The Bessemer indicator., 1893-11-18
WOMEN S RIGHTS
And Some Rights Which They Can
not EuiOy.


the INDICATOR is able to furnish the
following valuable opinions of Attorney
General Engley on some points that are
causing much discussion:
The women of Colorado have just
been enfranchised, but they haven't
quite all of the privileges of the men
yet
woman may, as soon as the govern
or issues his proclamation announcing
the enfranchisement of the "better
half of humanity" hold any civil offics
in the gift of the people of the state.
The ladies cannot sit on juries. how
ever. and they can't wear swords as
officers in the state militia except, as in
the case of the governor. when the
military office is incidental to the civil.
The fair sex cannot be required to pay
a military poll tax.
There has been much discussion and
much difference OF opinion since the
election as to just what powers Colo
RADIO women have attained. To settle
some disputed points the Times wrote
to Hon. Eugene Engley, attorney
general of Colorado, asking for a
formal opinion upon the points in
question. With characteristic prompt
ness aud courtesy Mr. Engly prepared
the following:
The act of 1898 (sess laws page 250)
submitted to vote of the people the
question of woman suffrage only.
Having been adopted by the people.
women in consequence are permitted to
vote at all elections TO the same extent
as men. But no privilege is conferred
on them by the law except the right to
vote, and such further rights as are
necessarily dependent thereon.
Article I, section g. of the consti,u-
ton reads as follows: No person ex-
cept qualified elector shall he elected
or appointed to any civil or military
Office in the state.
Were it no, for this limitation in the
constitution all persons other than
qualified electors would be entitled to
generally to every member of the body
polite, under our system of govern
ment, unless qualified by law. Hence.
the people having removed the re-
striction in the case of women in the
matter of suffrage, then natural or
civil right to hold office is now unim-
paired.
The legislature has the power to
limit the exercise of public functions TO
any class of the people The right to
vote does not necessarily carry with it
the right TO sit on juries.
The extension of the right of suf-
frage to women does not abrogate the
provision of the act of 1885 tsess. laws
p. 283) BY that act only 'malc" in
habitants are declared competent to
serve as grand and petit jurors.
Article II, section /, of thu con
stitution says that 1.-The militia of the
state shall consist OF all able bodied
male residents of the state 80"
BY the act of 1889 tsess. laws p. 3s3)
every able bodied male citizen" is
subject TO military duty.
The same act Up. 399) requires the
military poll tax to be levied upon each
male inhabitant. The general poll
tax can be levied only on able bodied
male inhabitants. G. S. section 2s13.
Our supreme court has recognized
the constitutional provision first quoted
as being the only thing in the way of
the holding of Office by "a woman.
8. Colo, 62s; II Colo. 19i,
Hence. it appears;
/. That woman may. as soon as the
governor shall issue his proclamation,
hold any civil Office in this state.
2. They are not subject or eligible to
jury duty.
B. They are not eligible to military
Office except as the same may be
incidental to the exercise of civil
office
A. They cannot be required 10 pay
military or general poll tax.
EUGENE ENeLEy,
Attorney General.