New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-23
I UOUIN's STEFR1GF DICTORT.

The advocates - woman's suffrage have gained
their hr,. signal victory In this state II is one
In which they and the more broad minded OF
tlrlr opponents may both rejoice. one does not
need - De a believer IN IN" wisdom Of giving the
ballot To women in order TO sympathizc with the
desire ~ those who hold that doctrine for
chance 10 have the question brought for decision
before The people ~ New York The position OF
women In the state is one 81 the most important
problems which modern republican government
has -o solve II Is not a subject that can be ig-
nor,d either 10y men or women. II Is one io be
discussed frankly and fairly. with the concession
that there IS much 10 Doe said on both Sides. both
from me- points ~ view Of principle and cNpedi
cncy Therefore II is a welcome prospect that
tho question IS 10 be put In final form and come
w for decision purely on its own merits.
For many years the propaganda Of womans
suffrage has been carried on in New York II
WAS in This state In 1872 that Miss Susan Il.
Anthony cast the vote which resulted in her
famous trial IN the United States Circuit Court
N Canandagua. The agitation was carried on
with intermittent zeal. until last year the ap-
nroach!ns assembly of the Constitutional Con.
y.ut.on aroused the believers in IN" movement
TO renewed activity The sharp contest that fol.
one opinion rs to the justice and wisdom Of re-
movu. the sex barrier in politics than We're the
mon The suffrage cause was defeated In the
constitutional Convention but the defeat was
one. for which the most thoughtful and conscen-
tious ~ the defeated must now be glad. The or
couzation for last summers work in Albany and
the discussions aroused made the present victory
pos,ihc. Had the question been put 10 the vote
II ia. at.t.
integral part Of the new Constitution. the par
ticular issue would have been complicated with
many others II might have been carried or de
fcatcd. bnt neither partlsans would have been
satisfied that the result embodied the deliberate
Judgment Of the people Of New York Now the
citizens may hav" an opportunity 10 give undi-
vidoJ attention to the arguments Of both sides
and reach a conclusion which, If favorable 10 the
suffragisS. will he final; which. IL against them,
will set the discussion at rest for some years To
come.
The victory It is true. is only preliminary
one which must be- followed by another OF sim
liar character before popular vote can be
reached But II is Il distinct advance on any
thing obtained by the suiiragists In this State.
Many times one or the other of the houses Of the
LEGISLATURE has dacd with the subject but
nothing serious has been accomplished until now.
\cvcr before have both houses taken definite
favorable action. The first actual step toward
, constitutional amendment has been made The
second must come next year, when both houses
Of q new Legislature will have TO pass the same
resolution before it can be submitted to the peo-
nle The organization which has brought about
the concurrence Of the two houses this time is
doubtless prepared for the second effort. 1t
would perhaps be wst11or their opponents not to
ontoconzc them in It, The antlsuffragists
should. however, prepare 10 present their case
strongly I'm the public discussion which would
follow the adoption Of the second resolution.
perhaps the time has arrived for n battle royal
on vomans suffrage. If So II is best that pre-
liminary skirmsh drive one party from the held
~ would defeat Of the amendment in the next
I LEGISLATURE If the two Legislatures In success
sion can be got 10 take favorable action, then
the simple primary question may be brought
before the people for judgment. Preliminary to
thai submission 1t would he well to have Il vote
of the women Of the State. 1t Is often SAID that
uonen will have the ballot when they really
want # However that may be, they certainly
should not have its burdens thrust upon them I'M
willingly Legislative action for vote on the
amendment bv all women who would be entitled
10 the ballot II 1t were Incorporated In the Con
stjtltion would clear up all doubts on this point
and give a basis for more intelligent Judgment
nv the ,nals citizens, whose votes, and whose