The morning call., 1890-05-23
AN ANSWER TO s. S.
Some Reasons Why Men Who Can vii
Not Cast Ballot.

Some Reasons Why Men Who Can VIII
Not Cast Ballot.
Editor lV0nlGn'S Column, Morning Call
In pursuing the article on the ballot and
why men who can will not vote" by
S. S., | am led to believe that she thinks
that the simple act of putting little piece
Of paper in a box called ballot-box, and
said paper having list of printed name S
upon it, gives men the power to choose their
rulers here in the United States. | infer
from her letter, also, that she imagines that
people in forei gn lands do not vote, and that
the ignorant foreigners who came here seek
or are given the franchise and because they
never enjoyed it before they know and care
nothing for its power, "but they learn with
us that it is a potent weapon" Now, Mr.
Editor if you Will be so kind as to permit
me to show S. S. that thinking men have
found our present ballot system a snare
and delusion, will be very glad for / am
a great admirer of every strong true thought
that friend S. S. gives us in the Woman's
Column of the MORNING CALL, and her
words are teaching many women that they
have other duties than to pet poodle dogs
and spend their time and money in fashion
and folly. But to return to the question.
WHAT IS SUFFRAGE?
We know that scientists who run in the ruts OF
the has beeP Tor. as Fourier puts il, having
eyes only in the backs of their heads) and roll.
iicians, who live by expedicnts and trade upon
the &, neral acceptance OF they say SOS" viii
Tell you That suffrage means the power of lie
majority OF voters to control the Government,
But gradually Inc thinkers In the world have
made, from careful and long ontnued .observa-
lions I'D several countries, This startling discOv-
cry; thal under our present so-called "Iepresen-
tatiVe" process men have the power to put a
piece OF paper, called ballot, IN a box called a
ballot box; but that a power which they not
ntrOl n tat2 fl,a
names upon that paper and holds tie fort in the
count. All who have cleared from their vision
The false medium through which public affairs
are viewed have learned that our boosted ballot
gives 10 the voter no freedom OF choice, but only
an option OF masters; that this practical dis
reimbursement exieDds not only to the moral
educated aud intelligent, but 10 the entire mass
OF male adults, excepting politicians and their
employers AS 10 sex. the only difference Is
that, While men are permitted to 20 through The
forms OF voting, 50 far az to have option between
two sets Of men, nominated mol by them, but for
them, women arc not even permitted the appear :
ance of choice, though they are the mothers OF
the race, and must abide by the laws which ma
1oIiiies OF men are falsely assumed TO make. but
which are really made for them by two or more
combinations OF political managers. In ell her
ease the political results are the same, one sex
Deihg Wiling slaves aud the other the uncon-
sciOuS tools OF manipulators.
THE PRESENT BALLOT PROVED FRAUDULENT.
why is this? What are the mathematics Of
the subject?
When there are parties, 1t is rarely that one
exceeds the other by more than ten to nine: aud
the number VINO stay away from the polls is
never less than one I'm six aud Often one in four
who might vote II they so chose. Consequently,
the members of legislative body are seldom
even voted for by oDe-half OF their constituency,
never taking INTO consideration all The women
adults That have To biue by laws made In this
manner
But does this half DIETER say a fhird) that do
vote really wanl Them? Not at all. They vote
1orone OF Two tickets because they are made 10
believe That The one they vote for Is not guile 3
bad as HE o!her. Neither the half nor a ma
loilty OF that hall, had anything to do wi Ii the
nominating conventions. The Century Maya
zine says In late article on Ballot REFORM :