The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-11-23

mat, NJ Least, u inc bUkReeICu OF y
Rochester Newspaper-1he Outcome
Of . Fraudulent voting case In which
Colorado woman Was Accused
--IIansas Republicans and woman
sunrase-The Suffrage Conference.
A constant reader OF the Rochester (N.Y)
Democrat and Chronicle does not find any
thing on its editorial page to convey the
idea that the paper is In favor Of woman
suffrage, but he does see many little fouts
and filings which indicate quite the con-
trary. In this connection its opinion on
Indian suffrage. as expressed few days
ago, possesses considerable interest. II
seems that a congress is soon TO be called
by the Rosebud agency In South Dakota
TO arrange for concerted action TO secure
for all male Indians the right OF suffrage
When women AK for the franchise they
are told that It is not right but let that
pass II is far more important to know
what the Democrat and Chronicle thinks
about bringing the Indian brethren into tho
political fold. which. Is. in brief, as follows:
a congress Of Indians to demand SUI
frage would be a novelty and also a most
desirable gathering Indians will
begin to value the right Of suffrage after
they have exercised IL. The common
criticism that they will sell their votes is
hardly worthy OF attention. Some Of the
ignoI ant Of every race will sell their votes
II opportunity offers In time the Indian
will learn the true Use of the ballot and de-
fend It with all his energy. The expert
ment Of clothing every Indian in New
York State also with the right Of suffrage
may well be tried as a step toward adop-
ton into the body Of citizens. whether they
maintain the tribal relation or not. Cit.
senship may we'll come before the tribal
relations are ended.
In other words there Is Just one little
fragment OF male bipeds in the United
States that 10 not enfranchised and Congress
has been saying TO them for years: Come,
waAh OF your paint and few other things;
exchange your blanket for pair OF trousers
and we will make you at once a political
sovereign But the noble redskin much
prefers his tribal relations and refuses
TO be bought of. Now the proposition
is TO thrust the ballot upon him. tribe or no
tribe. II seems such a terrible degrada-
ton for any Of the male species to be dis
franchised.
But why this great anxiety 70 enfranchise
the Indians? Why not wait till the ma
jority Of them demand it' Whenever
body Of educated, law-abiding women
ask for the suffrage they are Invariably
commanded to 60 away back and sit down
and wait till the majority Of the 10 900, 900
adults OF their sex join in the request
Where is the equity in requiring this in the
case Of women and forcing the ballot upon
the male Indians when not even minority
want it? But" We are told, the Indians
will value the right after they have exer-
cised it, Is it not logical to think white
women will do the same? Or Is there some
fine. noble sense Of appreciation In an
Indian man which is beyond the capacity
Of a white woman?
We would also Like to know why "a oon-
gress Of Indians 70 demand the suffrage
would be q most desirable gathering?" Is
1t because they would bring TO the great
electorate some valuable qualities which
it very much needs? II certainly stands In
heed Of some new elements and PERHAPS
these Sit TX Indians Of South Dakota are
the chosen ones TO furnish the necessary
salvation. u ls9Oa woman suffrage ameId-
ment was submitted to the voters In South
Dakota, and AT the same time one 10 en-
franchise the male Indians. Miss Anthony,
Mrs. Chapman Gait, the Rev. Anna Shaw
and other national women made a cam
paign in the Interest Of the fist measure
The politicians took care of the latter
When the Republican State convention
met in Mitchell these ladies' with num-
Der Of prominent South Dakota women
requested seats Oh the floor Of the conven-
ton. but were refused As soon as it
opened member stated that a delega-
zion was waiting outside which would prob.
ably soon represent 5000 votes II was
voted by reclamation to send a committee
TO bring them in. They soon returned &C.
or y I,,J
in blai kets and moccssirs with their hair
braided down their backs with cotton
strings Both amendments failed. that for
women suffrage receiving al affirmative
vote of IS per cent: that for male Indian
suffrage IS per cent. While these women
were going over the State making their
pleas the indians were holding orc of the
biggest ard lo' gCst ghost dances on record,
but OF the two proposed classes Of voters
Dakota men preferred the latter, evidey tly
TO the young and ambitious St9te
Doubtless the New York editors and
political leaders feel the same way Thew
are anxious for III" purity Of the ballot
and they think that the electoral body
will receive a much greater accession Of
m )rality from the votes of male Indians
than from those of women in general
There NAV be also another reason In
Mrs, Georges brilliant speech TO the anti
buHfdRt~ls HuSt week III ou1alO, she cllncheQ
or perhaps II would be more womanly
20 saw she closed-her argument by saving:
Suffrage is command to put into effect
the will Of the community (N and they
should give it to whom is given the physical
strength for lis execution" Now right
here IL where the Indians could he utilized
Well supplied with firewater and toma-
hawks they could enforce the will Of the
majoritv-and Of the minority also-in a
way that would make the National Guard
a mere superfiuity. Give them the ballot.
Just after the election last year a press
despatch from Denver told thrilling tale
of Mrs. Radcliffe who was arrested for
Illegal voting. which brought forth scores
Of dissert atoms from the truly virtuous
on the failure of women TO purify the poll
tics Of Colorado, When her case came
IN there was not shred of evidence against
her, she was honorablv discharged, and
Justice Hynes took occasion to score her
accusers, one Of whom was notorious
opponent OF woman suffrage.
This year some woman-the despatches
already have given her two names has
been arrested for voting more than once,
and we are again getting food OF mourn
ful comment on the melancholy failure Of
woman suffrage. fthe present Mrs. Smith
or Brown or Jones or whatever name il
finally settled upon is proved 10 be guilty
II will be tho first and only instance in the
nirc years experience of that State
Women In general do not claim to he NJ gels
That Is a pleasant little fict ion with which
men have amused Themselves. and women
AZ well, for a good many generations.