The record-union., 1894-01-25
NEW YORK WOMEN.
Most of Them Care Very Little for
Suffrage.
Still the Woman Suffragists Propose 10
Make a Very Lively
Canvass.

Regular Correspondence RECoRD-UNIoN.l
New YORK. Jan. l4.-Woman suffrage
will be one of the questions reopened Tor
general discussion by the people OF this
State during the year. The Constitu-
tional Convention called for May
arouses hopes in all who would alter
fundamental features of the State Govern
ment. Reformers of all sorts are going
to propose amendments, but among the
first to begin preparations for producing
changes are woman suffragists. In the
twenty-ffth annual convention OF the
New York State Woman Suffrage Asso-
citation, held at Brooklyn November 18th
to 18th, the approaching Constitutional
Convention furnished the inspiration OF
all expressions of thought and feeling.
Here was chance, one that comes only
once in twenty years, and supreme
effort must be made to have dropped
for Article IL, Section l, of the Constitu-
ton the odious word male.
Men lifted their hats to the women's S
challenge and replied courteously: "You
shall have the ballot, if you want it"
Then the males went about their business
chuckling to one another: But they
don't want it; not the great majority OF
women. They are as Indifferent about it
as many men are"
This is the attitude of New Workers
who vote already. Some people believe
that those who have spoken thus are not
sincere, that they are relying too much
on the well-knOwn indifference of most
New York women to the privilege few
@Eo% - -. IA
that women in multitudes wish for the
ballot. the men on record will retract
their consent. But women who have
sounded many politicians and represent
ative citizens, declare the stand taken by
these men to be perfectly sincere, and
they make this the ground of one of their
strongest appeals for female support.
Anyway, the agitation of the subject
will be left to women, and they, accept
ing the task, are preparing to get the sig
natures of 100000 women to be pre-
sented to the convention in May. The
plans now making seem adequate to
cover the State and to put the inquiry to
every woman in 1t. SO the result Will
haveg great significance, both to those who
oppose and TO those who favor women's
voting and whether the effort succeeds or
fails. For, like the State itself, the
women of New York are typical and a
good average in all ways, being neither
SO exclusively cultured" as the women
farther East nor so self-dependent as
those farther West.
The leaders begin certainly with very
serious obstacle before them. Women
here in general do not care anything
about the subject. Well cared for. well
treated, much amused or very busy, and
above all, solidly conservative, the agi-
tation must begin almost at the begin
ming. Up to the present the chief pro-
gress made by woman suffrage" as it is
called, is IN the woman sutfragistS them
selves. They have been compelled to
look the difficulties in the face, to see the
many draw backs both to themselves and
TO society, the danger of success and their
utteranceS and manner have toned down
to earnestness, conservative regard for
the limitations of gradual growth of all
things. They have, in consequence, got
the respect of their fellow-men and it is
in most cases well deserved. The women
who present the argument of woman are
fine personalities, strong characters. able,
trustworthy thinkers and deliberate,
careful speakers and writer's.
On the other hand, the discussion of the
last few years had not advanced the con-
troVersy one title. Nonew argument has
been brought forward, and it is doubtful
if anything new will be offered either to
women or men this year to induce intlu-
ence or vote. Indeed, one of the many
obstacles in the way of success at the
polls will be the inability of women to
guarantee any good to those who now
have the right to vote. To the party ma
chimes there is no temptation in their
principle Of nom n-DartiSanShip. To the
Independent no sound assurance of the
"moral elevation" promised.
Yet the Democratic machine has sew
eral times, unotficially, but through
prominent leaders, like Hill, Flower,
Gilroy and Croker, given women to uu-
derstand that if they can develop voting
strength they will have Democratic aid.
And there are shrewd women who know
the practical value of the bosses consent
women applied to the politicians
and won with their help. In New
York they are not totally incapable
of seeing Hill and Croker. But
a "deaP' they will not make. The
women who lead here, L am quite sure
from what l know Of them personally,
will not make any such moral error at
the outset of their political life, whatever
they may come to later. If they go to
the politicians, they will offer only the
advantage of gratitude, which will count
when other things are equal.
AS for chances OF success, they are few
at present. The convention will be Re-
publican, and that party Is said to be less
inclined than the Democratic party to
listen to the plea. Still a partial canvass
of the delegates has been made by Lille
Devereux Blake and Jean Brooks Green
leaf, and they say the result assures the
amendment if the petition is what it is
expected to be. At any rate the contest
is to be concentrated on the general vote
in the fall. Essex, Cbautauqua and nearly
all the western counties are supposed to
be strong for the suffrage of women, and
several towns are known to be favorable.
Rochester, in particular, is counted in.
In New York city the strength is in the
large but unknown mum Der of working
men, who are Influenced by working
women, and by the labor leaders. The
house-to-hOuse canvass with the petition
will have to be waited for TO get an idea
of voting strength, for men as well as
women are to be asked TO sign.
Behind the movement is also the force
of the general discomfort and natural
procliviiy to change which has followed
the panic and the November elections.
And there is one more sociological force
which may cut some figure. That is the
rapid decline of home and family life in
this great, crowded city. Flat life in the
multiplying apartment houses, the in
creasing dependence of all sorts of people
on one kitchen and dining-room fol
many laInilles, Is reducing the uoHleStlC
occupations OF women. They are cut of
from the old and more characteristic en-
ployment, housekeeping, by this social.
istic system, and also by the great servant
problem. The difficulty of getting and
keeping good help is SO great thai
many people surrender and go to The
hotel or apartment-house, where another
is responsible for the service.
These things more than anything else
nj, RI ffrc
tation. Women who never have cared
for anything but home will have had 9
year or two of time to think" and tC
turn to other modes of using lelsnre