The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-06-01
DON'T DoDGE WOMAN SUFFRAGE.


has been before them since the passage
of the prohibitory amendment in 1880. 1t
is the question of whether or not the
right of suffrage shall be extended to a
large and intelligent body of citizens to
whom il is now almost wholly denied
1t is possible that the adoption of the
equal suffrage amendment will be of far
reaching consequence, not only to the
politics of the state, but to the laws and
constitution itself That the amendment
will be adopted there is little doubt
majority of the people of most political
faiths favor it. The opposition comes
mostly from that class of voters who
have for years Rugged to their breasts
the delusion that some time the prohibi-
tory law would be repealed. They look
upon the Acknowledgement of woman as
the death blow to this hope Whether or
not this fear is we'll founded can not be
fully determined until the experiment is
made. The friends of the amendment,
however, believe that they can trust the
women of Kansas to vote for the states
best interests in any event Many oppo-
nents of the measure acknowledge its
justice, but are like prominent Demo
crat who was heard to remark a few
argument against it, but am opposed to
il all the same"
What will be the attitude of the politi-
cal parties on this question when they
assemble in state convention and formu-
late a platform of principles which
they will go before the people and ask
their suffrage? The Democratic party,
in view of its past record, which has
ever been one of opposition to every
thing like progress, can be safely de-
pended upon to oppose equal suffrage in
its platform. The Populists are in a
better position to ignore the question
than any other party because they were
the means of bringing it before the peo-
pie and have that much already to their
credit. But dare they do it?
A large majority of the party unques-
tionably favors an endorsement of the
amendment in the platform. The fusion
element which forms a small but vigor-
Gus minority, will oppose it because they
are always ready to sacrifice principle
or anything or anybody to catch the
Democratic vote.
The party's position, therefore, will de-
pend largely upon which element is in
control of the convention. The un-
doubted fact, that the women of Kansas
will hold in grateful remembrance the
party that espouses their cause, if it
should stand alone in such action, may,
however, overcome the opposition of the
fust0nists
What will the Republican party do re-
garding this question? When the women
of the equal suffrage association go be-
fore the Republican convention and in
the name of the women of the entire
state, ask for an endorsement of the
which means SO much to
them, what reply will be made them?
What will the grand old Republican
party, the party of progress, the party of
justice and equality, the party of
freedom, say to the women of
the equal suffrage association
and to their sisters of the w. G. T. u, |
who have stood Loyalty by the party on
account Of it's attitude on that other great
reform the prohibition of the liquor traf-
tic, and to the women of the churches |
who have been true to it for the same
reason?
Will they say 1--WE are engaged
in redeeming Kansas, and this amend
ment is not an issue, and besides we
don't know what the other fellows are
going to do,' aud thus become the only |
party in the state that does not take a |
stand for or against a measure of such |
vital importance to the whole people.
The amendment should be endorsed
not only because it is right and just but
because it is good policy. The few votes
which might be lost this year on account
If such action, would be small matter |
when compared with the number that
would be lost two years from now. For
IS surely as the Republican convention
ails to endorse the amendment so surely
will the Populist conventio profit |
~ the mistake. It is scarcely possible
hat the handful of voters composing the
Democratic party will be allowed to die
ate policy to both the great political
parties of the state at the same tim e. A
,arty can make no greater confession of
weakness than to dodge an issue. It's
ollowing is prone to lose faith in it. The
Republican party of Kansas has never
,een a dodger. Let US not begin this
rear. The masses of the party are
rnown TO favor the amendment Let US
ay so openly and gain by such action.
EDITOR BRIsTow of the SaIina Repub-
lean, thinks it wouldn't be treating the