The record-union., 1895-02-07
vas the special order, was taken up and


amount of time wasted in debate would
De likely to make any change. He did
not think 1t would be polite to use UP
much time in debate. BE moved the pre-
viOus question.
Bulla made the point of order that a
member could not make speech and then
move the previous question.
The Speaker ruled the point of order
we'll taken and Laugenour then moved
The previous question, but the motion
was lost.
Spencer said he was astonished to hear
the gentleman state that every members
mind was made up. 1t argued that they
were not willing to listen to argument
and reason. He spoke Of the cruel and
brutal wrong done to woman in not al
towing her equal rights in this matter.
he believed most of the members had
made up their minds on the question but
there were some who We're still doubtful
upon the constitutional aspect of the
question. He should address his re-
marks, therefore, to the constitutionality
OF the bill. Many of those who do not
favor this measure are trying to dodge
behind the question of constitutionality.
The Constitution, he argued, mentions
the people," and ''the people" means
the men and women OF the State, and he
would try to show them that the Consti-
tuition grants the latter the same privi-
legeS as the former. He quoted and ar
gued at length in favor of his proposition
and said that while part of Section | of
Article Ii. seemed to contradict another,
it did not really do so, Why was the
word male" there? He was ashamed to
say 1t was on account of the seltishness Of
the men who framed it. But they did not
anywhere say in the Constitution the
female should not vote, and left it for the
Legislature to grant her the right. He
asked the gentlemen who hold that the
~, y
to read the other portion OF the section.
70 wipe out the meaning OF the law takes
something stronger than an implication.
w omen are not mentioned among those
who are prohibited from voting, there
fore she is not prohibited by the Consti-
tuition from voting, and at least may be
permitted to vote and he asked for them
that privilege.
He quoted from the enumeration of
rights, and claimed that this was one of
the rights retained by the people. He
commenced with the early history of
California. before this question was agi-
tated, ana quoted from several decisions
as to the power of the Legislature, and
argued that there was nothing to prevent
it from extending this right to woman,
for he claimed it as right. The decisions
were to the effect that the Legislature had
power In all cases not expressly pro-
hlblted by the court, ana he argued that
the insertion OF the word male" did not
act prohibition against the female.
He alluded to the reception accorded the
petitions for woman suffrage in the Leg
lslature four years ago, and said it was no
wonder the members desks were not
flooded with petitions this session. 1t had
been said that the right OF suffrage would
drag women down into the mire of poll
TICS, but the reverse would be the case
they would sweep out and cleanse the po-
litical caldron, and honesty and justice
would reign supreme. If there was a
time when man needed the assistance of
his mother, his wife and his sister, it was
when he approached the arena of poll
tics, and it was time we made a change
and allowed them to assist us in this great
work. He appealed TO the young men OF
the house. He wanted them 10 climb
upon the hoUsetops and watch the tidal
wave OF political purity which is sweep
ing over the country, and which will be
swelled by the votes OF the women. He
urged them TO let their names be seen on
the right side Of the roll-calI. SO that they
could point with pride to it when this
great movement had met with success, as
1t surely will i'll the near future. He
would be glad If the good women in the
house could advocate their own cause on
this floor and not have to ask man to
do it.
He was IN favor of a constitutional
but he did not want it submitted to the
people until the women can vote-While
the ignorant foreigners who have a right
TO vote could deny that right to the
women Of the Stale. He begged the mem-
bars not to subject the women to such uu-
lair treatment-tO be honorable enough to
accord them fairness and justice and ap-
pealed to them on behalf of this army of
purity that was battling for its rights.
tie thoughpit was the duty of the mem-
bers to vote down the amendment, which,
il it prevailed, would kill the bill and
make 1t necessary TO commence the bat
tie over again.
Bledsoe believed it could not be denied
that there were doubts, and reasonable
doubts, too, OF the cOnstitutiOnaiity of the
bill, but he had come to the conclusion
that IL would be proper to let the judicial
department pass upon the question of
constltutionality. He had doubts as to
the wisdom OF giving the women the
ballot, bat should give them the benefit
OF the doubt, as all progress is made
through experiment. Although he was
afraid that ii the bill passed, at the very
urSt city election, when the first woman
attempts to register, the matter Will be
taken before the Supreme Court and the
law declared unconstitutional. He should
vote against the amendment.
Hatneld said he had not intended to
speak, bat as the discussion had been
precipitated it might as we'll be settled
now as any time. The Republican mem
bers were elected OH a platform which
declared in favor OF this measure. lie
should vote for the bill.
Buila also spoke in favor OF the bill and
Endorsed the remarks of Hatfield on the
platform. Ii Republicans do not vote in
accordance with the platform, the party,
he said, would finu itself in the minority
in the next Legislature, and they will
fn
pledges. They could not have been
elected II they had expressed autagonism
TO the platform.
Cutter, in an eloquent speech, said the
gentleman from Los Angeles had said that
none OF the Republicans could have been
elected il they had announced themselves
in opposition TO this plank of the plat
form. IL would not have been so in Sut-
ter and 4ubA Counties, which he had the
honor 10 represent. LOud applause
from the house. The platform proposed
by Grove l.. Johnson was not voted on
plank by plank, but was adopted as
whole II it had been voted on plank by
plank, this plank would not nave been
adopted. It is contrary 10 the lifelong
doctrine OF the Republican party that the
majority should rule. Not one woman
in ten asks for suffrage.
Bulia asked, IL that were so, how it was
that %, 900 women in the State asked for
it?
Cutter sWered that Bulla knew that
a vast maj Ority OF the women Of the
State were not IN favor of it. In his sec
ton OF the country the women not only
did not want the privilege for them
selves, but did not want it extended to
other women. If suffrage is conferred it
will be found out that the minority will
go to vote and the majority will stay at
home. If any publication is expected TO
result from giving to women the ballot,
it will be a disappointment, as it will be