New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-03-28
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIO

and Journeymen and agents and dependents which
will bear down at the polls an equal number Of
farmers of small estates In the vicinity who can
not safely unite for their common defence" The
debate continued for three days and certain prop
erty qualifications were retained. They were
abroga;ed however. except to negro voters.
through an amendment to the Constitution adopt
ed in 1926.
The growth of such cities New York through
immigration is reflected in the qualifications OF
voters prescribed by the Constitutional Conven-
ton Of 1916 Every white male eitizen twenty
one years OF age who had been citizen ten days,
resident Of the state for year Of the county
for fouy months and in given election district
th'rty DAYS could vote.
H. f,l- four women called meeting 20 b.
held in Seneca Falls, to organize woman SUI
frage movement 1t was largely attended As
men insisted on being present, it was concluded
that they could make themselves useful and they
were permitted 70 stay "and take the laboring oar
through the convention" A Declaration OF Sen
timents." formed on the model of the Declaration
of Independence, was prepared with the aid o.
Several well disposed men," and promu gated Il
contained eighteen grievances, practically every
one of which, with the exception Of the lack OF
the ballot. has since been remeded
petition was presented in 1855 by citizens
of Rochester asking for the submission. Of an
amendment extending the suffrage 10 women
Again, ip} 1859, ii was sought to strike out from
the Constitution the word male" in the SUI
frage section and change the word men" TO
"persons" The question was raised In the Con-
stitutonal Convention Of 1867, and II was argued
for and against by such George William
Curtis and Horace Greeley the latter opposing
the proposition that 1t be decided by the women
of the state through ballot because II com
PEELED women to vote in order 10 avoid voting"
The whole idea considered so revolutionary
in its effect upon the distribution OF duties and
functions between the sexes" that the proposition
was defeated by vote Of to 1873 The highest
number of votes secured by the on any
proposition was "a
Turning aside from the historical phase Of the
subject there are some very practical questions
involved. For instance: How shall we get at the
question in revising the Constitution? Shall we
simply strike out the word male? This Is sim
ple step In appearance It would raise immediately
a very large question To do that would open the
door to the strongest argument that can be
brought against woman suffrage
Under our present laws the wife OF an allen
who has himself become citizen through I'VE
wears residence in this country Is also citizen.
She is citizen not only from the hour che sets
foot upon American SOIL but from the moment
In which he received his papers. She may never
have seen the red brick building at Ellis Island
or any other immigration station OF the United
States. Indeed, she may never have left her
native shores and be unable 20 speak q single
word Of English.
Those who are anxious 10 make this argument
effective in order to exclude woman suffrage from
New York State might be glad TO have the pro-
posal to eliminate the word male" from the con-
stituton reach the floor Of the convention. Under
our present laws the only limitation which could
be placed upon the vote Of wife Of foreign
born citizen, assuming that woman suffrage be-
comes fact, is the requirement Of years resi-
dence within the state.
1t will be necessary, therefore, 20 surround the
votes OF foreign born women with the same limi-
tation as that imposed upon foreign born men.
Women should have resided in the United States
for FIVE years and in the state for one year before
being permitted TO vote. This puts the alien
woman on the same basis as the alien man. No
alien could object TO this.
Women can secure the privilege OF voting for
Presidential electors In New York State, just as
they have done in Illinois, without special con-
stitutonal authorization, for the federal constitu-
ton DEGREES that the legislature Of q state shall
decide who are eligible TO participate In such an
election.
The members OF tho convention, being polti-
clans and statesmen as well as gentlemen, will
probably see the advantage OF giving the women
the vote, for women hold the balance OF
power in Presidential elections. States in which
they have the ballot cast greater vote than
Wilson's plurality over Roosevelt
County Government on page ID