St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1890-12-11
WOMAN SUFFRAGE.

the house of representatives on house
bill 81, we give in full :
The judiciary committee to which
was referred house bill number 1874,
entitled IAN act giving taxable fe-
male citizens the right to vote In
town, village and fire district meet
ings," have considered the same and
recommend that it ought to pass.
In making this report it is felt that
the Importance of the subject de-
serves more than a passing thought,
and that it is due the house to briefly
suggest some of the more prominent
reasons which have influenced the
committee in this matter
The petitions for municipal suffrage
of women generally, which have been
referred to the committee and taken
into considera ton in connection with
this bill, although this measure only
admits taX-payIng women to vote in
ordinary town and village affairs,
are signed by leading citizens of all
parts of the state and over 1900
names OF women appear upon them,
showing at least that number of fe
male citizens in the state, who, by
the only means in their power, have
expressed to this Legislature their de-
sire that the women of the state
should have municipal suffrage;
fact we feel important to state in
view of the oft repeated statement
by legislators and others, that WON
en- do not want to vote, but when
they do we shall not oppose them"
he Of .
right to vote generally, and hold of
fee, is fruitful theme for discussion,
and one about which many good
people honestly differ, this bill con-
fines us to the simple question of tax
alton and representation. So long
as every woman in the state tacitly
consents to be taxed and does not
ask representation, perhaps the Ord1-
nary legislator, who believes that to
be entitled to anything one should
ask for it, may be excused for not
giving more attention to this sub
Ject; but when a taxpayer, although
woman, does ask for representa-
ton, though she be alone in her re-
quest, the question in considering
which our forefathers spoke OF tyr
amy" comes home to us and we
cannot dodge the issue. The facts
are apparent that there are taXpay
ing women who may be carrying on
large business and have large prop
critics that are taxed for local purpO
ses, whose property is subject to be-
ing taken at the whim or caprice of
the male voter who may not have a
cent in the world, while they are de-
MED the privilege of registering even
protesting vote. If a woman may
vote upon stock which she holds in a
banking institution, a manufacturing
establishment, railroad or other cor
poration it is difficult to see why she
ought not to have the right to vote
in town or village meetings, which
may be likened to mOneyed corpora
lions of which the prOperty-owners
are the principal stockholders.
In fact your committee conclude it
is more from prejudice of long stand
ing than broad craftsmanship that
woman has heretofore been denied
this privilege, and while the conser-
vative legislator may hesitate to
take forward steps and the timid
may halt at the gate of lis it eXpedi-
ent," this move seems to us no eXper
iment; wOman's capacity to vote in
diligently and lose none of her fem
ininity having been fully demonstrate
ed, not only in our own country, but
in England, Scotland, etc, where
municipal suffrage has existed for
long time.
Wyoming gives us as state, as it
has for more than twenty years as a
territory, the result OF full suffrage to
women, and the testimony, is that
when first inaugurated it met bitter
opposition, which, however, soon
died out, and in 1875 only one mem
Der of the legislature opposed it, and
the auditor of Wyoming states over
his own signature, that he does not
know a person in the territory who
does not heartily endorse it.
In Kansas municipal suffrage has
recently been granted women, and at
the first election over %, 600 women
voted. While it yet is a new depart
ure there, and its workings cannot
be accurately judged of, the general
testimony is favorable and there are
no indications that the law will be
repealed.
In several states, as well as our
own, taXpay1ng women are allowed
to vote in school meetings, which has
in many instances had marked effect
for the better in educa tiOnal matters,
and the only objection seriously urg-
ed is the contested statement that
women do not avail themselves of
this privilege, but this reason has not
seemed to have enough weight, even
with the DIRECTORS who give it, to
call for the repeal of those laws.
While the committee have looked
at this question more from the side
of right withheld" the possibility
should not be overlooked that i'm
portant advantages to the state may
come from the passage of this bill.
Should it become a law and women
generally avail themselves of the priv
lege conferred, it is highly probable
that the grand list of the state would
be largely increased and consequent
lv the rate of taxation materially re-
duced, as many women possess large
properties, or their husbands at least
so consider it until after the annual
inventory is sworn to, which now
are not taxed, but which could not
escape if both husband and wife
were to make out an inventory.
While property openly held by wom-
an is reached now, the average lister
SO closely connects taxation" and
representation" that he seldom in
sists on, or even asks. a woman to
make out an inventory.
While many practical and moral
reasons why tax-paying women
should now be given the right to vote
Local MIGHT he ,,r-orad