Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-10-12
AN INFLUENTIAL CONVERT.

Suffrage" 1t ls evident that change
on this subject * coming upon the
minds Of influential people In this coun-
try and also In the British Isles, There
has been for many years very strong
prejudice against granting 10 women
tho elective franchise. Much Of this
has been maintained IN consequence OF
tho positions taken. both by Its
friends and its foes among the sex
particularly concerned Many women
have been yehemently opposed TO II.
Come ~ its prominent women advocates
have demanded e as n right, and oth-
ors Of them have endeayored to obtain
what they desire by national legislation
The chief ground OF hostility 10 II on
the part of the ladies who have lectured
and lnbored against It has been their
unwlllingness to assume the RESPONSE
bilities and duties Of the suffrage, They
have appeared TO be oblvious or indif-
ferent to the wishes Of their female
fellow-citizens, and because they did
not want 10 vote or hold Office, them
selves, were unwilling that any others
of their sex should acquire that privi-
lege. Tho active equal suffrhgists en-
deayorcd to make n national question
Of one that belongs to the respective
States OF the Union, and many Of them
after failing In their efforts with Con-
grcss. are stll agitating FOR constitu-
tional amendment, which they are not
very likely TO obtain
AZ the Deseret News has repeatedly
pointed out, the elective franchise Is not
mn inherent right OF citizenship, but a
privilege conferred by law. And the
laws governing its bestowal are state
laws, each individual state presorib-
ing the qualifications Of voters and
differing in their statutes concerning
them, although many Of the radical df-
ferences in those laws have disappeared
with the march OF events and the ex-
perienees OF the country. Property
qualifications have been removed IN
great many instances, and the laws
regulating the suffrage have become
more uniform ana rational.
stu there are but few Of the states
that have adopted equal suffrage and
placed women citizens on an equal po-
lIticai plane with male citizens. Yet
the leaven is working, and II the adj
yocates OF the measure will apply their
efforts to such states as give evidence
OF advanced sentiment on the subject,
they will gradually have the desired
effect, and at some time not far in the
future the majority Of the common
weaiths OF this country, finding that it
works wen In many OF them, will adopt
II themselves, and that win mean, very
shortly after, the universal recognition
of the rights and privileges of women
as citizens Of this republic.
We need not take up the so-caled
arguments against 1t, for they have
been met and refuted time and time
again. Every supposed reason
against woman suffrage can be applied
with vqnal force TO male suffrage, for
tho objections put forward against the
women can be applied with equal force
to many men.
The North American Review says
oditorlally: I'VE are convinced that
the time has arrived when the welfare
of the Nation would be most effectually
rouserved by comforting upon women
the privilege OF voting and Of holding
political Office" After noticing the un-
tenable propositions set forth by some
Of the advocates OF equal suffrage, the
EDITOR remarks But mighty progress
began with the recognition OF mental
alertness as the chief ingredient OF
real attractiveness In women, and was
greatly enhanced by the sense OF re-
sponslbility aroused by their acquire.
ments OF right IN property
This, no doubt, has had much effect
IN changing the public mind in relation
to the subject. The fact that women
acquire and hold property M their own
right In many OF the states OF the
Union, puts the sex In a different High
before tho public to that when thu
old common-law principle prevailed
that the man and his Wife were one
and he was the one Holding title {,
property brings in the question OF taxa
ton. and the principle that those who
are taxed have the right TO say wh,
shall pass the laws 70 tax them. witt
the recognized adage that "all govern
mcnts derive their just powers from th'
consent Of the governed leads to IN
conclusion that those women at least
who pay taxes should have voice II
lhA election Of persons who enact th'
laws concerning public revenues,
Tho Review touches upon anothc
point, in this wise; To-day we are sat
isned that the intellectual equipment o
he average American woman IS quit
equal 20 that OF the medal man" Tina
there are many women who are superl
or IN intellect. in education and IN men
tai powers to some mep win not be dis
puted. So that II the right OF suftrag
Is based upon the power TO exercls
II Intelligently, many men would /
,lsfranchised TO make way for capabl,
Intelligent women.
The Review says further; Moral!
II is admitted she Is his superior an
therein lies the basis Of our convictio
that as matter, not Of right. but
policy, she should be taken into III
political partnership However. III
question Of morality has not usual
Suffered into tho qualifications legal
provided for voting and oFice-holdln
Il moral test were applied, It Is yer
probable that a vast number OF ma
,itizens would be barred, nor only frol
holding office, but from voting at II
.--,'s