The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-08-29

life which she must discharge Experishce,
cultivation, ard the acquisition OF knowledge, ih
business as well as in other lines, tend to broad
the mind and refine the manners OF all elias ses
OF people, and The women are no exception "
This rule. Until recently Il married woman c0u!o
net hold and enjoy separate estate; her exist.
enee was merged in her husband for purposes OF
this kind. II was said that to give her an estate
sepal ale from her husband would create dlscord
in the family. The same objections were
raised which are now urged against
female suffrage. But as States have pro
crossed in the enactment Of liberal laws.
they have nearly all given married women
the right TO acquire and hold separate proper
lies; the same as II sole. 1t has not been discov
cred that such right has destroyed or impaired
Tie domestic relations OF married people. bul,
on the contrary, in numerous instances the wlle
has furnished shelter and home, with Inc eS-
tate which frugal life and regard Tor her enhi GILL
dfen has enabled her 10 acquire; ana more, sho
has furnished home for the less siccesslui nus
band showing conclusively that It were Dette el
and more consistent II the ballot were piaceu III
her hands rather than in his.
THIS AUTHORITY
To acquire and hold property in her own right
has transformed her to that extent, and made
her much more useful and valuable member Oh
society, both Tor the public and the lndlvGua.
We refer TO this legislation and success on tie
part of woman not 10 illustrate or prove her apl-
lily TO Transact business or to vote wisely. Ior
that needs no argument or Illustration. But oy
The reference we Illustrate the prejudice Whieh
was SO long entertained by the men, and where
and the consequent blessings which flow from IL
were Withheld from her. Shall we stop 10 III
quite whether II is nos that same prejudice that
wthholds from woman the elective franchise ~
the present day? One by one, as the peopo
progress toward n more perfect form of govern
ment these inequalities and relics OF barbara
system OF government will be cast oft ana re.
lected. They descended 10 us from an ancestry
born in the atmosphere of oppression.
In the sunlight of religious libeity and ciyiiiza
ton. we will move onward and secure greater
equality Tor all our people, and IN Il lew years
we shall not stop TO inquire OF what sex they
may be.
In lie Foriy-sixth Congress the present
Speaker of the House, then Il member of tins
committee. submitted the views OF I'll e minority,
with great force and clearnesS. in favor OF the
passage of a resolution like the one before US.
In the Forty ninth Congress Mr.. Ezra b. lay
Tor, tie present Chairman of the committee, eA-
pressed the views of the minority with an atgI'
ment which cannot be eXcelled or answered.
From this report we quote the following para
graphs which so well express the views oil thls
committee
We believe that they are now entitled to imme-
diate, sure and absolute enfranchiSement.
Frst-Because their own good demands it, Give
woman the ballot. and she will have additional
means and inducements 10 a broader and better
education, including knowledge OF affairs, when
give her the ballot and you add TO her means OF pro-
lection TO her person and estate.
THE BALLOT A POWERFUL WEAPON
OF defense, sorely needed BY too weak to WELD
any other and to take it from such TO give II to one
already clothed in strength and fully armed would
appear to be unjust, unfair and unwiSe to one ulac
customed TO the sight. Long usage sanctions ana
sanctifcs wrongs ard abuses and causes cruelty 20
be mistaken for kindness. The history of woman
is. for the most part, history of wrong aud out
rage. Created the equal companion of man she
became his slave and is still in most parts OF tue
world In many so-calied Christian nations OF Ea-
rope she is TODAY yoked with beasts and doing tue
labor of beasts While her and husband are serF
ing i'll The army, protecting the divine right OF
kings and men 10 Stay and destroy. In the farther
East she IS still more degraded being sub jtaniiaily
excluded from the world
The Acknowledgement OF twelve millions OF
pecre who are citizens of 4 republic sht uld com
mand from us an Immediate and decisive action.
II the women OF this country are unlustly de
prved Of Il right so essential TO complete citizen
ship III republic as the elective franchise com
mon justice requires that we should submit Us
proposition for a change in the fundamental law
TO the STATES, when the correction can be made
1t should be stated. however, In this report,
that some members OF Tie committee who joined
in il do not wish TO be understood as committed
to its ina passage, but, rather, To presentation
of The subject 10 The House, for further consider
alton
The committee report the resolution back TO
The House, with a recommendation that II pass.
II we err. we prefer IL shall be upon the side OF
hb-raiy In the form OF our government.
GGToy, august, 1890. ). ;.