Arizona republican., 1910-05-10
HE question of female suffrage, like the ghost of Banquo. will
 not dnun Ia rnrne If ie nni,-

VIE QucslfOn or 1clndic sulITdSc,
 like the ghost of Banquo. will
 not down To some. 1t is only
 a shade from the neither world while, to others, 1t IS as one of the white-robed celestial beings who ap- peared to Peter, James and John on the mountain top.
 Turning from the supernatural to the real. 1t is now living, practical eues- tion It has passed beyond the days of ridicule, and we hear no more of its advocates as short-haired women and long-haired men. It is being considered by thoughtful men and women, ami mated by the desire of doing that which shall De for the best interests of all.
 Speaking abstractly, it IS difficult to see how the capacity to vote, and to vote wisely. depends on the mere matter of sex, or that that fact alone decides for CT against female suffrage. Yet not always does abstract right determine the question of wisdom or availability. A scheme may seem logically correct and perfect, and yet upon trial prove fail rre. John Locke drafted form of government for one Of the Southern colonies. which, on the face of 1t, ap- peared to be wise and just, yet 1t failed of success The consent of the gov erned. affirmed m the Declaration of h. dependence, is not always of immediate application By the late amendments to the national constitution, the emancipated slaves were made citizens and gwen the right of suffrage, yet 1t has always been q question whether the latter grant was then the part Of wisdom for them or the nation The inhabitants of the Philip pine Islands were brought under our control Full suffrage was not granted to them, and the matter IS still one for fair discussion whether now or, If not now, how soon. it should be granted. Indeed, looking at other nations, we find that in many of them the people are not yet capable Of self-government. They have not the respect for legal proceedings, the self-restraint which IS necessary to make safe and efficient gov ernment of and by the people. So it is a practical question whether the grant ing to-day of full female suffrage will ifrre to the benefit of the sex or the nation. It has been granted in four States, and thoughtful men are watch their political life.
 
 but seriously, and to be seriously con sidered One grows out of the fact that, Tn many States, the franchise has been srsnted to women in respect only to educational matters. We naturally think that nothing would be of more vital importance to them than that which affect. their children, and that they would everywhere take part in educa- tienal questions and show their inter est by participation in the ballot; yet it is true that they have not responded as fully as was expected Thus, while there were about 7oo.ooo women authorized to vote Tn Massachusetts on school ques- tions, the number actually voting fell from r8,4s3 in Ioo6 to I3.6Io in 1907. In eone hundred and eighty-nine towns, where J,6o8 women were registered, not a single woman voted In Cleveland, Ohio. the number of registered voters diminished from 6,68I in 1904 to 3,I7o in 1907 They seem to have thought the partial ballot not worthy of their at tention, and the argument is that ii educational interests do not appeal to them sufficiently to bring out their at tendance at the polls, they will also fail If the full franchise is granted
 Many of our English sisters are st-iv- ing to secure the ballot, but the means which, according to the papers, they take would not be tolerated here. and. to say the least, are offensive. We want no fighting Amszons" no gathering of women to break up political meeting,