The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-03-17
AN APPEAL FOR WOMEN.
Mrs. Clara FOitz Urges the Signing of
the Suffrage Bill,

NA@N CaAas
Governor Markham has a measure before
him for Endorsement or veto. L. is the
women's electoral suffrage bill.
Yesterday Mrs. Clara Fultz, the attorney.
telegraphed the Governor asking him to
''sgnalze his administration by approving
the measure"
Max Pepper had previously wired the
Governor to withhold his signature from the
bill until be had seen how it would affect
san Francisco.
Mr.. Peppers position regarding the bill
allowing women TO vote at elections for
school officials is that it is opposed to the
constitution and directly in conflict with the
ballot and election laws. The constitution
limits voting privileges to males and, 1t is
claimed by the bilPs opponents, that until
this is amended no women's suffrage bill
can be valid. Then, again, it is asserted
that separate ballot-boxes would be re-
CURED, leading 10 confusion.
1he measure Is supported by the
State w mems Suffrage Association, of
" hich Mrs. A. A. Sargent is said 10 be
president and Mrs. AdGie l.. Ballou vice
presiden, and by the Wompn's Christian
Temperance Union, whose president is Mrs.
Sturdeyant Peet.
Mrs. Clara Foltz, n member Of the
Women's Suffrage Association, spoke very
unreservedly yesterday in recommendation
of the wOmen's bill.
II know or no rrason in the world for re-
fnsing women the privilege OF voting for
school officers and for members of school
boards. What If 1t does affect San Fran
cisco. rs Mr. Pepper seems TO fear? Are
not most Of the San Francisco teachers
women, and who have more interest in the
schools here than the San Francisco
women?
THE present system makes it obligatory
on women DESTROYS of obtaining position
IN the schools to 90 round hobnobbing with
men, which is unseemly and unwomanly,
and brings censure on them, besides fur
nishlng bad example Tor children. John
Stuart Mill says an intriguing class is
dangerous class and the present law in
Viies a system of intrigue"
am emphatic. she concluded, against
any man or set OF men who will dare in this
enlightened age, when women receive the
highest diplomas and hOnors in all open
competitions, TO deny them equal privileges
with men. 1t is simply ridiculous and lot
TO be tolerated. Chinese, idiots, insane per
sons, ETC., are mentioned by the constilu-
ton as classes barred from suffrage, bnt
women are not mentioned. Since woman is
not within the classes barn ed she must be in
a class not barred, aud certainly the Legis-
latnre may confer the privilege by statute.
That the bill should become law seems
hardly to need argument; certainly it can
not be much longer delayed"
Max Pepper returned from Sacramento
last evening, and stated that lie had pointed
out 10 the Governor the serious complica-
lions which might arise in San Francisco il
the proposed wOman's suffrage bill became
law.
There was not so much danger in the
country districts. but in San Francisco.
where "blanket-sheep" ticket prevailed,
there was nothing to prevent women voters
from voting for other offices besides those
limited by the bill.
In Boston, recently, some 10000 votes had
been thrown out owing to a similar con-
fusion. lie said that as a result of his
representa- the Governor had asked
him TO submit legal opinions on the subject
and that he proposed inviting briefs from
Dennis McEnerny, Dorm d Dorm and other
authorities.
In the meantime, the bill would remain
unsigned, together with some $50 others in
the Governors hands