Telegram-herald., 1891-03-06
DON'T WANT TO VOTE.
Illinois Women Protest Against Bill to
Extend Municipal Suffrage.

SPRINGFIELD. Ill.,, March 5.-An in
terestlng petition has reached the men,
bers of the Illinois General Assembly.
1t is signed by some of the best known
Of Chicago's society ladies and is pro-
test against the bill extending munici-
pal suffrage to women and denouncing
rs false and pernicious all attempts to
secure legislation in that direction.
Among the signers are women of ad-
vanced thought and culture and who
are in the affairs with which women
are identified. The following excerpts
are taken from the petition:
'Busy in the cares of their homes,
women have neither time, strength nor
inclination to enter the public arena
and defend themselves against doings
which they earnestly believe to be per-
nicious and destructive of the true
power and influence of women in their
homes"
The French revolution is reviewed
and authorities cited TO prove that
woman suffrage would result in degra-
datlon of the sex. Instances of COM
munistlc societies, ETC., are instanced,
with implied destruction of the family
relation, and the petition adds: "When
women share with men the burden m
labor and government, communism.
with all that implies is already beguof
We regard the question of
property rights of comparatively few
women as one of MINOR importance
compared with the vastly greater right
Of women in general to the mainten-
ance and protection in the home, while
they are engaged IN the absorbing
Offices and duties Of wonanhood: !:
and this paramount right of woman is
threatened with entire destruction by
the socialistIc doctrines above cited.
We exhort you TO remem-
her that above all human laws stands
those great natural laws inherent In
the universe, which no man. nor body
of men, can contfavene, and that these
laws have forever established differ
ence between the powers aud privileges
of the sexes. 10 disregard which il to
invoke toe penalties by which they are
relentlessly enforced. We beg you con-
sider that the revolution OF France
could not override these laws, but fell
crushed under the burden: that in 40
far ss any political body in this coun-
try has attempted 10 do 80 IT has
suffered defeat and We believe no
greater misfortune can attend the
forming lsbor party Of this country, n
its attempt 10 secure legislation IN the
interest Of farmer, artisan and laborer
than tha. Il should espouse false and
pernicious doctrine of the political
rights Of woTnen. We
pray, therefore. that no matter what
argument to the contrary may be urged
upon you. az legislators for the com
mon sealth, you vii stand by tllst afs-
Gent bulwark Of liberty, the home, re-
nnsmbering that same power Which
SAWS 20 al rnen. Behold, God = your
Father, and al ye are fHethrsn.' hss
foned Also the husband and wife ss
one flesh for the hrsriBz and reaYing of
chIl6rs1 ard rnaintersaBcs sf socSety.
and hss given 70 each Their own DIS
tsnctive and equally heBoFsbse share
II the labors ard rewards ef lie"
The ls9les. - conclgsson, say thsy
have bed eo1scd with many r0nen in
different parts of TIRE stsss, snd feel
assured TIE pet;tson represents t5s
ssses of a. OVERWHELMING majority of
tfe w5nnen - Illscois-