The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1894-04-24

The following article, written
for the ADVERTISER by Mr.. W. n.
Armstrong, will be found of great
interest to those who are interested
in woman suffrage:
Would it not be an act of wise states
manship, for the coming Constitution
al Convention to establish female suf-
frage with high property qualifica-
ton attached to it?
There is 4 special need of Intelligent
voters in these Islands, and if this
class can be increased by the addition
of women, under a property qualitica-
ton, it will materially strengthen the
basis of good government.
1t is idle to consider, at the present
time, the arguments pro and con, re-
garding female suffrage. Every in
telligent person knows, or ought to
know them by this time.
The movement for the emancipation
of women, regarding both her proper
ty and her political rights, though
slow is continuous. Every argument
urged against giving her property
rights has been utterly refuted by eX-
perience. Regarding political rights,
the experience of several of the Am
erican States, indicates clearly that
female suffrage improves political
affairs.
1t is well understood, in the older
States, that the cause of female suf-
frage has not advanced rapidly owing
to two causes. The first is the OPPOSE
ton of the machine politicians, who
find that they Rave quite enough to
do while keeping men in line in the
working of political machinery, and,
naturally, they hesitate to undertake
the additional job of keeping an I'M
known factor, the woman's vote on
the same lines.
The absurdity of the situation is
apparent and confessed. Educated
women, many of them graduates of
the best schools, are excluded from
the ballot, while the Irish "bog-trot
ter" and the ignorant and grossly
superstitious negro has the franchise.
The second cause is the apathy of
women themselves, on the subject.
The analysis of this apathy need not
be stated here at large. 1t is largely
due to the "superstitions" which
have stood in the pathway of woman's
progress is past times. We live main-
ly on the lines of our traditions and
habits and not on our reason. Little
as the average man knows practical
~ about the world in which he lives,
the average woman knows still less
because she has been deprived of OPP
portunity. The remarkable successes
Of American and English women, in
the great universities has settled tor
ever the question of wOman's brain
power, and the cynical men who said
she was the weaker vessel" are now
taking to the woods. Any close OBJ
server knows that in the cities OF the
United States, and here in Honolulu,
the general culture of women is con-
higher than that of the men,
among the so-callsd educated classes.
The reason of this is, the enforced con-
finement of men to business in the
sharp struggle for existence, and the
leisure afforded to women
by the accumulation OF wealth. This
culture has not yet. however, mate
in practical sense OF things;
II is rapidly doing so. 1t is working on
social reforms, and rather refrains from
tackling complex political problems.
The trial of female suffrage in the
State of Wyoming, is watched with
deep interest in America. This trial
has been in progress for twenty years,
and has proved TO be more than salts
factory. In 1882, Governor HOyt of
hat State, said, after twelve years of
experience with il, 1--WE have better
avs, better officers, better institu-
ions, better morals, and higher
social condition in general No one
If the practical evils, such as loss of
native delicacy and disturbance of !
nome relations has followed
Governor Hale of the same State !
yives the same opinion. The judges |
highly commend the conduct of |
women in the Jury box. One of the |
n that State is edited by two young |
women who set up the type them
elves, ami are consulted by men be-
.ause Of their shrewd insight into po-
itic8l matters.
Colorado by a majority vote of fifty |
has established female suf-
rage and so has Kansas In England
md in many Of the Eastern States,
women are allowed to vote on school
questions.
1t may be urged that the establish
nent of this suffrage is an innOva-
ion; that we have quite enough
,roblems on our hands without try
ng this one. 1t should be regarded
S an Innovation required by our
necessities. We should increase the
vote as largely as possible.
IN avowed selfish policy demands it.
)ur conditions demand it. But the
ranchise should be granted only to
who have u certain amount of
cal and personal property. Many
Intelligent women would, by this
he excluded from vot-
~. 1t would be their misfortune
rising out of the necessities of the
ase. Universal female suffrage here,
,ould work disaster.
We must always deal with the con-
itions here as we find them. If we
an increase the intelligent vote in
lvOr of good government by estab-
shing this suffrage, let us do it. II
~ cannot. then let us not establish it.