Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1914-05-15
WHY SENATOR PITT.
MAN OPPOSES THE
BRlSTOW AMENDMENT

DnlJIuH HlHLNuWlWI
We have received the following
letter from Senator Pittman that
he is sending out in reply to var
ious letters and petitions asking
him TO support the Bristow amend
ment TO the Constitution compelling
the States to grant equal suffrage
to women:
United States Senate
May ID, 1914.
Dear Madam:
1t is very probable that you have
not had an opportunity to read my
remarks made in the United States
Senate upon the resolution provid-
ing for a constitutional amendment
prescribing equal suffrage. AS the
women of Nesada will be voters at
the next Presidential election | am
very anxious that they should 'un-
derstand these questions and should
sympathize with me in the position
| have taken.
The West for years has been d.
criminated against by the national
government, and its natural re-
sources have been locked up for the
benefit Of the national government,
or at least at the expense of our
States. the preservation of States
Rights is just as essential to the
West as it cver was 10 the South.
While we have 4 fair representation
in the United States Senate by
reason Of having as many senator's
from the western States as many
other states. we arc greatly in a
minority in the House of Repre-
sentativcs. Any legislation for the
west is generally opposed by the
Representatives from the South and
East, who control Congress. Un-
less we insist upon protecting the
rights Of the States in certain do
mains of Legislation and upon a
larger control of the property
within the borders Of the States and
OF the legislation directly affecting
conditions in the State, We shall
ind ourselves at the mercy of Mem
bcrs of Congress who are ignorant
of our condition and have no SYM
pathy with our views of our well
fare.
We claim that the United States
Government has no right to legis-
late with regard 20 the internal
affairs in our State. For instance,
we deny the right Of the United
States Government to prohibit us
from segrcgating the japanese and
Chinese from white children in
the public schools. We deny the
right of the United States Govern
ment to prohibit us from prevent
ing japanese and Chinese acquiring
title to our property. II we admit
the right of the United States to
pass a law compelling us to admit
certain classes to vote, We admit
that we are wrong with regard to
our other contentious, and thereby
place it in the power of the United
States Government, by establishing
such q precedent, to admit the Jan
and the Chinamnn to vote, to hold
property, to enter our public
schools and have every other social
and political equality with US.
believe that the establishment of
such a precedent would be too
dangerous to u state. | there
fore cannot take part in establish
ing such a precedent.
| trust that you will think this
matter over and realize the effect
OF the step o are nov taking.
The Shafroth amendment will nc
complish nearly the same thing
without establishing the dangerous
precedent that | have referred to
! intend to support the Shafroth
amendment. trust that you will
not sacrifice these privileges and
his protection in your zeal in be-
half of equal suffrage in other
states.
Very truly yours.
Key Pittman,