Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1895-02-21
Speech of Hon. Frances M. Thayer of Honolulu
Madam Speaker:

Speech of Hon. Frances NJ. Thayer OF Honolulu.
Madam Speaker:
The Importance of the matter now before the
house fear is not appreciated by great ma
iority.
This is a question OF such far reaching and
vital interest that it permeates every state city,
village and hamlet; yes, into every home in the
entire western hemisphere, and thus demands
our most careful and conscientious considera-
ton.
Madam Speaker: Ever since the admission
of Honolulu as a state in the Union, ever since
our grand old flag was hOnOred by the addition
OF the fifty-lrst star in commemOratiOn of this
great event, her representatives have stood up
on this floor, in this most beautiful city of Audu
bon, the capital of the greatest and most power
full nation on earth, and fought for higher civili-
zation and the betterment of womanknd.
Thus for ninety-seven years has Honolulu re-
corded its vote and influence for all just meas
ures for the advancement OF its people, and ut
this day Honolulu Is recognized by the entire
civilized world, as the center OF culture, learn
| ing, art and refinement.
Madam Speaker: / would dishonor the noble
women, my constituents, by whose votes l am
here today, and by whose votes I hope to con-
| tnue 10 draw my salary. did not denOunce in
vigorous language this BIZ now before us for the
! free and unlimited COnGgc OF votes by granting
universal suffrage to men, this unhOly bill intro
duced i'm this house by Russell from mClviliZed
Texas, and backed by II lot OF long haired-part-
Observation-Disclosures men who neglect
their children and household duties and travel
around the country bowling for universal suf-
| frage.
Madam Speaker: There is an old saying,
trite but true. that "history repeats itself" and
1t is we'll at this time to look to history for we
can only Judge the future by the past.
Let us 90 back to the latter part OF the nine
tesnth century, only one hundred years ago,
and see what condition the country was I'm then.
Of course the men were not enlightened and in.
intelligent as now, rs history tells us that many
who exercised the right Of suffrage were unable
to read or write, and we find that In this dark
age, this glorious country Of ours was ruled by
men, Just think OF it, ruled by men, that men
made all the laws and held all the Offices, and
that woman, the greatest work OF the Creator,
was HIS slave (see vol. Ga page 1880 OF Ancient
| History by Susan B. Anthony, for this state
ment unsupported would seem incredible to
many present not up in history, but Russell, OF
Texas, and some other way-backs who are push.
ing this bill can probably well remember 1t. Let
u. look little further and see how the affairs OF
government were conducted when men had
control We find that the country was In con-
slant turmoil, that the representatives OF the
people voted where there was the most money
that the country was a network OF trusts and
combines, that gigantic monopolies controlled
the legislation, and that the people were taxed
to their utmost ability to pay, that no one but a
rich man was eligible to congress, and that the
government became so corrupt that 1t seemed
as II the republic was doomed.
Then came the great revolution Man wa.
overthrown and woman assumed her rightfu
station at the head OF affairs. Trusts, com
bines and monopolles were wiped from the fact
of the earth, and man relegated to his proper
sphere in the care Of babies, washing dishes anC
general household work, and this government
was made in truth and In fact, a government o
the people, for the people and by the people.
Madam Speaker: Do we, the most enllghten
ed nation on earth, propose by our support o
this bill to turn backward toward barbarisn
and man control? Shades Of Queen Iii, No!
The argument will be made that some mel
pay taxes and that taxation without representa-
ton is unconstitutional, but such an argumen
is suitable only to Observation-Disclosures
men and short-haired women, for do not mel
have the same protection from the laws enacte,
by us as do women?
Now, am willing to compromise this matte
and allow al men over the age Of thirty-hye
Who swn properly. sad who can repeat to tn