Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-03-29
WOMAN.
A NEGLECTED PHASE OF THE WOMAN
QUESTION CONSIDERED.
is it Best for Society that Women Should
be Encouraged to Engage in
Business Pursuits?
[Prepared for the REcoRp.uN1oN

Professor Goodwin Smith, pioneer with
Bright and Mill for the enfranchisement of
women, lately changed his views, and now
occupies an adverse position (the Forum for
January, $780, because the best represent
atives of the sex do not favor the move
ment in their behalf Many American adj
vocates are experiencing a similar change
of mind, and it may be safely asserted that
the so-called woman question is to-day less
favorably considered, so far as the enfran-
chisement of the sex is concerned, than
twenty years ago.
ENHANCEMENT OF WOMEN.
But this reason is not the best, since it is
not always true that a class deprived of
privilege is the best Judge OF its own inter-
ests. Those of US who have been long ad-
vocates Of woman suffrage but are now
changing our views, while not disposed to
accept Professor Smiths reason as all-suffi-
Gent, may confess that it has great weight.
SO far as ner right to voice in the govern
raent that taxes her goes, il may not be de-
MED, nor may 1t be argued, that the scope
of woman's liberty should be limited, since
freedom is her heritage; but there are
phases OF the woman question that bear
upUu lue putty Vi commencement That
do not enough occupy the public mind.
SHOULD WOMAN BE MANS COMPETITOR?
Does not the highest good of both sexes
demand that the weaker shall not further
encroach upon the domain of the stronger
as a competitor? nswering the question
IN the affirmative, then the policy of the
true representatives of the sex, leaving the
suffrage right unclaimed, appears to be
wise. Had Professor Smith made inquiry
here, he would have found that the reason
the better representativ of woman refuse
to demand political equality is because
they realize that its grant would reduce
them to a less desirable condition.
He contents himself with asserting
that II is not essential TO good gov
eminent that woman should take part in it.
The idea that muscle has nothing to do
with the matter he pronounces a fallacy,
for the majesty of the law is maintained
by the reserve behind it of great force. The
laws women would enact would be mainly
sentimental and prohibitory, and men
would not respect them because of the lack
of force The tenderness and purity of
women. he holds, is due to the sphere of
the home; but thrown into the political
arena, these qualities could not be retained.
Admit that woman's instincts are more
honest, her intention deeper and clearer
would they not become dulled, and eyentu-
ally be as much corrupted as with men, if
subj ected 10 the same conditions? Benefi-
cence and tar-seeipg wisdom by women in
political rule has not been marked If. saws
Professor Smith, Victoria is cited as a
shining example, it is to be replied that she
does not govern-she reigns.
WOMAN AND THE BALLOT.
That woman without the ballot can
not exert as positive an Influence in
government is not true in fact he as
sertS since they are not class, bit q
ser Their interests are not distinct from
nor opposed to those of men, upon whom
they exercise powerful political influence.
In the United States we know it TO be true
that save in subordination OF community
property rights, and in matters of natural
guardianship, there is no phase of life for
woman in which any essential right is de-
MED her. 1t is not the woman who has
difficulty in getting justice against men.
says Professor Smith. Women are admit
ted to about all the learned professions,
and she moves when and in whatever
direction her tastes and desires dictate
Chivalry, which involves the acknowledged
need of protection, remains her shield de-
spite the conventional rant concerning
mans injustice to her. Woman has not
the ballot not because of mans selfshness
as Miss Anthony insists, bat because of his
fear that it would dethrone her.
THE VIEWS OF PROFESSOR COPE.
No stronger paper has been given us
upon the woman question than that of
Professor E. d. Cope. His points are that
the male sex, as rule, in nature is the
fgdter and provider. 1t is therefore
specialized in some respects, especially
csc necessary to success as a provder
b her reproductive functions woman ia
rrs,rained from the active part of man in
tn world. She inherits disability for such
a. vity. Taking male and female minds
al heir best, il is found that in those who
marry there is less waste of the higher
faculties; that in man there is greater
capacity for rational processes and for
work, in all lines demanding intelligence
and skill OF a high order. But he is less
capacitated than woman IN the aesthetic
department. In woman there is defici-
ency of endurance of the rat onal faculty,
less ability TO endure menta strain and
when this is pronounced lie hysterical
sets in. Woman, by reason OF the mater
nal instinct, is being of the affections and
emotions. But she has the capacity of
keeping up the appearance If possessing
qualities in which she is really deficient
So nature marks the distinction of the sexes
wisely. Departure from them is, therefore.
in defiance of Dature-a defiance that, long
continued, would work notification So,
following Professor Cope, / fear that press
ing into business by women will modify
far, then, asks Ny. Cope, should the func-
tons of the sexes in society be identical?
He replies, in cultivation of the mind in
competition IN business where women
greatly outnumber men, and polygamy is
not prac,iced. This, however, would be
simply yielding TO an unbending necessity.
But for the normal woman the home-life !
is easiest and best Neither by physical
nor mental constitution is woman adapted
to discharge political functions and il is i
here remarked that the progress of civiliza- !
ton has emphasized, no. diminished. the |
physical pecuiarities Of sex So. as civili- !
ton has steadily emsncipated woman from
the struggle for existence the woman
suffrage movement tends against civiiiza-
ton. and therefore % check the deyelop |
ment of woman Sle cannot carry INTO
execution what she enacts. and hence is i'll
adapted as a legislator. Woman suffrage
would therefore become
GOVERNMENT BY WOMEN
Alone. since the sexes could not. for the
reason given, take equal part in it. I'm
munitv from service would make women
irresponsible as voters. Because her action
has its source and spring in the emotional
nature, she has not the qualities to act as
Governors or iurists the quality of Justice
being essentially masculine. The suffrage
would divide sentiment IN households no
man would with equsnimity see his vote
nullified by that of his wife or daughter,
nor entertain with common courtesy be-
meath his roof The political opponents who
might be parisans of others of the house
Eold Politics would thus enter as peace
disturber, and sexual dscord. bad for both
sexes, be encouraged, and would be worst for
woman. In a few generations it would
suppress the distinctive feminine virtues,