Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1911-06-08
An INSULT TO EVERY MOTHER
CONTINUED from page one-)

officials, and decision IN local political
matters. and providing that where they
(women) can meet the requirements
that we have to meet-the tests of
education and patriotism-that they
shall be accorded the rights of munIcl-
pal suffrage for which this bill pro
vides. Your committee. gentlemen. saf-
ter full and careful hearing, votea1
unanimously to report this bill favor
ably
To Make Women Do Military Duty.
At this point representative Hutch
inson of Essex offered an amendment
to the bill Is reported, the amendment
providing that all women becoming
voters under the act be subject to milf
tary service the same as men between
the ages of Is and As. nd in case of
war, invasion Or riot. that they be
liable for draft as are men.
piscourtesy Shown Sherman.
Representative Sherman of West
Hartford was the first speaker heard
is an important question he said, "and
should be treated seriously-not frlvo-
lousy. This matter of woman's suf-
frage is like Banquos ghost-it Will
continue to intrude itself: it will not
down." Mr.. Sherman was reading
list of countries in which women have
been granted suffrage rights when
Speaker Scott was obliged to call
sharply for order to cause members TO
cease banging the lids of their desks
in an attempt to cut Mr.. Sherman
short.
Only Minority Want Suffrage.
Representative Chandler of Rocky
Hill followed Mr.. Sherman. This is
question that cannot be laughed down.
said Mr. Chandler land it must be
given serious consideration. l presume
We thought that this bill was one of
L L I'll Ell 1, set
came in here, but. much to the sur
prise of the whole state the senate
passed the measure and we now find
the house confronted with the disposal
of it Now if the women are to stand
beside US in public administration they
must be bound by the same considera-
tons as are binding upon US. A mi
nority are asking us to force right
duty and an obligation upon ma
jority of the women that does not want
such responsibility.
10 Out OF 20 Don't Want 1t.
"Of the women of Connecticut, 10 out
of 20 do not ask and do not want this
privil ege-are opposed to it, in fact.
I know of but one woman in the town
of Rocky Hill that wants the right to
vote and. incidentally it may be added
that this one is the only woman in
town who is a socialist Asking us 20
pass this bill is asking us to violate the
fundamental principles of majority
rule. This is a question TO be consiI-
cred en- n1asse. not for the individual or
for groups. III der such a bill there
might not be for from three to five
years any disturbance of the statu
QUO in this state. but sooner or later
problem will present itself here
wherein women of classes that I need
not mention here will register IS voters
and when that time comes every good
woman in this city of Hartford will be
6aIi n r0giSfaP nrOfeCf IFS fair
name, whether she desires to partici-
pate in politics or not.
Forces an Obligation on Women.
Let us look this proposition squarely
in the face In the long run it is the
entering wedge for universal woman
suffrage. 1t forces on women who do
not wish to vote an obligation which
they do not ask. When a ma jority o.
women do wish to vote I will sup
port a measure Giving them the right
Through Mr. Chambers address wers
scattered suggestions that the present
woman's suffrage movement is allied
with socialism.
An Insult to Every Mother.
Representative Bingham of Nauga-
! tuck was heard at length in favor of
| the bill. Referring to the amendment
| introduced by Mr. Hutchinson he said
| that such amendments reflected no
credit on the men that draw them and
are an insult 10 every mother, WAS
! and sister in the state. The amend
! NJ ant was later killed. was another
| offered by Representative Meltzer> of
| Bridgeport. his providing. in case the
| bill should pass. for referendum of
| the matter to the women of the state
/ a a special election to be held in ev-
cry town in the state in October of the
| present rear. and requiring that a ma
| joritv of the women qualified to vote
should register in favor of municipal
suffrage before it could become a law.
A CowsrdIy Amendment.
Representative Peck of Redding, who
| was also heard at length in favor OF
I the bill as reported. characterized this
as a cowardly amendment intended to
delay action and ultimately defeat the
m e3sure. The word "cOWardlN'
| aroused Mr.. Meltzer's ire but what he
| would have said remained unsaid. as 2
| motion for the previous question
| abruptly cut off debate and impend'-
/ fireworks. The amendment was kille
Women Not Ready for Ballot.
| Representative Belden of Newingtor
| spoke briefly against the bill saying
he believed the women Of the state
| are not yet ready for the ballot. He
| would favor the bill if the Tere.
Previous Question Moved.
Representative Ensign of Simsburl
| moved the previous question and there
was no objection from any quarter
The house was ready to vote.
Final Plea for Bill
Chairman Range, in accordance witt