The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-05-14
FAIR ONES PROTEST
COLORADO sUFrRAGISTS DENY
MALIGNANT AsPERSIONs,


It's No Such . Thing, That They Have to be
Soldiers and be soi.ed In the Filthy
POSI- of PoIitics-They've Saved the
State lots Of Money, Taught Legislators
How to Sit Without Putting Their Feet
Over the Desk. anc are Studying Up on
Politics just as Hard as Ever They Can
SO There Now.
Denver, May 13.-The Colorado Equal
Suffrage association and the Civic Fed
Ecation Of Denver, make the following
statement in reply 10 reports circulated
Of late, regarding the results Of woman
suffrage in Colorado.
I'VE. the members Of the Colorado
Equal Suffrage association and of the
Civic Federation OF Denver, having had
pur attention called to sensational and
misleading reports OF some eastern jour
aals concerning the results of impartial
suffrage in our state, are impelled to is
''Self-assertion being as unbecoming
in associa tons as in individuals, we
should accept in silence, as the inevitable
due OF the innovator, the persecution Of
prejudiced critics, did their hostility af
feet only ourselves. Blu. when false
statements are made the weapons with
which 10 defeat the liberty of women il
other states, a measure Of authoritative
seif-asser.ion becomes necessary. We do
not claim that phenomenal good has
been secured by the vote Of women.
The tyranny of political machinery.
made effective by long usage under the
management 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 seek
Ing better social orderm.
BY THEIR FRUITS.
THE successful outcome OF the late
municipal election in Denver, occurring
rs it did three years after our enfran-
chisement. was the first triumph OF an
organized effort, made by women 10 in
fuence conventions and carry an eiec-
ton. This success is considered an earn
est effort OF future achievement through
wemans ballot in the interest of re-
fern.
''Eever before, as since the establish
ment OF impartial suffrage in our state.
has there been here such concentrated
effort in behalf of reform legislation.
Bills rela ting to civil service, local op-
tion, indeterminate sentence, a new
primary law and improved election
laws were all proposed and endorsed by
organizations of women. The first leg
islature of the new order passed a bill
giving the rights equal rights with her
husband in the possession of their child
rem. and the bill raising to eighteen years
the age OF legal protection for girls.
In our present house of representa-
tives the effort toward practical econo-
mic reform is illustrated in the careful
work of the printing committee, which,
under the Craftsmanship of Mrs. Conine,
Is found to have cost the state $1,000 less
during the session lately adjourned than
ever before.
ITO the efficiency Of Mrs. Peavey's ad-
ministration OF the offices OF state su-
perintendent Of public instruction. COM
missioner of school lands and state IL
brarian, fine testimony is given by the
German element Of our population,
which isusually opposed to the recog-
milton of women as citizens of the COM
monweaitfi.
A GERMAN TESTIMONIAL.
1.-THE Denver Herald, journal pub
iished in the German tongue, says in one
Of its January issues:
"'Mrs. Peavey showed a zeal IN per-
torning her official duties hitherto I'M
known in state officials. OF unimpeach-
bible devotion to duty, and great integ-
tity, inspired and upheld by firmness
and uprightness OF character, she not
bnly attended TO the duty Of overseeing
the teaching in the schools. but insisted
that the business of the boards 10 which
she belonged should be handled in a
proper manner. Often she was obliged
10 call 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 work she prevented many
bad swindle by her energetic investiga-
hon and always protected the people
, against the greed Of the morep owerful.
"'Our readers know that We have new
- been in favor OF women in politics
and are not today; nevertheless. if the
women OF the state can put such officers
in the field as Mrs. Peavey. TO whom we
:sn point as an example OF immovable
official integrity, then the women will De
most welcome comra ies in the fight
against the corruption ina, disgraces our
republic
MILITARY DUTY.
IF the absurd and unfounded COM
ments Of the eastern press in regard 10
the liability Of Colorado women 10 the
requirements Of military service. and
rumors OF unwonanly violence OF temp
er in important state conventions be
worthy Of notice. il may he answered
that the women OF the Centennial state
are as securely exempt from military
duty as are the women living under the
control of those states which still DENY
TO them the gentle but effective wea-
pom OF the balloS. Further. We answer
tia: no representative convention has
had such experience OF wild disorder as
has been announced by mis!nfo-med
eastern papers.
TEMPERANCE.
In regard 10 the effort ot universal
suffrage in Colorado upon the temper
ance question. il is found that. although
The ranks Of the temperance party have
not been largely recruited. because wo-
men as well as men are in doub; as 10
the wisdom OF working for temperance
through distinct party, temperance
legislation has been materially assisted.
Three years ago only three Colorado