The Press., 1897-06-10
w. C. T. U.
Suffrage in Colorado.

Tho Colorado Equal Suffrage Associ- ation and the Civic Federation of Denver make the following statement in reply to reports circulated of late regarding the results of women suffrage in Colorado. They say among other things:
 "When false statements are made the weapons with which to defeat the liberty of women in other states, a measure of authoritative self-assertion becomes nec- essary. We do not claim that phenomenal good has been secured by the vote of women: the tyranny of political machin- cry cannot be overcome by the enthusiasm of raw recruits. We do claim that the women of Colorado have vital part in the great movement that is everywhere seeking better social order.
 The successful outcome of the late municipal election in Denver, occurring as it did, three years after our enfranchise- ment, was the first triumph of an organ ized effort made by women to influence conventions and carry an election. This success is considered an earnest of future achievement through women's ballot in the interest of reform.
 Never before the establishment of inn partial suffrage in our state has there been such concentrated effort in behalf of reform legislation. Bills relating o'Civil Service," "local option," ''indeterminate sentence" thew primary law" and "im- proved election laws'' were all proposed and indorsed by organizations of women- The first legislature of the new order passed bill giving the wife equal rights with her husband and the possession of their children, and the bill raising to eighteen years of 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. Conine, is found to have cost the state $2.OOO less during the session lately adjourned than ever before.
 To the efficiency of Mrs. Peavey's ad- ministration in the offices of state superin- tendent of public instruction, commission of school lands and state librarian, fine testimony is given by the German element of our population, which is usually op- posed to the recognition of women as citi- zens of the commonwealth. The Denver Herald journal published in the Ger man tongue, says in. one of it's January l issues: Our readers know that w, have never been in favor of women in politics, and are not to-day; nevertheless, if the women of the state can. put such officers in the field as Mrs. Peavey, to whom we can point as an example of immovable official integrity, then the women will be most welcomecomrades in the fightagainst the corruption that disgraces our republic. In regard to the effect of universal suf- frage in, Colorado upon the temperance question, it found, that, although the ranks of the temperance party have not been largely recruited, because women as well as men arein doubt as to the wisdom of working foI. temperance through 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 there sale. 4. ....
 We are conscious of no deterioration in essential womanIiness and detect no dimi- mutton of courtesy on the part of our masculine friends, We believe that the sympathy and:co-operation 6fs man and women in the things that co11cerH good government are an important step in the process of social evolution.
 The statement was signed by K. A. G.. Patterson, president, and Helen G. Ecob, corresponding secretary of the Colorado Equal Suffrage Assofiatien; Sue, M: Hall, president, and Mary P. Boiler, cores | ponding secretary of the Civic Federation.