Of
ilcers; in Arkansas and Mississippi
they exercise the right Of petition
for and agans: liquor licenses in
Vermont they vote as taxpayers
on all questions affecting the public
schools Of the State; in Kentucky oil
widows vote on equal terms with men for
school officers aud in Massachusetts, all
women vote for school officers. Besides
partial OF complete suffrage is enjoyed in
Colorado, Dakota, Indiana, Michigan,
Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
Oregon and Wisconsin and is only for the
time being suspended in Idaho, Utah and
Washington Territories. So Tar rs this
country is concerned, thou, It is only
question Of time when the stupid idea that
woman is not the equal Of man will give
way 10 the truth Of nature and OF everyday
liie and women will everywhere, under
State and United States law, stand the
equal Of man, possessed Of all her natural
and inherent rights Of scli-governmcnt
II women can vote upon tho liquor qucs-
ton. II they can vote intclligcnlly for
school officers, why not for Governors and
and President? In the great Province OF
Ontario all single women and widows vote
for all elected officers, save two; In Mon
trcal and Quebec, and other cities Of the
Proyinc, OF Quebec women are voters by
law. aud In British Columbia they vote for
all officers but members Of the Provincial
aud Dominion Parliamcuis. In Manitoba,
Now Brunswick and Nova Scotia women
also vote. In England they vote for all
elective officers but members Of Parlia-
men,; In Ireland they vote Cor poor law
guardians, and In some cities for harboi
boards aud municipal officers; In Swe
den they enjoy the same mcasur,
OF suffrage ~ In England, aud in Russil
they vote for nll elective officers and on nj
local questions. aud have in all politica
agilalions a iorcmos, place. In Finlan,
women vote for al elective officers, II
Italy widows vote for Members Of Parlia
mcni, In Croatia and Damaiin they yot,
In person at all local elections, aud II
others Of the States that form tho Auslro
Hungarian Empire they vote by proxy a
nll elections, including those ior Member
OF the Provincial aud Imperial Parlia
mcnls. In Australia women enjoy thl
benefit Of suffrage at all municipal elec
tons la the Provinces Of Victoria, New
sonth Wales, Queensland, South Aus
tralia and New Zealand, and Il
the lallor two they yo,c Tor Member
Of Parliament In British Burma al
women vote who pay taxes, and all womc
can vote nj municipal elections in III
rwsldcncics Of Bombay and Madras, Eas
India Il will thus be seen that the Nil
souri, women interviewed by The ~. lou
Po,i. Dipaioh are, In 90 iar as they do no
claim their rights far behind those Of o,hC
States and Of tie Territories aud benin
those Of Australia, Of England. Of Russi'
Ausiro.llunglry, Of the Dominion Of Car
ada, aud Of British Buunah and BIRTHS
India. The world Is growing apace m
thc;c Is nothing more certain than that !
the near future women will, cycryWhci
that civilization rcachcS be- ~ free rs the
aud their equals a. voters aud oficc-hol,
ors.
EyrWnoDY who has enjoyed the poc,I
. aud prose Of tho shrcwd and kind