New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-07-06
WOMLN IN MICHIGAN.
THEY NAY VOTE IN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.
An TnrcAT1ONAL oUALI1C ALTON CoNS1ITU-


TrONAIITY OF THE ACT QUESTIONED.
Detroit. July (>pcciaD.-The Lcri' m'"re ol
Michigan. which adjourned in May, did more TT
tho cousc of woman suffrage than any friend OF the
movoment deemed possible nj the opening OF the
session. For many years the woman si'raH>S OF
the state have worked hard at "ach b'hhia' session
OF the Legislature TO secure the passie' OF laws 'ha'
would give them the right q vot" a all "ic'uoh> ol
the state Usually this work has taken the 1orih OF
pressing the passage Of a resolution shonh'h"S '"'
matter to n vote Of The people in the form OF con-
Siitutional amendment. Invariably TINS resolution
has failed in one house or the other. Two years ago.
however the women succeeded In securing III" pas
sage Of n law that gave the women o' p"ro' "'e
right Of suffrage in school elections. ON III" boaru
OF Education in Detroit there are now two women
INSPECTORS. one elected Rcpnbllcan hckc'. 'l-
other by n combination OF women and Democrats.
This spring hard fight was made TO overthrow a
BOARD Of Fducaton that was incompetent. reckless
and charged with corrupt practices. The women
took active part I'm the election in nearly every ward
although they had hut one candidate Of Their S"N'
The result that every member Of the old Board
who stood for recollection defeated. and body
that had n large Democratic majority found ITSELF
safely Republican.
Inspired by their success in securing th" ballot AZ
school elections the women attacked tlis years SOS
sion ~ the Legislature with tremendous zeal y large
lobby kept al Lansing. an unrcmlfting odcanohhl
campaign was waccd on the legislators Mis- Anthony
brought to the capital to uSc her Slill III TIE
cause. and nothing was spared that might help 10
win larger franchise. Their cfor> were unavailing
The hll T. submit q constitutional amendment went
down though by n narrow majority. The organized
movement collapsed at once. and the women departed
from the capital much cast down.
Pu there is m organization In Detroit called the
independent Women Voters. This society deter nincl
to take hand believing thai half loaf T. better
oil lie roo M lpl
cecctcst members to Lansing charged with IN" duty
OF pressing upon the Legislature request for munich
pal suffrage for female citizens. Their success was
remarkable Although they did not secure the
passage OF hcr bill in it, original form. by agreeing
10 an amendment establishing an educational quail
lcatiOn for the 10 satisfy the prcludlccS Oi
some OF the conservative Legislators. they got the
measure through both houses and signed by the
Governor. The provisions Of this act ar rs follows
"In al school, village and city elections hereafter
held in this state. women who are able to read Tie
Constitution OF the State OF Michigan. printed in the
English language, shall be allowed 10 vote for al
school village and city officers, ana on all questions
pertaining school. village city regulations, on
the same terms and conditions prescribed 10y law for
male citizens Before any woman shall be r'gl>tcrcd
her 10 read, and she shall read, in the presence oil
o 81 h S0? sae at in rn nt en-: Sn % constitution
voter Shan cnjoy al the ncn,, privileges and I'm
muniics, ana b" subject 10 all ~ P'hatl's pre-
scribcd for voters AT tchos and municipal election,
thus in Michigan may now nol only vote
az the elections designated hut she may be elected
no, Impossible that women gain political contr"
II the city Of Detroit, or Of any other town OF
Michigan.
IL is ccrtain that this new element in the muiripa
politics Of the State i bound 10 have great Influence
upon present conditions. provided the wnn"r tame
Tie interest in the elections that they ar" cNprct"i 10
take. The Democrat, in The Legislature "a" ui ana
they fought The passage Of Tho measure with All
their strength. They declared that n" "ducaii ol
| ,r,oli fi.off
secure control Of the larger cite, Of IL" STATE" most
| Of which normally Dem scrauc. In these ciirr
there Is large illit'r rate ana 'orci-n born 81 'ul "
bulk Of which nearly always votes ID" Democratic
ticket. strong allies 81 the Democrats III Detroit.
FOR instance. are Tho Poles very f." Of whom ar"
able 10 speak English much los I" read the printed
/ language IN The opinion Of the lrmorrat-. III
women In the wards where there Is ~" most ton
ecncc, and which generally contain Republican major
| itc~. will be able 10 vote Will" the women ~ Tn"
foreign ward, where the y, mocrac m1loril"N arr
| will be largely di,iranchisod. hi, VIII CIV" -"
Republican. municipal control and thereby great tn
fuoncc upon State and National elections.
Failing In their efforts I" defeat In" m"hslr" IN
tho Legislature. Is opponents hope 70 irdncc n.
! the cons'nion'lity 81 Inc act. Ih"F nav" w."
| points where they intend 10 max" assault. ON" Is
that the act is ,raiast re COZ iu,i"n hrca".r iha,
election held i'm his state hall j." male citizen
therefore the Legislature could not confer M" reAt
| upon female citizens. The other Pi - aiiaol !,
the educational qualification clause, which i also hell
| 10 De- unconstitutional.
| The friends Of the maintain that the co'~
sfliuf,ona regulation applies only 10 elections fIr
State officers and that the legislature clearly has
the power 10 establish snch regulation, for mum 'ipi
itcS and school districts rs !, may 80" H. II IN"
rneSt o1s reach HE cOur which T. klv good lawyers
| maintain that the consiutionaity Of the act will b"
upheld beyond doubt.
The Nr,t municipal elections under this act are 10
be held fall. when nearly all the clilcs OF tie
State will elect officers.