The Portland daily press., 1895-02-09

State were elected AS delegates TO inc
State convention. This convention was
the largest in the history OF Ghe otsIe'
and was more generally attended IN per
son and less by proxies than any other
party convention since the State was
created. 1t was held in large theatre
in Denver, and was composed OIL some
800 delegates, including very marked
sprinkling of women. Pending the re,
port of the committee on credentials, anu
at a time when the convention was caii-
ing for speeches from mem bers OF lts
party from whom it desired to hear, there
were several women called for, VINO
made brief addresses, and all OF bhem
were approximately listened to by tne
convention. In the proceedings OF the
convention the women took an active
and efficient part. They had much to 40
with the shaping of the ticket, whlcn
was very strong and acceptable one TO
the people of the State. The women
also attended personally to rhe reglstra-
tion of the women in the different wards
of Denver, and it was very fully and
completely doue. The work of the wom-
en- was perhaps more Important in this
direction than in any other. There mas
ever been known such CAREFUL, perfect
and complete registration and it was
practically looked after in the larger
cities by the women themselves.
The election was remarkable in the
fact that the vote was much larger than
never before in the history of the State.
Not only was it larger because of the
fact that the women voted. but the vote
was much closer to the registration than
ever before. Tn Denver, where we were
able particularly to observe the working
of the suffrage, the reason for this was
manifest. Some o5. 900 women voted in
Denver.
A far larger proportion of women who
were registered voted than of men who
were registered. The women were OH
hand early in the morning to cast their
ballots; the great majority of them had
voted long before noon, and they devot-
ed the rest of the day to procuring the
attendance OF the women who had not
heretofore voted.
Another somewhat noteworthy fact
concerning the election may be stated.
1t had always been assumed that the per-
sonal likes and dislikes of women would
count for much when they came to ex-
ercise their right of suffrage. In this
election, all these feelings were obllter-
ated in their determination that the tick
ct that they advocated should win. and
the overwhelming majority of the wom-
en- voted straight tickets without change
or erasure.
In reviewing the occurrences of the
election so far as women are concerned,
VIC UulIh tnC dIC WV A"'t
necessary conclusions: Women br1ng.to
the exercise of the right of suffrage an
| intelligence fully equal to that of the
male vote. They give evidence OF in
| tense earnesGness in the elections. we
| feel it is yet to be determined wheher or
not this earnestness will be evinced gen
orally in elections. or whether it is to be
attributed to the unusual state of facts
existing at the time of the last election.
One of the apparent results of the pres
ence of women as participators in politl-
cal matters is that political parties must
exercise greater care than before as to
| the character and standing of nominees
for Office. The tendency of the women
is to stand by the party ticket, and not
| to let personal favor or prejudice affect
the exercise of their right of suffrage.
There were no unpleasant results appar-
emit as the consequence of the voting by
women at this election. There has been
| an undeuied fear that the bestowal OF
the right might lead to certain offensive
demonstrations in the way OF what is
termed the strong mindedness of women.
Nothing of the sort was in the slightest
degree apparent. Women voted in far
greater proportion than men; they APP
parenly felt they were performing a
| duty rather than exercising a privilege.
| Upon our State ticket a woman was
nominated as Superintendent of Public
| Instruction, and there were three women
| elected rs members of tae legislature.
There was no unusual it sire on the part
of the women. of Colorado to be candi-
dates for Office, and the women who
were nominated and elected received
their nominations without wire-pulling
IN their behalf.
| In conclusion, we think we may say
| that in Colorado there is hardly q lover
of good government who does not believe
that the presence of women at the polls
in November last was An undisguised
blessing. If the question as to whether
the right of suffrage should be bestowed
on women should be again submitted
to the voters of Colorado, it would, in
our opinion. he carried in the affirmative
by far greater majority than it received
| a year ago. The influence and vote of
good women will always be cast for the
preservation and permanence of the home
| and of our institutions, and their pres
| epce as an influence in determining pub
lie questions, brings hope and promise for
| the future of our country.
Yours very truly,
uENPV NJ TVE,T EP