The sun., 1895-02-03
COLORADo'S WOMEN LAWMAKERS.
Two Incidents Indicating n Change in tho
Relations of Men and Women.

1"o AuciutnNs hnutcnttnE n thnnRe In tho
Relations of Men md Women.
DENVER jan 3O.Believers in equal suffrage
are not altogether pleased with the result so far
OF the experiment of sending women to the
Legislature. The three women who are the first
in the history of the country to be chosen as
lawmakers have in every way acquitted them
selves most creditably. No one speaks dis
paragngly of their qualifications. 1t is the in
fluence Of their presence that is criticised.
The first thing to strike the visitor to the gal
lery of the handsome room occupied by the lower
House Is the prevalence of women everywhere
They lean over the ratings of the galleries all
day long They sit on the floor of the House
with the members whom they happen to know.
They occupy the chairs reserved for ex members
who may wish to see how their successors are
doing things. The men who are members or
officials seem to regard them with meek and pa
tient tolerance. But it is evident to the most
casual observer that since woman has become
mans equal all romantic illusions concerning
her have been dissipated. She is treated with
extreme courtesy, but no more homage Is paid
to her. She is regarded as indiTerently as IL
really only man. And surely no one could
wish the relations Of men and women politicians
to be in the least tinctured with coquetry.
While only praise and commendation have
been expressed in regard to the altered place of
happened at two recent sessions of the Tenth
General Assembly suggest the question: Where
will the results OF equal suffrage lead men in
their relations to the progressive women? The
day OF the reelection of Edward o. Wolcott to
the United States Senate furnished the first in
stance of disrespect from men toward the
women. A much -to-be-regretted resolution
rejecting on the character of the Republican
candidate was presented by emissares OF the
Denver branch OF the w. c. r. t., and IL was
resented by members of Senator Wolcott's
party. One man so far lost his temper and good
manners as to refer to the bearers OF the resolu-
tion as "hatchet faced" He also uttered a slur
on the characters of the women whom he called
"hatchet faced" He was greeted with hisses
and general indignation was EXPRESSED; yet
somc, who insisted on carrying the equality of the
sexes to its logical ending, declared that IL
women attacked the characters Of men they
must expect the battle to be fought on their own
plan of campaign.
The second clash between the two sexes oc-
Cured in the discussion OF the bill raising the
age Of consent from 16 to n years. 1t was in
troduced by Mrs. Holly the member from Pue-
bio. who made u strong speech pleading for
protection for the girls OF Colorado. The two
other women members warm ly supported the
deal of opposition, which no one dared at first to
express for, the galleries were packed with
worked up regarding the bill. Every man knew
that lie ran the risk OF being branded Il de-
stroyer OF virtue If he made any objections.
some men advocated the proposed alteration
and received applause from tho galleries. AT
last LAWYER and u populist rose and asked If
the wording of the bill would not intcrdict mar
riage until girl should be u years of age. The
women Missed him, and then the discussion be-
Another Populis, said he would favor the bill
II the age named was 80. He not allowed
to finish his remarks, as the women looking on
cheered him so enthusiastically that his voice
hid their heads behind their high desks and
laughed. a Republican member Faid that the
women most sympathetic in regard to the bill
which insured the punis Of boys over IA
severe on those of their own sex who had fallen
from the straight and narrow path. His speech
was received with eroans and Kisses. Another
member argued that II the new law should be un-
" suppose that the girls Of Colorado should by
any little technicality hidden in Mrs. Holly's |
bill TO prevented from marrying before the |
age OF y would that be any crimeI" This |
evoked laughter and the spinstcrs in the
galleries tried to look agFrieved free for all dis
cusslon followed until the colured member said |
ne agreed 20 the change concerning tho age of |
girls, but lie would oifer an amendment fixing |
amendment was carried, and 10 save the hill its |
friends had further consideration pos tpOnCd. |
The debate was In some respects marked by u |
lax or the delicacy of speech expected.
Tho men who had escaped putting themselves |
on record fled from the Capitol. while crowds OF |
indignant women gathered around tho co,urcd |
man and tho other members who had suggested /
alterations in the bill. The greatest excitement
silent Were accused OF fixing up a scheme with |
tile cOlOred member. Groups nj wpIatn pursued |
the fleeing members and lohhi,d in II way That |
made thS men wish they had never become |
n IIl 1E "a t IA