The San Francisco call., 1896-05-24
is NOT AN EXPERIM ENT,
Woman Suffrage Has Proved
a Success Wherever
Tried.
In Accordance With the Trend of the
Worlds Thcuyht and In.
telligence.


The proposition that it is just, right and
| expedient that women, being human
beings, part of the people, of the taxed
ana of the governed, should share equally
with men in the privileges of self-govern-
| ment, is by no means a novelty in con-
siderable part of the civilized world.
In England and her colonies, Finland,
Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland,
France, Russia, Siberia, Cape Colony and
India, in whole or in part, woman suffrage
prevails. Many people do not realize that
in twenty-three States of the Union also
school suffrage exists, dating, in some
cases, from 1861. Kansas, with municipal
suffrage, and three other States with full
suffrage all bear testimony that good re-
suits and not evil, to the woman herself,
to the home and to the community, follow
upon the consistent and equitable applica-
ton OF the principles of our democratic
form OF government.
Thus it is in no wise an experiment that
California proposes to try in the adoption
of amendment IL. Yet to the greater
numb Der of voters the matter, but recently
presented in this State to public attention,
has come as an innovation. To the
scruples and objections of the conserva-
tive the best answer and strongest argu-
ment seems TO be in the unqualified COM
mendation of Governors, Senators, Judges,
editors, ministers, presidents of political
and educational societies. Secretaries of
State and other public officials who have
experienced the working of the extended
franchise.
"Our women consider more carefully
than our men the character of candi-
dates" both political parties have found
themselves obliged 10 nominate their best
men in order TO obtain the support of the
women; under it we have better laws,
better officers, better institutions. better
morals and a higher social condition in
general mot one of the predicted evils,
such as loss OF native delcacv and disturb
ance OF home relations, has follow-d ..
| train; 81 Lad the strongest pr, ia &c
possible against it, but what l have seen
has completely changed my opinion. 1t
has worked well and is productive of much
good"; 'our best and most cultivated
women vote understanding and indie
pendently''; ''we have had no trouble
from bad women at the polls. We feared
that cultured women would shrink away
and the bold and indelicate come to the
front in public affairs, but no such thing
has happened" sit does not cause women
to neglect their domestic affairs; II
never heard a man complain that his wife
was less interested in domestic economy
because she had the right to vote and took
an interest in making the conn munity re-
spectacle; 1.-THE women have, suffered
no loss of respect and consideration !;
my wife voted and now takes a
greater interest in public affairs,
but her other duties have been
Just as well performed, she is Just as good
a wife, 1.-The women of the best home, of
the most social influence and already expe-
rienced in systematic charity were the
hau ci
good women to the help of good govern
ment just as they apply it in church and
charity work.; tine presence of women at
the polls in their own right as citizens is a
benefit to the polls, to the community and
has not changed the women any unless for
the better; mo unpleasantness is caused
in families, the women are as good wives
and daughters as before; 1.-The women are
as modest as ever and the men have not
degenerated."
Such are the reassuring comments of the
most intelligent observers. 1t is possibly
true that there were people in Paris all
through the tremendous events of the
Revolution who yet remained in ignorance
OF that mighty movement toward freedom
and equality. But there is no need tnat
any voter in California remain unenlight-
ened as to the progress and standing in
the world of equality for women.
The justice OF it may not be gainsaid and
there IS not single sound argument
against its expediency. There is not a
class OF men in existence who would con-
sent to occupy the position OF political
wards and proteges; nor who could resist
degeneration and the loss of respect, pub
lie and private, should they so consent. 1t
is not strange then that in the fullness of
time the world has moved on into the re-
cognition of the necessity for the extern
sion to woman also of all human rights
and opportunities.
Ii is as inevitable as the march of the
seasons. Centuries ago the seed was
planted; silently and unrecognized has it
been growing; to-day it is busting into
blossom in the sight OF ali men. A few
years more and the wonder will be that
solely on account OF sex invidious distinc-
tions and artificial disa abilities were ever
made between human beings. 1t is in
accordance with the trend OF the worlds
thought and intelligence to-day, that the
different political parties in California are,
one after the other, Indorsng freedom
justice and equality for women. This in
dorsement has been sincere. There have
been certain persons to claim the contrary
But the women who went up to Sacra-
mento know the difference between idle
compliment and sincere pledged and
heartfelt conviction and Endorsement
They know their friends. In the words of
one OF them: If you had been there you
would know as ! do that no insincere
fattery prompted those party pIanks.
Deny that every time and everywhere"
NJ. l.. WAKEMAN CURTIS,
Chairman Oakland Suffrage Press Com
mittee.
The Hale Estate,
Id