The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-02-10

that great statesman Henry NJ. TellerO
We should not assume the prerogatiNe
of passing upon the merits or dement's
OF this measure and II seems To me no
fair-minded man can conscientiously
refuse To submit this question TO a
vote of the people.
That principle of human liberty. the
cause of the revolution, that taxation
without representation Is unjust, and
that other principle, the cause OF the
civil war. equal right for all citizens;
these two great principles of human
liberty are claimed for woman as well
as man, the claim is based upon the
great eternal principle that taxation
and representation must be co-exten-
sfve: that rights and burdens must cor
respond with each other, no single
principle of human liberty has been
enumerated since 1858 which does not
cover the claim of woman.
1T is said that women do not want
the ballot and ought to be
asked. and upon what principle
ought they to be asked? In
the language of Curtis. when nat
ural rights or their means OF defense
have been immemmorially denied TO
larger class, does humanity or justice
or common sense demand that they be
called To vote upon their own restora-
tion.' Did we wait for emancipation
until the slaves petitioned to be free?'
suppose there Is majority of the
women who do not wish 10 vote, IL that
good reason for depriving one woman
who is taxed of her equal representa-
tion or one woman of the equal pro-
lection of her life and liberty? This
amendment proposes no compulsion II
there are citizens of the state who
think IL unladylike or ungentlemenlike
to take part in government. let them
stay at home, but do not, gentlemen,
give them authority to detain wiser
and better citizens from their duty"
Mr.. Hill finished amid applause. He
followed his remarks by motion that
Mrs. Ella Knowles Haskell he invited
to address the committee. Objection
was made that the committee had no
power to invite any outsider TO ad-
dress IL. Ramsey of Gallatin. as op-
posed To the bill. was In favor of grant,
ing her the privilege OF the floor. Up
on motion of Loeb the committee arose
and in the house he renewed his mo-
ton that the lady be permitted To ad
dress the committee. Woods of Ra-
valli raised the point OF order that the
house could give no such permission.
The point was not sustained
Campbell of Park demanded the roll
call, which resulted i'm vote of "A TO
IL. and when the house returned to
committee Mrs. Haskell was invited ia
address the house. Mrs. Haskell spoke
ably and earnestly in favor of the con-
stitutional amendment. and was close
ly listened To and at the conclusion of
her remarks was warmly applauded.
Stork made a short speech, punctu-
ated with loud applause. In favor of
the bill. Watkins followed with re-
marks on the same side. He paid wo-
man an eloquent tribute and his speech,
was interrupted by applause.
Ramsey then took the floor In opposi-'
tion to-the .tf~usure. As usual. Ram
seys remarks were well received and
he displayed the usual quickness Of
retort to the many questions thrown
at him by the friends of the measure.
In opening Mr. Ramsey stated that he
was opposed To woman's suffrage for wO-
mans sake. he WIS opposed TO IL be-
cause II was contrary to democratic, re-
publican or populistic principles: because
IL was contrary to the principles of the
Christian religion and because il was op-
posed to the sanctity of the marriage con-
tract. Before starting TO prove this prop
osition he paid n compliment to the lead
ers of the woman's suffrage movement in
this state. He stated that all professions
were open 10 women and that although
they had not as yet made IA success In the
various branches which they had taken
up, yet he was perfectly willing to have
these women who had been endowed by
the creator with the ability to enter such
professions as they chose and wished
them success In their undertakings. lie
| recited the story of the Butte school elec-
ton last spring. and stated that Il number
of women voted five times: that girls had
voted who were not over 10 or II years OF
age. In answering the argument of the
long list of illustrious names that had
been presented as being I'm favor OF wo-
mans suffrage, he read "A letter from
| Gladstone opposing the idea and read let
! ters and expressions from numerous and
prominent women throughout the country
who oppose woman's suffrage. Taking up
| the argument that to deny the vote TO
woman was taxation without representa-
tion. he called the argument that minors
are not allowed 10 vote. although they
\ may be- taxpayers; the further fact that
a non-naturalized man must pay his tax
es, although he Is not voter. and that
a man who cannot read or write must
pay his taxes and denied that taxation
without representation was not an appro-
| pirate expression: that when that spirit
| was first announced II was when America
| was not allowed any counsel in the mat
! ter of taxation. but that II was fixed en-
| trely by n foreign power. while now the
women of our land are thoroughly repre-
! sented through the family In all legisla-
| tion. lie made the claim that "A great ma
| jority OF the women of this state do not
| want suffrage. He cited that during the
recent vote submitted 10 the women OF
| Massachusetts as 10 whether or not they
considered womans suffrage expcdient,
but per cent. OF them voted on the prop
osition. and that since the school matters
| of Connecticut have been submitted "a
women that for the first year only 2i2 per
/ cent. OF all the women OF voting age Of
| Connecticut had voted at all, and that the
second year only per cent had voted
| He stated that he did not for a moment
/ intend to be understood as putting wo-
/ men on an inferior plane with men. hut
! that In his estimation women belong 10 a
| different sphere. Answering the charge
| that those who voted against the mcasur,
| would be afraid TO meet their constltu-
/ ents, he asserted that he would not h,
/ afraid TO meet his. AS no democratic OF
| republican county or state convention IN
| the state of Montana had asked for wo-
| mans suffrage through their state OF
| county platform or otherwise; he assert
ed that the most able women writers oi
the day were not women suffFagists. "a,
made the arguments that tho Creator did
not intend women should vote as he had
not endowed her with the physical force
to enforce her laws. Hr illustrated By
| saying that II all men voted one way and
I all the women voted another way II