The San Francisco call., 1896-10-29
A PLEA FOR SUFFRAGE.

Woman's ability to do certain things has
been questioned from time immemorial, and
the propriety of her doing many things has
been still more contested. Everything outside
the beaten path which her grandmother trod
is considered out of her sphere. Year by year
she has broken down the barriers which
closed to her some avenue of advancement,
and at the present time she is preparing to
take the next forward movement, step
which will make her the political equal of
man.
We have been told that we are not intelli-
gent enough to participate in governmental
affairs, but when we bring forward evidence
that more women are educated than men. that
more women than men can meet the educa-
tional requirements OF our constitution, then
we are told that book-learning does not count,
that it is the rubbing with the world" which
man considers the greatest educational fac
tor. which we lack and which he strenuously
tries TO prevent Us from getting.
To b. sure, when the argument suits his
purpose, man argues that the pubic school is
the greatest factor for civilization in this
country, but this must not be turned to ac-
count in behalf of woman. 1t will always be
conceded that nothing so tends TO advance
civilization as the education OF a people. and
if this can only come through rubbing with
the world" why not admit women TO this
great school of learning?
1t will, however, be difficult thing to con-
whom they come in daily contact are better
fitted for citizenship by their rubbing with
The world" than are the women by the mental
training given in our public schools and the
reading OF the literature OF the day. Our BOYS
and girls have exactly the same courses of
study in our schools; they read science OF gov
ernment and political economy together, and
when the girls can look forward 10 taking a
practical part in the government. then will
their interest in these lines continue and ex-
pand.
We will cheerfully admit that our brains do
not equal mans in size, and that the blood
with which they are supplied is of poorer
quality; but, after all, we seem to have been
able to do our full share of the worlds work.
and We feel that man can safely trust to us an
equal voice in making the cond tions under
which we must live. We are inspired by the
same patriotism, love of duty, and sense OF re-
sponsibility that fills the breast of every man
as he anticipates citizenship. We have entire
faith In the merits OF our plea, subs ntia ted
as 1T Is by the altogether satisfactory expert
ence where woman suffrage has been In prac-
uce Tor years, and We believe that our prayer
will be granted on the Sd of November.
Cannot the men of California realize that we
wome are thinking. feeling, suffering, aspir.
ing human beings; that we are distinct per-
sonalities, having a deep resi- onsibility as to
the character of the individual we turn out to
be; that we have the same loyalty to our coun-
try; that We have the same laws to obey; that
we have the same government to maintain by
the same method of taxation as applies to
men? We have greater interest in the home
lie, which Is acknowledged TO be the founda-
tion OF the nation; we have keener interest
in the children and all that affects them; we
have greater personalrnterest TO protect, and
yet we alone are compelled TO think, feel,
suffer and aspire TO obey, to sustain and to
maintain in silence, deprived of all voice In
regard to any of the conditions which affect
us equally with and sometimes more than our
brotners, and which are altered by legislation
from which we are excluded.
all this condition longer remain? Shall
the wives and mothers, the faithful women of
this country, continue to be the only disfran-
chised class, except the morally aud mentally
deficient? We simply ask you to put yourself
in our place and then apply the golden rule,
and we know there will not be man of you
but will vote aYes' for amendment No. 8.
CARRIE A. WHELAN,
Alameda County Press Committee.