The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-06-20
WOMEN IN PUBLIC LIFE.
Suffrage and Ofice-HoIding a Matter
of Fitness, Not of Sex.


The test is in the individual. and not in
the sex of the candidate. If the Mayor OF
Brooklyn has chosen any unworthy or in
efficient or cranky woman he has done an
unwisely he has been gallant and weak
at other peoples expense. Ia he has made
good selections he has not done gallant
thing" He has done his simple duty to the
public, and has given the people the benefit
of selections whose wisdom may be assumed
because he has chosen from constituency
made all the larger and richer through the
inclusion of women. Women; as we under
stand il, ask for recognition because they
are competent, and not because they ought
to be preferred on the ground of their sex.
While this point may not seem to be inn
mense. it is really at the foundation OF half
one ayor
the ground that 1t is simple justice TO men
and TO the familys interest. Justice 10
woman has its place in the argument, but
that consideration is only one in the issue
The movement to which we allude will win
when all its advocates ground it .on its
proper claims. II we had the contract TO
reform the Republic TO its foundations we
would concede the franchise to all citizens
in theory and then practically restrict IL
alike among all classes and genders We
would eliminate the neuter. or nobody,
gender wholly, and then establish a voters
test which would deprive the ignorant. the
vicious, the unthrifty. the Indifferent and
minors of all conditions and sexes. A
foreigner should not be a candidate for the
franchise until after he had been here ten
that point gladly. No one should become
"of age" and therefore voter. by simple
lapse of time. He and she should be "ex-
amineu for promotion to responsible citi-
zenshp, as is done in the army and navy,
whatever be an officers age or service in
his present grade and rank. This precau-
ticn would fully paralyze the familiar OBJ
lection that woman suffrage will simply
double the number of unworthy voters
One or the very first steps toward certain
reforms in the franchise is woman's suf-
frage. II will come presently. and by
cheerful consent of the most conservative
masculine voter. Few men are more
absurd than he who objects 10 woman's suf-
frage on the ground of the ompetency
OF the sex. govcrnme hich can
even approximately assimiatt I armies
OF immigrants, and manage franchise
given 10 some millions of a, entity en-
abled freedmen, can do almost anything.
lie never did wiser deed than when IL
gave the ballot 10 the colored man. He Is
a reserve force upon which the Nation may
presently rely with great thanksgiving. The
South will Tomorrow see the truth. When
that matter OF the salvation ~ the Repub-
lie is pressed upon mems minds. IL may
be within a brief time, intelligent people
will wonder why womans franchise has
been delayed long. The freedmen's vote
came as a war necessity, and he might re-
proach us with that fact. Some dire pub
concerning the shilding votes of our sisters.
wives. mothers and daughters. That ballot
ought to be a free gift. At any rate.
when IL comes let US not degrade il by
calling Ii gallant"
When IL comes TO the future matter OF
restricting the franchise it Will. be seen
that government has no right 10 take away
the franchise from any present voter. That
crime, according to law. That loss OF his
vote ought now 10 be forfeited as part OF
the penalty OF his abuse of the franchise.
We may yet have law permitting al