The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1895-02-06
PROGRESS OF WOMAN SUFFRAGE.
The Cause Has Advanced Twenty Years Al
The Past Twelve Months.

The past year has been one momen-
tous in results to the advocates Of equal
suffrage. A brief recapitulation is suffi-
Gent to show that the cause has ad.
vanced 20 years in the past IL months
through practical illustration OF the
workings of political equality. In less
progressive localities the question he's
been discussed and public interest arous
ed,whioh is the first step toward actua
results.
In November, 1898, the women OF
New Zealand were enfranchised, voting
at all the elections for all candidates
They secured the return OF better men
in several districts than had ever been
elected before and ordained the retire.
meut Of others who, they claimed olo
not represent the best social ana poils'
ical elements and were preJudicial 10
tho host interests of the colony Having
been qualified to vote, they disbanded
their franchise league and organized
the Political Educational league and
have devoted their time to careful
s.ndy of colonial politics. One amusing
feature of the year in New Zealand has
been stormy debate in parliament as
to their eligibility to membership III
that important body. The women them
selves had expressed no desire for such
advancement, but tho honorable mem
bers, anticipating this finally, were
looking the inevitable in the face.
The example OF New Zealand proving
so salutary. the enfranohisement OF
women was also discussed in both the
parliament Of Victoria and New South
Wales, In both of which colonies it will
probably be adopted during the present
year In the Hawaiian republic the rep
resentatiye women of Honolulu, headed
by Mrs. Whitney, the wife Of the editor
of The Pacific Advertiser; Mrs. w. 0.
Hall and Mrs. W. e. Wilder, wife Of
the vice president, and ably counseled
by the Hon. J4orin G. Thurston, made
an appeal for the franchise under the
constitution The forces Of conservatism
were too strong to be overcome at once,
but they secured provision for the ex-
tension of the franchise in the future by
popular vote instead of by an amend
ment Of the constitution.
In the United States year Of unprec
edented activity among women was in
PRODUCED by the citizens Of New York,
headed by Mrs. Stanton and Miss An
thony, to have the word male" stricken
from the constitution. While the main
purpose was defeated, the contest was Of
incalculable benefit in enlightening the
public mind and solidifying the suffrage
forces More than 500, 900 names Of rep
rescntative men and women were ap-
pended to the petition submitted to the
constitutional convention. Women Of
social influence and Of the highest Gull
ture and position opened their houses for
suffrage meetings, in which they per-
sonally participated. Permanent organl-
cations, of which these women are still
the leaders, are continuing the work OF
agitation and education, which they
will not relinquish until they have en-
tirely accomplished what they have
pledged themselves to do
In Wyoming and North Dakota WON
en- superintendent Of public instruction
were elected. The campaign In Colo
RADIO was revolution againt the old es.
tablished political methods. The WON
en- carried on the most brilliant meet.
ings everywhere, organized clubs, and
by precept and example induced the men
to do their part. They cast 60 per cent
of the entire vote OF the state. They
elected as their own representatives Mrs
A J. Peavey, state superintendent o.
public instruction, and Mesdames Klocl
and Cressingham members Of the gen
eral assembly.
In Illinois each party nominated .
woman candidate for university trustee
an Office for which women were entitled
to vote. The women were thorough.
organized, having the cooperation O
their respective state central commit
tees, and were furnished with headquar
ters and others facilities for carrying Of
their work. Meetings were held tina
were largely attended, the most notabl
of which was that in Central Music hal
on the evening Of Oct 10. Nearly 30,
900 women registered and voted in spit
of discouraging and confusing lega
complications. As in New York, tn
greatest interest was shown among th
educated classes, women Of position an
culture taking q profound interest In tn
campaign, working and voting for thei
chosen candidate The Republican can
didate was elected by something lik
Isl, 600 majority. and the event wa
celebrated by one Of the most brillian
banquets ever given in Chicago.
The vote upon the suffrage amend
ment In Kansas was in the negative
bat this, es In New York, is only TEN
porary defeat In Nebraska also Their
was much interest, clubs being forme
for political discussion and work whic
must result in future good. In view G
all these facts it can no longer be assert
ed that women do not want to vote, an
that they would not vote If they could
Wherever they have been permitted t
take part in practical politics-in Ne,
Zealand, New York, Colorado or Tllinoi
IA marked and unmistakable chang
FOR the better has been brought about
With the present rapid change in publ
opinion their enfrnnchisement through
out the whole civilized world is o mat
ter Of but few years. Chicago Int
Ocean.