The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-04-02
Government Can Exist Only by the
Consent Of the Governed.

To the Editor OF The Times
Those opposed 10 equal suffrage are
claiming that most OF the women do
not want the right 10 vote. Now, |
submit that women already possess
the right 10 vote. so. the fact that
so percent OF the women don't want
the vote" even II II were true. IS en-
| tirely immaterial.
! the basic principle OF republican
government IL this: that government
can exist only by the consent or the
governed II is also an axiom, thar
/ there should be no taxation without
representation The United States Is
Iraiieri n republic Then why does II
/ happen that fully half the people have
no voice IN conducting the government
and millions OF the people are SUD
iected 70 taxation without being allow
cd representation? BY what right
does a part of the American people
deny 10 another part an equal particl-
nation in the government"
/ II is true that there are certain per-
sons who. for sufficient reasons. are
denied the privilege OF voting These
nersons NAV be divided into two
classes: Cn Those who have COM
mitted some crime against the state
and as part of the punishment there
for, are restrained from voting: ana
(2l those who are mentally incapable
Of voting inteligently. such as idiots
and insane persons But, women, VINO
form the majority OF those who are
not allowed 10 vote, cannot Logically
be placed in either OF these classes
1t is plain that they do not belong In
the first division. AS class they
have never committed any crime
against the state. In fact In this re-
spect they have better reputation
than have the men. Al first thought.
one might conclude that the women
should be placed in the second class.
but a little further thought will show
that they cannot be so placed. why?
Because those persons who are con-
sidered mentally deficient are not
held responsible for their acts. II
they commit crimes, they are not
punished. II they make contracts. they
are not bound by them. But this IL
not true OF women. Therefore, we
are forced to the conclusion that II Is
for neither OF these reasons. in fact,
for no reason at ALL that women are
restrained from exercising their right
TO vote. except that for some time
they did not assert their right.
And This is selfevident truth !;
that women have just as much right
10 vote as have the men, but that the
men have passed laws 10 prevent wo-
men from exercising that right II is
also evident that such laws are In
violation OF the fundamental princi-
pies upon which republican govern
ments are formed And the claim
that most OF the women don't want
TO vote is immaterial. Because John
Brown does not want to vote Is no
reason why John Smith should not
vote II he wants TO. IF only one wo-
man In the United States wants to
vote, no other person or body OF per.
sons has a right 10 prevent her. IL
women are not allowed 10 vote they
cannot, as a matter OF right. be com
PEELED or expected to obey the laws
or TO pay taxes.
Therefore, II we expect the women
J to obey the laws We must allow them
to help make the laws. AS matter
! Of common justice and common sense
we must repeal those unequal and un
republican laws, so Inconsistent with
American ideals. by which so many OF
the American people are prevented
from exercising their inalienable right
TO vote
II. BELL,
539 Greenwood-ave.
ApriI / 1913