Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-02-11
GIVE VOTE
To WOMEN
AMENDMENT TO THIS EFFECT
MAY BE PASSED--THE MAT
TER WILL COME Up IN THE
LEGISI.ATURE AT SESSION
NEXT THURSDAY.

charleston, w Va, Feb. IL
Next to the prohibition amendment
the propcsed amendment TO the con-
stitution, allowing woman suffrage.
is expected TO prove one of the most
interesting topics the house OF dele
gates will have TO deal with at this
session. The resolution proposing
the amendment TO the constitution
was offered in the house some days
ago by DR.. Mitchell. the Writ dele
gate, an ardent advocate of the
rights of women to vote. BY unani,
nous consent the resolution was
made special order OF business for
Thursday, the 18TH. and on that date
1t will come before the house for
discussion
1t has been arranged that on next
"Wednesday night, Rev Anna H.
Shaw, of national reputation, as n
platform speaker. will accompany n
delegation of Wheeling ladies TO
Charleston, and on that night, in the
chamber of the house OF delegates,
deliver an address to the members
Of the Legislature and the general
public.
The advocates OF wCman suffrage.
both in the house and senate, are go-
Ing to put up a hard fight at this
session. They think the legislature
rs in a mood TO amend the constifu-
tion. comforting upon the women OF
West Virginia this privilege, and the
women advocates have enlisted the
aid of several representatives. Lit
arature, dealing with the rights Of
women to vote, have been widely
scattered by the friends of the meas
nrc among the representatives IN
both lfouses.
Alice Stone Blackwell assigns the
following reasons why women should
be allowed to vote:
!. Pecausc II is fair and right
that those who must obey The laws
should have a voice in making them
and that those who must pay the tax
es should have a vote as TO the size
of the tax and the way it should be
spent
2. Because the moral education
al and humane legislation would be
got more easily.
3. Because laws unjust TO WON
on would b. amended moro quickly.
4. Because Legislation for the pro-
lection Of children would be secured
more easily.
.. Because II is the quletest. cas-
lest, most dignifcd and least con
picuous way OF influencing public
affairs. II takes much less expendl-
iurc of time, labor and personal pres
"nce TO go mp TO The ballot box. drop
In slip Of paper and come away.
man to persuade a multitude Of mis-
ccllancous voters to vote right.
6. Because it would make women
more brOad-minded. Professor Ed
ward II. Griggs says: "Tbc ballot Il
an educator, and women viii become
more practical and more wise in us
ing st."
T. Because woman's ballot would
make 81 harder for VIGOROUSLY bad
candidates TO be nominated or elect
od In the equal suffrage states
both parties have TO put up men of
respectable character or lose tl,
wJmans vote.
S. Because experience has proven
it to be- good Women have for ycars
been voting literally by hundreds OF
thousands. in England. Scotland. ire
| land Australia. New Zealand. cana
da, Wyoming, Colorado. Kansas
Utah and idaho In aU of tbasa
places put together. The opponents g
have not yct found u doz.n respect
able men who assert over their own
names and addresses chat Che rs.u.
have been bad while scores of prom
Inrut men and women testify rat
10 h1a done .rod An ouu.. - farI
s worth a ton OF theory.