The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-02-01
LIQUOR INTERESTS BEHIND
DEFEAT OF WOMEN


bers of the house began putting at
cigars and pipes, which are banned
during the regular session. After the
first address, the chairman asked the
men to stop smoking out of courtesy
TO the women guests, and most OF
them did SO.
REP. CHARLES FLOWERS, OF
DETROIT. CHAIRMAN OF THE
COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTIONAL
REVISION AND AMENDMENTS
OPENED THE DEBATE, SPEAKING
AS FLOWS:
| Mr.. Chairman: 1t was my pleasure
rwo years ago to urge upon the mem
bers OF this house an amendment &C
1 the labor law. fixing the hours OF wo-
mans labor, which amendment pro-
nloised the employment OF women and
week and more than 10 hours I'm any
one day When the argument of that
question was before the committee on
labor. 1 was asked by certain repre-
| sentatives OF the Employers associa-
ton, whom I represented In making
so radical a demand, and my reply
was that was here be; ring with ms
silent commission from 100000 work
ing women or Michigan who had not
the right to vote and who did not be-
long TO labor unions.
Il PROVISION law upon mat SUD-
ject had been reported from the COM
mittee on labor at 60 hours per week.
and permitted the employment of wo-
men and children for IL hours day.
1 was very much gratified at that time
10 see this house. without a dissenting
vote. adopt the amendment that / had
proposed, and thus place upon the sta
tute books OF the great state OF MiChi-
Gent Legislation that ut that time had
been adopted by any of the states
Since the passage OF that law the En-
ployers' association Of this state made
an attack upon IL. claiming that II was
not possible for women to earn suf-
| fcient TO keep their bodies and souls
together. unless they were permitted
to work a greater number OF hours
contrary TO the constitution OF tht
United States, In that IL was an In
fringement OF the right of contract
but the supreme court of this state
and that the protection Of the healf
OF women was one OF he first dutie,
4 OF the state.
desire TO say that l arr proud TO agar
| stand I'm this hall for the purpose o.
urging the adoption of this PROPOSED
amendment TO the constitution grant
| Ing to women absolute equal sunra &c
thus placing them upon an equal foot
ing with men and making them a par
/ OF the great body polite.
Il n
| upon women the right OF sufrerase 4
they happen to be fortunate enough
| to own property. thus placing the dol
| lar. where unfortunately too man!
| proposition TO clothe women with al
the rights to which they are entitled
| as part OF the great household of
great sovereign state.
The motion that In now before US
Mr. Chairman. does not involve tn
/ question Of granting by US. the PEG
/ pies representatives. this right TO wo
ton OF whether we are willing tina
the poole themselves shall have tn
opportunity. for the first time In tn
| history OF this state. OF saying wheth
er or no women shall vote, and undo
the strict rules OF parliamentary con
Instruction, the only question To which
should address myself. Is this ques
ton. shall we, a. the, TIE peoples no, repre- So
| this subject But with your permits
sion, shall go further than that an
speak directly to the greater question
| and give my reasons Tor supportini
the proposed amendment.
cannot, OF course. In the limite'
time that In allowed I ONE, give all tn
reasons for my belief. IL should un
dertake to do so I would exhaust IN.
strength and tax your patience. for Il
my opinion there arc thousand rea
sons why the right of SUFFRAGE shoul'
why Il should be withheld. For 8
| years / have been In favor OF thi
movement and during that tine hav
| heard a few stock arguments agains
Il t. none OF which should be deeme
worthy OF consideration by anyon
II claiming TO be controlled by reason o
guided by intelligence; and IL durinl
II this discussion. III discussion IL hal
upon the question, any reasons ar
urged against the adoption OF tn
amendment I shall claim the right q
answer them: but ~ IL not my purpos
/ row 10 forestali discussion and stat
the grounds Of the opposition. only q
4 FAR as II may be necessary for men Z
| emphasize the reasons which presen
themselves to my mind In favor OF tn
measure.
m has been said in my hearing tina
there has been no demand by the wo
/, men Of the state for this amendment
NV renly to that H. that during tn
eessIons OF the constitutional conven
ton I'm 1907. petitions for equal suffer
aye for prohibition. for direct legisla
\ ton, and for the Initiative AID refer
cndum. were sent 10 the convention
and the petitions for equal suffrag
contained more, names thai all tn
II others combined. As a matter Of fac
: IN those PETITIONS more than 90
women were represented
The subject OF the absolute edualit,
OF men and women before the law ha
been a subject of thought by me from
i nv youth In the country where I wa
I 49, hwn af fha naIa W "a