The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-04-19
The sIost Important Subject Before the
Constitutional Convention.


As tho time for the assembling OF the
Constitutional Convention approaches. the
agitation for woman suffrage In this State
grows more earnest and moro active. among
both the old and radical feminine ad-
vocates Of the innovation and. more sug-
gestively and effectively. In circles Of society
which long rejected 1t with strong aversion
or regarded 1t with apparently unconquer-
able indifference.
Meetings for the furtherance OF the re-
form ars held almost daily In the drawing
rooms OF ladies known hitherto more es-
peclally In the sphere OF fashion. and their
sisters engaged IN the various gainful
eiaployments are showing like interest In
the agitation. The petitions In favor of
striking the word male" out Of the con-
stitutlonal definition OF the qualid-
cations OF voters. arc industriously
circulated throughout the State by
earnest feminine canvassers. and they
are receiving large numbers Of the
signatures OF both men and women. This
movement In behalf OF woman suffrage
IL accordingly one OF the most remarkable
ever undertaken. It occurs In an old and
conservative community. and Is proceeding
always been the most conservative. that Is.
among the women themselves. It Is receIv-
Ing the open assistance ofmen OF prominence
In politics. both Democrats and Republi-
cans; and ministers OF religion formerly
hostile to the proposition arc now giving
IL earnest support.
Hitherto. and for many years past. rep
ressntatives OF the radical and professional
woman suffragists have gone to Albany
during every session OF the Legislature. and
In mass meetings have argued their cause
before politely applAuding Senators and
AssemblymeD. But their arguments have
never been taken seriously as presenting a
question OF practical politics justifylng act
uAl legislation. The whole business has
been treated rather as q farce both by the
Legislators and by the great mass OF the
public. The opposition TO the proposed in
novation has not been expressed with any
strength at Albany. for no one took 1t ear
nestly except its few feminine advocates
themselves. Woman suffrage was elassed
with dress reform and the kindred Whlms
Of eccentric characters.
Now the proposition comes up for the
nrst time as Q serious and practical ques-
SAOh VI PCAAeASos Al q BECat OOQJ OI
the most intelligent women OF the State are
earnestly interested. Some OF the ablest
and most distinguished Of the delegates to
Unconstitutional Convention have declared
themselves In Its favor. They arc men
whose opinion viii carry great weight lin
that body and among the people Of the
State. and they are sustained In their
favorable judgment by many lawyers.
elsFgymsn. and men who have the highest
reputation for political sagaeity and moral
and intellectual sObriety. The situation
with respect 10 woman suffrage. accord
lnEly. has changed completely; and the I'M
mlstakabls indications are that 1t viii
eventually be conferred In this greatest and
most conservative of the States OF the
Union. With the prospect even that 1t win
Be- provided for In the amendments sub
mltted by the Constitutional Convention so
coon 70 assemble.
The question trSnsosnds In importsnce
a1y I'd all other propositions Of change In