The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-06-21
. CONVENTION At WORK.
TuE wuNAN's RtGHTs Petition
- TABLED.
one to Eight -- speeches
rru aud con.
June 2lst


be excused on account Of i'll health was
read and leave OF absence was granted.
Vice President Wilder read the re-
port OF the Committee appointed
to confer With the committee ON the
subject of woman suffrage. As stated
in yesterdays STAR this report recon-
NERDS that the convention empower the
Legislature to enact such laws as will
extend the rights of suffrage to women.
The report was signed by all members
except Mr.. Brown, who brought in u
minority report. MIR. Brown thought
womans place was at home and not in
politics. He therefore recommended
that the petition be tabled
Mr.. Kalua moved the adoption OF the
minority report. He made long
| speech in support Of his motion.
I've are trying to establish a Republic,
we want good one; we want peace and
harmony. If we keep on adding this
and that bad, ignorant element we can
never accomplish our ends. The ladies
| here present are of the best families in
the country. They are well educated
and are among the best informed on
! political matters. But the absurdity Of
the statements in their memorial shows
that they have not exercised this fund
OF information.
! Mr.. Wilder believed the question was
a coming one. 1t was being agitated in
every State and praises were loud in its
behalf. We have all factions and de-
grees OF ignorance in this Country. We
are trying to make a constitution to suit
all classes. | hope the majority report
to empower the Legislature to act in the
matter will be adopted.
Minister Damon rose to second Mr..
| Wilder's motion.
Minister Smith would have the re-
commentator reread. Granted. He
thought it not well to pass it. Ii in
future it should he well for the Legisla-
ture to enact such laws there should he
some limitation. He would consent to
it ii the qualifications for the Senators
were made. He agreed with the gentle
man from Waikiki. We are all work
ing for wide, good and stable govern
ment.
1t would be disaster, unquestionably
a disaster, to pass such an amendmen.
without limitations.
| believe it is the honest opinion of
those who have given their opinion,
that it is not expedient to grant the
suffrage to women at present. | hope
if the report passes at all, it will pass
with limitations as suggested 10y my
amendment.
Minister Wilder said the Committee
would accept the amendment proposed
by Minister Smith.
Mr.. Baldwin said there were great
problems before the Country. Are you
going to put into the constitution a
measure which will double up on our
ignorant vote? There could be nothing
put into the constitution which would
more absolutely shut out the population
we are trying to get in. He saw by the
paper that Mr.. Wilder had said to the
ladies OF the committee yesterday that
they had his sympathy, but not his
judgment. From the report he thought
the ladies had got the Nice-Presi-
| dents judgment as well before
| they got through with him
= He opposed woman suffrage now and ht
, doubted the expedieucy OF granting the
Legislature OF some future time to gram
( this right. If in the future it become,
! necessary to have woman suffrage LEI
S the Legislature of that time proceed il
e the right way and amend the con
1 stitution.
K Mr.. Josepa supported the motion t.
i adopt the minority report. Thes
: wahines want to vote because they hav
property. Why, then, should 10
$ children who have property vote? Tn
: country is still in revolutionary state
n Mr.. Kauhane favored the majority re
a port.
u Mr.. Brown thought the recommends
u ton would make too radical change il
u this country, and it would not be sal
II to put such power in the hands OF
special Legislature. Ii it become neces
Z it can be done through the Legislature
" To pass such a law would place to
10 much in the hands OF future Legisla
z lures. He objected to Mr.. Smith motor
. 4
the Hawaiian women. He hoped thi
amendment would not pass.
Mr. Kahaulelo moved to take yot
, and that the ayes and nays be calleC
He was opposed to granting woma
suffrage at the present time.
Mr.. Carter objected to Ministc
Smiths amendment because propcrt
+ qualification was wrong in principle
Is was obnoxious ana was unjust to I'll
women themselves. The educationi
an qualification is fast becoming the test
the world. The question is embarras
IL ing because it has arisen since the col
vention. He believed in universal su
at rage, but he did not know how his COZ
H. stituents would feel upon the subjec
We have no right to further enbarra
in the condition OF things by passing su,
at a measure as recommended by the con
mittee.
nd On motion to table the petition OF Il
in committee for woman suffrage, vote "
taken and the motion carried.
Mr.. Viyas had been urged to ask
the Government was entering into al
nc treaty with Japan to extend the suiira
NJ 10 japanese, He was ruled out oi ord,
ie' The Convention then adjourned to