The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-08-22

cuSSl0n OF subjects OF general lutertSt W
women All communications should be
brief Those which will appear will reflect
only the views of the writer's
A SIXTEENTH AMENDMENT.
Extending the Right of Suffrage to the
Women of America.
Editor W0nan's Column, Morning Call:
Not long ago Mr.. Casswell of the United
States Judiciary Committee presented to
the House resolution in favor of a six
teenth amendment to the Constitution of
the United States, extending the right of
suffrage to the women of America.
The resolution has over and over again
been brought before the American Con-
gress Up to this time, however. it has
net with adverse action from the commit
tee, if any action were had. This is the
first time favorable report has ever been
made. 1t is proper, therefore, said Mr..
Casswell, in presenting the report, to as
sign some of the reasons which have led US
to this conclusion.
The Declaration of Independence Iecites
that governments derive their just powers
from the consent of the governed. A re-
publican form of government is based upon
that principle.
1t cannot be denied that the women of
this country form most conspicuous part
of the people who are governed by our
laws. They constitute nearly one-half OF
the people, and are citizens with an in
dividuality in the States equal 10 men, eX-
cept in this one particular. And the queS-
ton is presented whether we will remove
that barrier and place them on an equality
with men, or whether we Will continue
them in their shOrn condition, with prop
erty and homestead rights in the States as
well as on the public domain, without a
vote or voice in making laws to protect
their possessions. They have as much In
terest in the public welfare and the happl-
ness of the people as is possible Tor the op-
posite sex to have. 1t is difficult to see how
and in what way they assent to the laws
which are enacted to govern them. Ger
tainly not all of them through their hus-
bands, for they do not all have husbands.
BY the census of 1880 it appears the male
population of the States, and OF suf1lclent
age to vote, was u $50 $40 and the females
I in number were nearly equal to the males.
At the last election there were 11,S92,3S
votes cast for President, all OF winch were
by the males. We NAY then fairly assume
| that there are in the country to-day
100000 WOMEN
| OF suitable age and citizenship who might
| exercise the right of suffrage If 1t were eX-
! tended to them. Processing as we do great
| liberality toward our fellow beings, and
| humane policy toward all, how can we
| close our eyes to the many appeals which
! come to US from some at least OF the r.,
| O0O, 900 DISTINGUISHED citizens of the United
| States praying for a submission of their
rights to the legislatures of the States for
| action in their sovereign capacity. Ger
| tainly Congress does not wish to assume
the attitude of denying justice to any, one.
| much more to SO large class OF people as
| are interested in this proposition.
No 6n ennnDSp that all women would
| vote if they could nCr do all of the men
| vote. 1t is a question more material to us
TO know whether we are unlustly Withhold
| ing privilege from such as do care to take
| part in the elections.
1t is objected that if women become vot-
ers they will seek and sometimes hold office.
| If the people wish them TO act as public
servants, and they are willing to accept the
| trust, it is not easy to explain why they
| should not
1t would not be the first time women have
| held positions of trust and honor. They
| have been absolute rulers in some cOun-
| tries, and where the women were not held
| in such high esteem as in this country. Vic
| tOria has ruled England for half century,
| and with marked success. Josephine was
| more acceptable to France with Napoleon
| banished. History is full of examples of
| the reign of women, ana in the most civil
| lied countries of the world.
| 1t cannot be said our women are deficient
| in intellect or in education.
BY the last census it appears that eighty
| nine per cent Of our females could read
| and write, while a large proportion of the
men who vote cannot read the ballot they
cast.
In many of the States women may vote
| for school purposes. She is trusted in this
most important branch of the government
! service. She may vote money for the cree
| ton of schOOl-hOuse, but not for the build
| ing Of a courthouse or Jail. She partici-
| n tka SplpptiOD and gunOOTt Ot teach
| ers for our children in whose welfare we
| are so much interested, but she cannot take
part in choosing the jailor who has the
| custody of criminals. She can discharge
the higher duty, but is disqualified for the
lower. Is not this distinction without
reason? Does it not look like absolute in
| consistency? Should we not sit down and
reason together, to see if deep-rooted
| prejudice does not lie at the foundation Of
| the
| OPPOSITION TO FEMALE SUFFRAGE
1t is better to be somewhat flexible and
| yielding than remain in rut that knows
| no progress.
IL is said if the women could vote. dis
| cord and domestic troubles would find place
in our homes. This is only theory, and the
evidence fails to support the plea. The
| bright intelligent women Of this country
| will discuss the political and economical
| questions that interest the people at home
| and through the press, whether they can
| vote or not 1t is reasonable TO suppose ii
they could vote their sentiments and make
themselves felt in that way they would have
less occasion to force their views upon their
husbands. Now, ii is the only way in which
| they can be heard OF represented. If the
men are to vote for the women they must
| expect to listen to their appeals, deeply in
terested as they are in the laws which are
made to govern them; nor can we see that
it would impair her womanly nature to at
tend the polls and cast her vote.
If polling places are not orderly it is time
they were, and we know of no remedy more
effectual than frequent visits oil ladies dur
ing the hours of election. There exists no
reason why these proceedings should not
be conducted with as much order and de-
corum as any other branch of business, or
at least, public assemblies Men do not
often so far forget themselves as to abuse
the presence of ladies on public occasions.
GitrOy. dug. 1890. S. s.