The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-05-14

Civic Federation of Denver make the fol-
lowing statement in reply to reports cir
culated uf late regarding the results OF
woman suffrage in Colorado;
We, the members OF the Colorado
Equal Suffrage Association, and OF the
Civic Federation of Denver, having had
our attention called to sensational and
misleading reports Of some eastern Jour-
mails concerning the results of impartial
suffrage in our state. are impelled to is
sue a brief answering statement:
We do not claim that phenomenal Rood
haa been secured by the vote of women.
The tyranny OF political machinery,
made effective by long usage under the
mauaGcment OF trained workers cannot
be overcome by the enthusiasm OF raw
recruits. We do claim that the women OF
Colorado have a vital part In the great
movement that Is everywhere seeking q
better social order. The successful out
come OF the late municipal election IN
Denver, occurring as It did three years
after our franchisement was the first tri-
umph OF an organized effort made by
women TO influence conventions aud car
~ an election This success is considered
an earnest OF future achievement
through wuman's ballot in the interest OF
reform
Never before as since the establish
ment Of impartial suffrage in our state
has there been here such concentrapu
EFFORT in behalf OF reform legislation.
Bills relating 10 ''clvil service local op-
tlon ain determlnate sentence" new
urinary law" and improved eleOapn
laws" were all proposed and endorsed By
organizations OF women The first legIs-
ture of the new order passed bill giving
the wife equal rights with her husband
in the possession Of their Children and the
bill raising TO eighteen year0 The age OF
legal protection for girls
In our present house OF representatives
the effort toward practical economic re-
form Is Illustrated In the careful work OF
the printing committee which, under the
chairmanship OF Mrs. Gonlne, IS found to
have cost the state 5000 less during the
session lately adjourned than ever be-
fore.
Mrs. PsSvsy'S RscOrd.I
To the efficiency of Mrs. Peavey's ad-
mInistracion OF the offices of state super
intendent Of public instruction, commits
sloner OF school lands and state librarian.
fine testimony Is given by the German
element Of our population which u usual
ly opposed TO the recognition OF women as
citizens OF the commonwealth. The
Denver Herald, journal published in
the German tongue. says in one Of Its
January issues: Mrs. Peavy showed
zeal In performing her official duties
hitherto unknown In state officials. OF
unImpeachable devotion 20 duty and
great integrity, inspired and upheld by
flrmncss and uprightnesS OF character
she not only attended to the duty OF over
seeing the teaching in the schools, but
insisted that the business OF the boards
10 which ahe belonged should be handled
in proper manner. Often she was obliged
to caTi the male members OF the boards
TO book when they wished TO lay on the
table measures demanding much time
and attention; while in her school lands
commission works she prevented many a
bad sEyindle by her energetic investiga-
ton and always protected the poorer peo-
pie against the Greed OF the more power
flll."
II the absurd and unfoundcd comments
OF the eastern press in regard 10 the la
bllity OF Colorado women to the require
menbl OF military service and rumors OF
unwomanly violence OF temper In I'M
portant state conventions be worthy OF
notice, Il MAJ be answered that the
women Of the centennial state arc as Sc
curely exempt from military duty as are
tho women living under the control OF
those states which still deny TO them the
gentle hut effective weapon OF the ballot
Further we answer that no representa-
tive convention has had such experience
OF wild disorder as has been announced
by uniformed eastern papers.
In regard to the effect OF universal
suffrage in Colorado upon the temper
ance question, II is found that although
the ranks Of temperance have not been
largely recruited, because women as well
as men are in doubt as TO the wisdom OF
working for temperance through a dis
tinct PARTY. temperance legislation has
been materially assisted. Three years
ago only three Colorado cities prohibited
the sale OF intoXicants. Now twenty
seven municipalities refuse TO grant
license for their sale
Asto Dignity.
An Interesting fact has lately been
noted in regard to the relative dignity of
the two houses OF our legislature. The
lower house outranks the senate in the
serious dccorum OF legislative dellhera-
tion, The few women who sit as mem
hers in the representative hall or our
beautiful Colombo capitol seem, uneon-
gcIously, TO impose upon Its proceedings
n greater regard for the amenities OF
spcech and conduct than Is observed in
the upper house, where there are yet no
women TO be considered.
No less characteristic OF western chiv-
airy IL the Improvement that woman'S
presence has made IN the localities OF
primary meetings and polling booths. In
many precincts. where formerly they
were held In stables or drinking saloons.
primaries are now convened In home
parlors and pooling booths are arranged
in respectable buildings and voting Is In
varlably conducted with decorum.
Since the success OF the legislature re-
fcrendum Of 1893, the women OF Colorado
have cvInccd remarkable interest In all
things pertaining to the general good.
Because their opinions expressed through
tho ballot box have due weight In bring
ing about actual results they have felt II
their duty 10 make themselves ncqunlnt-
ed with the principles and methods OF
government
All this IL a thrice told tale. whose re-
petition, however, II seems necessary to
continue until its gospel shall penetrate
the dull cars OF ancient prejudice and the
obstinate dcafness 0t those who VIII not
hear. The same thing is charmlngly re-
peated by a bright Denver woman, who.
in reply to solicitous Inquiries OF an cast
orn friend, wrote:
whether our character has deterlOr-
atcd by she use of the ballot. or whether
an Improvement IL indicated by an in