Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-09-18
WHAT OUR NEIGHBORS SAY.
Plea For the Participation Of vermont's
Women in the Decision of the Lo-
cal Option Referendum.
(From the Ludlow Tribune.)

There is really very little doubt that
under a form of government like ours
which purports to be republican and bas-
ed ON the everlasting principles of lib
erty, equality and fraternity, an actual
injustice exists in denying to women the
privilege of voting. The difference of sex
Is not an equitable reason for differences
In duty, privilege, or responsibility. The
oretically woman has a right to vote, to
raj se beard or to smoke cigars. The FIRST
she Is forbidden to do by law; the second
by nature; the third BY custom there are
exceptions to all these cases The ques-
ton of woman's suffrage is entirely one of
expediency, and it IS highly probable that
If three-fourths of the women of America
wanted to vote they should finally have
their way.
Heretofore the women of Vermont have
had no voice in political or legislative mat
tors, and they have not as a unit desir d
any, But the present agitation of the
liquor law question interests them as W Ii
as the men and a determined attempt Will
be made to persuade the general assembly
to allow the women to vote on the substi-
tuition of a local option bill for the prohib-
tory law. If the attempt Is successful
probably three fourths of the women
would vote for prohibition and would hold
the balance of power The prohibitionists
will therefore favor the plan and the Ii
cense men will oppose it. 1t is generally
assumed, though by no means certain.
that referendum would be useless under
such circumstances as local option would
be sure to be voted down.
Inasmuch as there is no provision IN the
constitution or the laws of Vermont for
a referendum. the general assembly may
impose such restrictions as il secs mt, it
being purely voluntary method of OBJ
tanning the popular decision. 1t was of
course understood in the republican State
convention that the will of the people"
meant the will of the legal voters. but tho
Legislature Is empowered to rule other
wise ii 1t chooses.
If then it is legally and morally right
for the women to take part in the refer
endum what good reason is there for deny
ing them the opportunity?
one reason is that "A large number of
them do not want to vote. Voting is not
only Il privilege but it is grave respon-
sibility. In fact some of the men often
find it more of responsibility than a
privilege. If the women who want to vote
may vote. those who do not want to vote
must vote also. Many women would sign
Il petition to the Legislature asking for
the opportunity, who really prefer not to
have it. Men do such things every day.
1t Is much easier to sign petitions than to
refuse.
Another reason is that leaving the mat
ters of politics. law and economies in the
bands of the men keeps the woman more
WOmanlY. Woman is on n higher moral
pI'lle thah man To-Day parity pechnse
.iie men run tne government II Is ques-
.loh NHvther woman SURFACE would ete-
waite political conditions or degrade wom-
ankind. Inequalities level down rather
easier than up.
many voters now Monv mon ci, ,yot n'e ovo Wv
| year who nave no moro qualifications for
cnlzchshlp IMAM wooden indian. Some
n at vi
service examination. and prove that he is
| ahle 10 support himself Extending the
| Suffrage TO women Will only increase this
dltlculty All the mon are not shiftless
ana All the women are not wise and thrifty.
ne suffrage heeds contraction rather han
expansion.
Another reason is that as the liquor law
Is resurrection OF economic expediency it
must ne settled entirely apart form any
sentmentalism. The women are all for
temperance, tut II they had the opportu-
rites which men nave to sec how prohi-
bltlons falls TO promote temperance not
SO many OF them would be prohibitionsts.
10 vote on the question they should have
not only emotionS out also knowledge 1t
IS unuenlapie that they are prohihiticd
from gaining knowledge except in extreme
cdses'
fihally the men nave run TINS country
| Tor over one hundred years and have made
sam small 10 the contrary notwlthstand-
ing.
lnere IS muCh TO be said in favor Of al
LOWING the women 10 vote, but IL is not by
| any means one-slded question
,.p,,,>..,.e, 40, ,,,rl,. l..
Nr'itMONl - iOl"4l CAl| CYCLONE.
(From the lions Herald)
,,,,
can he no question as 10 the will of n ma .
JorllE OF tHe people; Imey are .lred. not
ued Ion-enforcement. So it was in Maine
until the lamented Pearson showed tha
the law could be honestly and effectively
! enforced Nothing has operated moro
! damagingly against the probibitory law.
as we have always claimed. than for uro-
hibitionists to assume that the law was
! enforced. When every intelligent and IN
rreiudiced observer knew il was moi. The
! people are tired of the shams. the hyo RI
| sizes the political methods connected wit IN
the pretended enforcement of the law. We
shall not be SURPRISED If The law is repeal =
| ed without the formality of n referen-
| dun
The neoule Of Vermont have becou,,
ucariod al .,nachire poI,tics" So large
| and steady has become the republIcan
! mn ioritv that TO secure a nomina tion WA :
| oo,,ivalont TO an election. That leads IA
I =, ,ery dnr,oralizire nolitical condition
ory,ybere and IL has moved to be 80 I'm
Varr,ont When any marry can nou , ma,
ioritv Of nearly 2 to i as the Ronuhlicar
,art,, hos bann accustomed 70 do IN tb,t
ST. n,n,rin,. methods in coucue and cor
/ .or,ion Of tho worst tvpe are III ly IN
/ erd nlnce
,rt,te ,tonor,ors, ro,i+iooI o,.o,oro to lilo
~ r., cinar the air and comnol more honest