White Pine news weekly mining review. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1910-1920, 1914-07-19
AS OPPOSED TO
SUFFRAGE
NEVADA ASSOCIATION OF WON
EN- OPPOSED TO BALLOT AID
DRESS ARGUMENTS IN A LET
TER TO PRESIDENT WILSON.

The following is a copy Of a COM
munication, addressed to the presi-
dent. the governor of Nevada and the
senators and representatives in con-
gress from Nevada:
Reno, Nevada, July 3, 1914.
The President. Washington, d. G.
Sir.
At a meeting of the Nevada As
ISOLATION of Women Opposed to
Equal Suffrage. the state chairman
was directed TO communicate to the
president. the governor, the senators
and representative from Nevada their
protest against the proposed extern
sion of the franchise to ONE by
amendment to the federal constitu-
tion. The reasons prompting this
protest are:
We believe the strength of the
nation lies in the home and the
family. We find the leaders in every
element of society opposed to these
institutions urging women into poll
tics. We find these leaders in
recognized positions of conspicuous
leadership in the movement for
Equal Suffrage. If their reasoning
be sound their success means to us
the weakening, il not the downfall of
the home. the family and the nation.
regardless of the views of many good
women supporting the movement.
In Colorado. the only state where
time, population and general condi-
lions have afforded a test, We find.
after twenty years, a disappointment
for every promise. In lieu of govern
ment We find anarchy; in lieu of or
der. chaos: in lieu of home rule.
federal control; in lieu of economy
In government the highest per capita
tax rate of ant state: We find. with
but two exceptions. its capital and
principal city with the highest per
capita expense of those in its class;
In lieu of improved domestic con-
ditions We find but two states in as
with a higher divorce rate: We find
the social evil aggravated, not
abated.
Few women pay taxes. The pro-
posed amendment would multiply
the proportion of non ~tax-paying
voters and practically double the
number of those who could vote
away the income and further tax the
women already taxed. without them
selves sharing the burden.
In nine states women now have
the full franchise. If the experience
of Colorado is TO be the experience of
the other eight states. it will be and
should be rejected by those states
which examine first and approve
a~fterward. and no state or group ol
states should force this experiment
upon another. II the claims In its
behalf be confirmed by experience its
adoption by general consent will fol-
low. welcomed by the ONE OF Ne
vada as of other states.
The only preferential or test vote
in any state by which the women
could express their W wish was ia
Massachusetts, In 1895, where 22,-
2o4 out of an estimated total of $780,
900. or | In 3S, expressed a desire
for the franchise. Two other states
already had equal suffrage by the
votes of men.
We are informed that congress has
been petitioned lin the name of the
women of Nevada and that the
president has been urged. to advo-
cate an extension of the franchise by
amendment of the federal constitu
tion, Notwithstanding the fact that
the last three and most representa-
tive and populous states voting on
the question. Ohio. Wisconsin and
Michigan, have recorded their vote
against il by majorities aDproxi-
mating 0 .00o each.
We are advised that after a most
strenuous and expensive campaign
covering many months these petit
Itions. assuming to voice The senti-
ments of the womanhood of Nevada,
bore the signatures OF more than
500 women" There are more than
1000 white women in Nevada over
the age of 81 years. Less than | in
"a have petitioned congress and we
deny the right of these 500 women
to speak for the 1900 or the right
OF | in "a to speak. without consent,
tor the other 80 on a subject sc
vitality affecting the state, the famil,
and the home.
We deny that either the right Of
franchise or the equality of fran.
chise is an inherent right or that any
~~.or,n,aot hae 40 fraafod IL Few