The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-02-24
PC. ELDERS PROTEST.
To the Editor of the Eagle.

To the Editor OF the Eagle
He SAYS first that ''the bill if it be-
comes a law it will be unconstitutional. }"
He probably thinks SO: but others as
well or better Informed, say, that the con-
stitution of Kansas does not prohibit the
legislature from granting suffrage to
women. If we admit that his statement
is true, why not change the constitution.
1t was made by the men and ought be
changed if through it injustice is done
half the people.
Second-He says public sentiment is
against the policy of giving women their
freedom. Let US ascertain of what this
public sentiment is composed. 1t IS
made up largely Of the lower classes.
The foreign element is opposed: the idea
of woman's inferiority is a part OF their
nature The ignorant class say no: the
criminal Just pardoned also registers his
disapproval. while the whisky men all
over the globe are more opposed to the
enfranchisement of women than the
prohibitionists. 1t is true. a small pro-
portion of good, intelligent men vote
in opposition. but they have their
innate pride. and inherited tendencies to
contend with; and feel that it would
compromise their dignity TO have women
raised to a plane of equalization. This
sentiment is public in as far as 1t relates
to men only. Women have never been
allowed to vote upon this important
question which affects their own destiny.
Sutfragists realize, It's useless to appeal
to the masses of men: they have too
much vice and ignorance to contend
with; but will in the future direct their
efforts principally to intelligent men and
| legislative bodies.
His third proposition is no argument,
he simply states fact that the rights of
women in Kansas is in advance of any
| other state" He should add except
Wyoming This can be used in favor Of,
rather than against suffrage. :.
Fourth-"Woman suffrage will not
help their condition" Let us have a
chance to see by a fair trial for few
years before he makes such an assertion.
In Wyoming where women have
been voting for twenty years.
no dire results follow. Women
90 on with their usual voca-
tons and men love and respect them
| lust the same, and doubtless society
there is equally as good-certainly no
more depraved than in our boosted Kan
sas. 1t is simply false TO say that the
good TO be derived from, and the evil to
be suffered from laws imp sed. apply
| equally TO men and women. There are
laws which apply 10 women only, and IN
which men are not concerned. Espe-
cialiy is this true with reference to
widows and unmarried women, and oc-
casionally a married woman has q faint
| idea that the law is not always equally
| fair TO women.
Fifth. He fears that suffrage will
bring women TO the primary, to the eau
Gus and election, TO the jury room, the
| bench and legislature. just where we
| think they ought to 60. Then better
men will be nominated. and elected;
woman can be tried by her peers and no
unjust laws will be imposed when women
are members of the Legislature and con-
| stitute part of the constituency OF all
members.
Sixth-If Mr.. Elder viii take the
trouble 10 read few yards of the SUIT
frsge petitions that are annually sent TO
the legislature. or visit a suffrage con-
vention. lie will find that il IL not the
ambitious, office-seeking women asking
/ for suffrage, but women as class IN
most every class Of life. The Alliance
women.. especially, are asking for repre-
/ sentatioD-
. wonder why women vii Be da4.es-