The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-22
BALLOT FOR WOMEN.
Senate Committees Hearing on Pro-
posed Amendment.
Many Noted Women Urge the Submission
Of the Proposition 10 Vote.

The Senate committee ON special legislation
gave public hearing on the proposed wo-
mans suffrage amendments to the constitution
of tho State at IL o clock today. The Senate
chamber was filed by the friends OF the
movement and the many strong pleas for the
extension of the franchise to women were re-
eived with enthusiasm.
Arnold b. Chace OF Central Falls who con-
Quoted the hearing for the petitioners. made
a few remarks in favor OF the amen dment
after which he introduced Mrs. Jeannette q.
French OF Pawtucket, who also spoke briefly
and read letters from Mrs. Chapman Gait Of
Now York. Mrs. Houghton OF Pawtucket.
Mrs. Elizabeth b. Chase of Valley Falls. Hon.
Henry d. Metcaif and others. all OF whom
expressed their regret at their inability to be
present at the hearing and their full SYM
ratby with the object of the amendmsnt.
Mrs. Ellen NJ. Bolles Of Providence read
similar. letter from Mrs. Anna Garlin Spen.
Ger and then made a lengthy plea for the
passage of the amendment urging that IL
was merely in justice to women that they
hsc asked TO have the question submitted to
the people. u at that time the men refused
to allow this extension of suffrage the women
would submit TO the verdict. but they held
that they had right to demand that the
matter should he put to vote.
Miss Lucy Stone Blackwell of Boston was
the next speaker. She explained in detail the
result OF tho mock vote recently taken in the
State OF Massachusetts and showed that. in
reality, IL was victory for women. as IL
proved that they themselves were desirous OF
the elective franchise. their vote having stood
25 to in favor of the proposition.
Rev. Mr. Selle"k described the suffrage
campaign that resulted ip the adoption OF q
similar amendment in the State of Colorado,
and Mrs. Mary Bahcock. the president of the
Rhode Island women's Christian Temperance
Union. urged tha. the extension Of the cleo
tive franchise to women would.=.result in a
moral Improvement in all grades OF society
Temperance would then be possibility. and
the social problems that are now unheeded by
the legislatures would then be considered by
those best able 10 hande them.
Judge Eugene'H. Warner of Coventry said
that he was member of the woman's suf-
rage Club and was heartily in favor OF the
amendment. He had witnessed the progress
OF the movement before the General Assem-
bly, for nearly 20 years, and he had seen it
advance from point where 1T was met with
Jokes and ,esrs. to a position where 1t COM
pellsd earnest consideration. Today, no boz
iieved that tho time was ripe for the ques-
sion, ana th6SykVU&hyvo be brought before
the people Scores OF prominent citizens tas
asked for the privilege Of voting upon th
question. and it was but jusStbat their re-
quest should he granted. The cost TO the
state would be practically nothing. and 10
would settle the question as to whether a
majority of the citizens were in favor Of this
extension OF suffrage or not
Mrs. Charlotte Perkins stetson of California
who recently appeared before the congress
siopal committee ut Washington to uphold. the
demands Of the surragists. made an eloquent
appeal for suffrage. She urged that the nation
was in need Of woman's influence in legisla-
tive fffairs, and said that the adoption Of such
amendments TO State constitutions would
have direct influence upon other Of the ex-
elusive customs. 1t would mean the wider
admission Of women in business affairs an
equality of wages. and the power OF holding
Office II had otter boen said that placing
women in such different status would have
an injurious upon the home and family. This,
she believed. to bs entirely without founda-
tion. as it had always bsen shown that those
who had the greatest knowledge and the
srsAtest power had always made the best
wives and mothers.
Rev. James Tiliinghast spoke briefly. and
was followed by Mrs. French and Colonel
John G. wyman. who closed ths hearing with
few remarks urging the com mittee to allow
tho question to be submitted to the people.