The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1902-10-24
WOMAN SUFFRAGE.
Some Facts Regarding Its Exercise in
Australia and in Wyoming
and Colorado.

While sufragists cannot but feel
pleased over the testimony of Premier
Seldom of New Zealand regarding the
excellent effect of woman suffrage in his
country, it is evident that he is not en-
tirely rid Of the old prejudices that have
stood as stumbling blocks in the path
way of every step in the progress Of
women, from receiving an education to
depositing a ballot. How natural 1t
seems for people to oppose every reform
while it is struggling for an existence
and approve Of it after it becomes all es-
tablished fact.
Premier Seldom has upon several oc-
casions expressed himself in unqualified
approval of the results of woman sur
frage in New Zealand and says: t"They
have made the polls as quiet as 4 place
of worship; they have raised the moral
tone of politics and they nave advanced
the cause of social REFORM but when
asked why the women Of New Zealand
were not allowed to sit in the parlia-
ment, he said: "While they are eminent
~ fitted to exercise the suffrage, and
through it their benign influence, they
would be decidedly out of place in Par
lament He went still further and as
serted that 'the women had considered
the matter among themselves aud de-
termined that they could do more good
without entering Parliament"
Doesn't that sound natural? Just
what we hear in this country, women
do not want to vote" They believe they
can do more good with their benign in.
fuence than with the ballot.
Premier Seldom was opposed to WON.
an suffrage before it was granted, and
now that it is an accomplished fact he i,
enthusiastic in his praises, but is opposed
to the next progressive step. Mankind
seems to be built that way, and eyery
new battle must be waged against tbs
same, old conservatism and prejudice that
nave existed since the world began. It
Is the same in this country in the states
where they have woman suffrage: thew
believe in it now, and many who were it's
most bitter opponents are now it's strong
est advocates. 80
AS it happens this assertion of Pre-
mler Seldom, to the effect that the wom-
en- ~ nao considered this matter among
then!se!ves and determined that they
Gouid do more good without entering
Farllament, seems to be entirely the re-
suit OF his own imagination or il ignorance,
as is SHOWN by the report Of the last an
nual meeting of the New Zealand Won
ans Council, which is by far the strong
est organization of women in that coun-
try, being a combination, of all other So
cletles of women. At this meeting there
a most indignant protest against the
exclusion of women from the Parliament.
There was no division of. opinion upon
this question and the council passed
unanimously the following:
"Resolved, That in the opinion of this
council the time has come when all dis
abilities which at present hinder women
from sitting as members Of either of the
houses of legislature, or from being
elected Or appointed to public office or
position in the colony, should be re-
moved, and that with regard to all pow
ers, rights and duties of citizens absolute
equality should be the law of the land.
In this country the newspapers are
continually informing us that. women do
not want to vote and would not vote if
they could, that they are convinced that
they can accomplish far more through
their indirect influence than through the
this theory, as is shown from official re-
ports from the states where they have
full suffrage
The Official report Of the Wyoming
secretary of state says that at the last
presidential election 80 per cent. of the
women voted Former Gov. Steunen-
berg Of Idahol in an article in Harper's
aBaZar, says that at the last presidential
election in that state the women cast 50
do not constitute 80 per cent. Of the, in
the ballot for years. : Something over a
year ago: the Denver News, in an edi-
torial, called ATTENTION to the fact:that the
women showed no signs of getting tired
of .-he ballot and added: s.
Their interest in the campaign last