The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-04-01

asking If they wished statehood on
condition that equal suffrage be
changed TO male suffrage. The Wyo-
ming people replied that unless women
were admitted to equal suffrage they
preferred TO remain territory. In the
end The objections to the eaual suf-
frage feature were overcome, and
hence we have the section before US
as a part of the organic law of Wyo-
ming.
Equal Suffrage in Wyoming.
Under date of Marca %, 1885. Senator
c. D. Clark, of Wyoming, writes con-
corning equal suffrage in that state
as follows:
so far as the operation of the law
in this state is concerned, we were so
well satisfied with twenty years ex-
perience under the territorial govern
ment that it went into our constitution
with but one dissenting vote, although
many thought that such 2 section in
our constitution might result in its
rejection by Congress. If il does
nothing else it fulflls the theory OF
true representative government, and IN
this state. at least, has resulted in
none of the evils prophesied. 1t has
not lowered womanhoed. 1t has not
been the fruitful source of family dis
agreements feared. Women do gen.
orally take advantage of the right 20
vote, and vote intelligently. 1t has
been years since we have had trouble
at the polls. quiet and order, in my
opinion, being due, however, to two
causes. the presence Of women as we'll
as our very efficient election laws. One
important feature 1 might mention
and that is that in view OF the woman
vote no party dare nominate notori-
ously immoral men, Tor fear of defeat
by that vote. Regarding the adop-
ton OF the system in other states I
perhaps am not qualified TO judge, but
see no reason why its operation
should not be generally the same else
where as it is with US. 1t is surely
true that after many years experience
Wyoming would not be content to re-
turn to the old limits. as, in our opin-
ion, the absence of i'll results is con-
elusive proof Of the wisdom of the
because in theory at least
the plan is right
As to Colorado.
AS to Colorado, Senator's Teller and
Wolcott say:
Women bring to the exercise of the
right of equal suffrage an intelligence
fully equal to that of the male voter
One of the apparent results of the
presence of women as participators in
political matters is that political par
ties must exercise greater care than
before as to the character and stand
ing of nominees for office. The pres
ence of women at the polls is looked
upon as an undisguised blessing and
If the question as to whether the right
Of suffrage should be bestowed on
oh Ia in tod 10
the voters of Colorado, it would be
carried in the affirmative by a far
greater majority than it received a
year ago.
Principles and Prccedents in Utah.
The same expedient has been resort
ed to in Utah to prevent equal suf-
frage that was tried in Wyoming. We
are told that Statehood will be i'm
perilled by it," that "a widespread
fear prevails that with the franchise
the old overwhelming force
would destroy the present equality Of
parties and awaken a terrible tempta-
ton on the part of those who ruled be-
fore to resume their sway 10y working
upon the generous Impulses and re-
igious instincts IF women. which
and business. ostracism of the minor
ty." I cannot beliere that this fear
S so widespread rs the opponents of
equal suffrage would have us believe
It seems to me impossible that it can
De so; but even if there were such a
ear. 1t is utterly groundless and with
,ut justification. II any people ever
gave evidence 1T genuine sincerity in
heir political conduct, the majority of
he people of Utah have Enthusiastically
the most unfeigned SIN
.eriiy in their division on national
,arty lines To say that women
would be swayed by their impulses
md religious Instincts is TO insinu-
tie that they are either lacking in in
diligence or wanting in integrity. Our
opponents expressly disclaim the form
r, and we emphatically deny the lat
er.
The same apprehensions that are
aid to exist concerning the women
ould just as well prevail with regard
o the men. and general diStrust would
'e the result Indeed. they were so
till events proved their !
liter falsity. If you believe that my /
yife cannot be safely trusted with the !
allot. do you not also believe that II
5 unsafe in my hands? And if not, I
Thy not? She is just as solicitous for /
he public veal as 1 am and could not /
o a wrong to society more easily than /
er husband. Is it not a fact. gentle /!
len, that the objection is fanciful; or |
D say the most that could be said, is /
not sentimental rather than real? |
his fear is idle and futile. The Sus-
icion is unjust. The women of Utah |
the privileges of electors for |
eventeen years. and / have yet to |
earn Of a single instance in which 1
nat sacred privilege was abused. The |
-anchise was not taken away from
aem because they were deemed I'M
-orthy or unfit for the trust, but for
Their reasons which have long since
aaSed TO exist. The least we can do
to restore it in the constitution. EX-
erience has shown that new response
iIties carry with them the determi-
alton TO fit ones self for the new
uties imposed. AS opportunities have
cen afforded to women TO acquire the
igher branches of education and be-
)me learned in the professions, they
ave embraced those opportunities.
heir minds and characters have re-
bonded TO their enlarged opportun-
les, and they have shown themselves
5 capable Of independent thought
nd action as men. So 1t viii be in the
aw state. Women will qualify them
lives for the duties Of citizenship and
lev will think and act from their cwn
aimed intelligence. They will per-
'rm their mission as vital members or
le state with as high a degree OF
isdom and prudence. and certainly
18th no less integrity. than men.
So 1 say that il the price OF state
BOD is the Acknowledgement Of one
alf of the people; if our wives, and
others, and daughters, are to be &C
,unted either unworthy or incapaci-
ted TO exercise the rights and priv
eges of citizenship, then, however
'ecious the boon may be. it is not
orthy of the price demanded, and l
n content to share with them the
satellites of territorial yassalage till
e time shall come, as it will come in
e providence of God. when all can