Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1904-04-29
WOMAN'S SUFFRAGE m OREGON.
Judges Decided That the Women
Should be Allowed to Vote.

Should be Allowed to Vote.
The Amicitians and Jeffersonians, on
last Monday night met in debate upon
the question, Resolved. "That the privi-
lege of suffrage be granted to the women
of Oregon" The yeffersenians debated
the affirmative and gained the decision
unanimously. They were represented
| by r. R Selleck, A. S. Hall and Guy E.
Moore. The Amicitians were represent
ed by D. Hirstele, 81. G. Brodie, and A.
S. Wells. The house was well filed and
all gave good attention to the speakers,
who were all we'll posted on their SUBJ
ject.
Selleck spoke first and said that since
the time of Reman power gradual
| reformation has been taking place and
every nation as it advances in civiliza-
ton has honored woman more and more,
and that as women demand more they
get more. Tnen they gave three reasons
why we should have woman suffrage:
l, Justice and equity demand 1t.
2. 1t has proved successful where it
| has been tried.
3. We need it in order that women
may take more interest IN the affairs of
government, thus enabling them to train
their sons to be better citizens.
They said that we must base all our
arguments as to the utility of such
| move on the results of trials along this
| line.
They argued that more principle was
needed in our political affairs than exists
at present and that where women have
been given the right to vote more prin-
| pie has sentered in.
It was also shown that if she were
given the ballot she would possess moral
and mental advantage which are now inn
possible of attainment, and how unjust
| it is that the prisoner, the tramp and the
pauper should be allowed to vote when
a good, pure-minded woman who is
much more capable should be excluded.
The same law hangs woman that hangs
man, therefore, they said she should
be allowed the same right to make the
laws. And if her sphere is the home
she should be allowed to help improve
the environment of her children.
The negative then said that Oregon did
not want suffrage for women for she had
twice voted it down and the Anti
| Woman's Suffrage League is stronger
than the Woman's Suffrage League.
That in Wyoming and Colorado things
were not bettered. They said that if
woman would use the ballot box better
| than men they would have shown it in
the past by rearing better sons. They
| will either vote like their male relatives
| or unlike them. If they vote like them
they will simply multiply the vote, if
unlike it will cause endless domestic
trouble. Men secured the right of suf-
frage by force and women canRot.
They said that in woman suffrage
states the saloon is still licensed. Thew
argued that if women are to vote they
must have Office, too. And the CUES
ton was asked, "Will woman who
makes mess of domestic duties straigh-
ten out civil affairs?" At last it was
suggested that if the highest and best
women of the land are given power to
vote so are the lowest and vilest.
| There is one more debate to decide
the society entitled to the Catch cup. The
final debate is between the Feronians
and Jeffersonians and the winner will be
declared the best debating society in the
College. The date for the fual contest
| will be in June.