The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1907-10-03

AN b. ANTHONY.
into the union, in 1890, with this pro.
vision in its constitution.
Colorado IN 1898 submitted to the
voters the question of full enfranchise.
ment, and it was carried by a major
ity of 6.237.
In the territory of Utah the women
voted on all matters from 1870 to 1887,
when they were arbitrarily disfran-
chised by act of congress. In 1895 full
suffrage. was incorporated in the con-
stitution which was submitted to male
voters only and received a large ma
jority. Utah therefore was admitted
as state in January, 1896, with won.
en- fully enfranchised.
In Idaho, at the general election of
1896, constitutional amendment CIV
ing women full suffrage was submit.
ted to the voters. 1t was indorsed
by all four Of the political parties and
carried by a majority of 1884.
In Kansas IN 1887 the legislature
passed bill by vote of Is to 10 in
the senate, and 80 to 81 in the house,
comforting the municipal franchise
upon the women of the state.
In Michigan in 1893 the legislature
by large majority gave municipal
suffrage to women, but the law was
declared unconstitutional by the ST.
preme court.
In Montana in 1889 women property
owners were granted a vote on all
questions submitted to taxpayers
This same right was Incorporated in
the new constitution of Louisiana in
1898. Women can exercise this priv.
ilege also in seven third-class cities
in New York.
In Iowa they may vote on questions
of bonding the municipality; in Mime
sofa for library trustees; in Delaware
in four towns for commissioners; in
Mississippi on several unimportant
matters. In Arkansas they have
voice in local option.
No one who examines these stats.
tics can fail to see steady advance in
the direction of woman suffrage, with
no retrogression. In only one single
instance has the ballot been taken
away from women after it was granted
viz, in the territory of Washington.
This was done, after it's legality had
been three times declared by differ
ent legislature, through despotic and
most unjust decision OF the supreme
court, which was in direct contradic::
ton to the organic act under whic'i
the territory was organized.
The only logical conclusion must be
that the advance will continue, and
this is the more irresistible because
women themselves are developing SO
rapidly in education, business ability,
organized work. self-reliance and
knowledge of public affairs. They. are
also becoming large property holders
and taxpayers. and as such are de-
handing voice in questions directly
affecting their financial interests-a
claim which public sentiment is large.
ly inclined to grant. The continued
policy of our government has been to
extend the suffrage, until now all
classes of citizens are enfranchised,
with the one and only exception of
women. In natural sequence they
must be the next to receive the ballot.
AS has been shown above, the line is
already broken in many places, and
the movement under Roadway which
must inevitably result in making all
women-subject only to such restric-
lions as apply to men-a part of the
electoral body.
! But" the question will be asked.
"can you find any encouragement in
the defeats which the suffrage amend.
mcnt has met when it has been voted
on in the different states?" Yes, de.
cidedly.
In 1867 such an amendment received
in Kansas 800 affirmative and 1887
negative votes. In 1894 1t was again
submitted and received 95,3O2 afirma.
tive and 130.139 negative votes. a very
considerable decrease in the per
centage Of the opposition.
In Colorado in 1877 the vote stood
6.612 yeas. 14,O55 nays: defeated by
7.441. In 1898 it stood 1888 yeas, 90.
461 nays; amajority of 6,237 in favor
women were enfranchised.
In Oregon in 1884 the vote stood
1929 yeas. 2s.176 nays: opposing ma
jority. 1888. In 1900 it stood 1926
yeas, 2S,402 nays; the opposing major.
ity only 2,137.
! In 1889 the vote on suffrage
amendment in Washington was 1882
yeas. 35,913 nays: majority against.
1886. In 1898 the vote was 20,171
| yeas, 3O,497 nays; majority against re-
| duced to 1926.
South Dakota in 1890 gave 22.97o