The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1894-05-02
Their Right to the Franchise
RecO6uized.

MR.. EDIToR:-H she wants.to, she
should do so. When women demand
the franchise they will get it. Women
hold the balance of power now, and,
should they require the privilege of a
direct vote, even that will not be re-
fused. 1t is a recognized fact that
women have more to do in moulding
public opinion than any other factor,
not excepting the press. Should she
now demand the franchise as of right
she would be sure to obtain it. She
merely has to say to her father, hus-
band or son, "The time has come
when we think the world will be
benefited by our going to the polls"
and there is no doubt that father,
husband or son will admit her right.
1t is fact that, should she have the
franchise, that the vote for what is
best for humanity would be doubled,
and that which trends towards what
Is debasing or meretriciOus would be
weakened by woman's vote. L believe
today we would urge women to take
part in direct politics but for pseudo
delicacy we have in not wishing to
polls, or even brought in contact with
that cruder element of society which
some men even hesitate to brush |
against. 1t may be necessary that |
women make more of study of |
some of the leading questions of the !
day for the purpose of educating |
fathers, husbands or sons; but think |
[ express the opinion of the majority |
of men, that it would be better for her |
q tn Stor. in no
and engage in the conflict of politics. |
Women are pre-eminently fitted to
govern their homes and to educate the |
young; and it would appear as if these
fields were ample to engage their
whole talents.
On boards which have to do with
education, hygiene or sanitation,
women seem to be adapted in re-
markable degree, and it might be well
that they should take part in politics
to that extent. AS no one should
ever be elected or appointed to an
office who is not an elector, woman
should have the suffrage to whatever
extent is necessary to allow her to be
appointed or elected to any office for
which, as woman, she is fitted. In
some of the STATES women are al
lowed to vote on educational
matters, with what benefit T
beaten for the Office of school trustee
in California, the Democrats having
put a lady's name on their ticket for
that ward. Of course, he could merely
abstain from taking part in the cam
paign, and the lady was elected by a
blight majority in Republican ward.
She proved herself a very Industrious
and attentive school trustee, but I
must say not very popular with the
l. 1 4
of woman suffrage, as if the
thought was merely a passing one, 5
suggested by some sufferer from mans i,
humanity to man. But it may
ome day materialize, congested per-
laps by the inadequacy of man to
.ope with the political situation.
When the mother sees her sons being
destroyed by the devouring flames of
or immortality, and
tamina in the men who make the !
avs for controlling these influences, i
he may demand the franchise in or
er that she may try her hand at law
aaking, and who will say her nay? 2
1t is thought by many that the wo- I
len who would take part in politics {
1ould not be women of refinement or u
ducation, who would have the re- C
pect OF their fellows. Perhaps this is | o
-ue. 1t is a fact that politicians D
mong men are those who have the :;
last respect of their fellows. 4
1t is insinuated that women could =
OF act in an unbiased manner in vot- =
lg, as they would be sure to be led II
Y their husbands. This is SANDER, Is
ld will only be repeated by hardened el
0liticians. II
Women will be welcomed to the
)lls by all the respectable element of
'ciety when they demand the fran
lise. JAS. w. GIRvIN. Il,