The San Francisco call., 1896-05-03

each country it was tried in restricted
form and gradually extended as expert
ence showed it's desirability.
As space is limi ted, we will consider in
this article only the status of the question
in the United States. At the present time
women have the school suffrage in twenty
three States and vote on local questions,
such as the issuing of bonds, etc., in four
States. Kansas was the first State to give
school suffrage, which it did in 1861. The
remaining States gradually fell in line.
This suffrage was conferred by the Legis-
latures, which could at any session recall
1T; but 1t has not been done in q single
instance. The women have exercised the
school suffrage in as large Numbers, proba-
bly,, as men would do if they had to comply
with all the necessary requirements and
then were permitted simply to vote for
School Trustees.
In Kansas women have municipal suf-
frage; in Wyoming, Colorado and Utan
they have the full Presidential suffrage,
voting for all elective officers on precisely
the same terms as men. The situation in
these four States ought to give us basis
on which to form an intelligent opinion.
After eighteen years experience of
school suffrage, Kansas, by acG of the
Legislature, conferred municipal suffrage
upon women in 1887. If the terrible re-
suits followed which are SO eloquently pic
tured by the opponents-deserted homes,
neglected families, unseXed women
the Legislature could at any time have
repealed the bill, but, although it has been
in the hands Of Republicans, Democrats
and Populists, during this time, there
never has been movement in this direc-
ton. The Chief Justice and the Associate
Justices of Kansas have submitted
written opinion that woman
suffrage has given a purer and better
municipal government" Hon. f. G.
Adams, secretary State Historical So
ciety, says that 'the vote of the
healthy influence in banishing riot and
disorder from the polls; all parties
vie in extending courtesies to them ):
they vote with good judgment, for the
common welfare, fo- the home and fire
side, for the freeing of the community
from demoralizing influences; there is no
longer question whether women want to
vote. The testimony of public officials
would I'LL several columns. At the cleo
tions last year, when there was no vital
issue, 50 per cent of all the women who
were registered, voted, a larger per cent
than OF the men. The Kansas City Daily
Journal says:
strated one fact, that the voting of women has
not changed the natural order of things or
anectea the wheat crop in any respects; but it
people that the world move without a
catastrophe.
We have no doubt candid admission of
facts would demonstrate that as rule the
women voted treer from prejudice and party
heat than the men did.
As lar as we have been able to analyze the
vote the women seem to have discrimin ated to
a degree that evidences critical examination
and selection OF candidates. There appears to
be none of that stultifying drivel of the aver
age voter-"without scratch" In other
words, they have shown themselves to be dis
Greet and intelligent citizens
1t is the first indication we have seen of re-
lief from the nightmare of corruption in eli ties.
In our sister city over the line they say il was