New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-14

siCr 20 the cause. as the women suf-
froeists speak Of it.
Question of Restriction.
There was ono subject that YOU did
Tot touch upon" said his interviewer
That was the question OF The restric-
ton Of suffrage. There are many who
will vote against the proposed amend.
rent because they hold with Alexander
Hamilton that suffrage should be re
strictcd. that 10 is TOO general and too
extensive now, and that 20 give women
the vote would be TO increase the num-
Der OF those they believe are no. en-
titled 20 the vote"
"Tho restriction of suffrage is
ulusory." replied Mr.. johnson. "That
question was closed when the negroes
we're enfrauchised. If il were proposed
20 restrict suffrage. men unaccus,omed
90 voting, who have not voted in wears.
would rally with unanimity TO oppose
it. do not believe il is desirable.
But II ever there shall be a restric-
ton Of suffrage II must be after the
abolition OF the line of sex Then. If
necessary. 10 can be along lines which
will be consistent and for reasons
which viii apply 10 women as we'll as
10 men.
"But don't believe in the restriction
Of tho suffrage, and while | do not 20
10 the length OF Whittier in his poem
The Poor Voter on Election Day. in
which he makes his voter say, King Of
men am L. yet ! do believe that the
suffrage heghtens the self-respect Of
even the most ignorant and that it
carries with il a potentiality Of good
citizenship, particularly in a country
in which the progress from poverty and
ignorance 10 comfort and intelligence
is so rapid as in America. In short, it
seems 70 me that the judgment of the
mass. including even the ignorant and
vicious. is likely to be better than that
of any section. II not. we must 20
back to aristocracy, plutocracy or some
other form Of exclusive government.
Suffrage Enhances Self-Respect.
This brings me directly to a strong
argument for equal suffrage, namely,
that il will largely enhance the self
respect Of women as factors in the well
being OF the country. When one is
asked what the suffrage has accom-
plished in the West ! think this may
be cited as a general result-at least
this is in accord with my information.
"The judgments Of our people," con-
tinued Mr.. Johnson. "on major ques-
tons. such as slavery, the gold
standard and the tariff. are in the
last analysis right What is needed
IL 20 stimulate the imagination and
the conscience Of the electorate so that
they will become operative upon what
we are accustomed TO consider as
minor questions. but which are Of the
essence OF good government from day
10 day. Il is here that I believe the
influence Of women will be of very
great service When they have their
own responsibility they will more
keenly perceive their own duties. and
be more eXacting of men in the per-
Torrance Of theirs.
when we reflect that only 5 per
cent Of the criminals of the country
are females, this higher standard of
observance Of law may be accepted as
more than an Offset 10 the inexperience
which al first women will bring to the
exercise of the ballot When we reflect
upon the small consideration that most
male voters give to their duty and low
grounds upon which even intelligent
men base their political action, am
sure there is nothing TO fear from an
excess Of ideality from the other sex.
For Best Interest OF the State.
Mr.. johnson was told that anti-suf
fragists might declare that this low
of women criminals was
lue TO their participation in public !
affairs.
That would be only an assumption
n their part We need not theorize to
what the credit belongs for this
extraordinary margin between the
crimes of the two sexes, but that il
does exist is certainly an argument
against the charge that only vicious
women will vote-an argument which
has been made ridiculous, ! believe, IN
all the suffrage states. My advocacy
cf equal suffrage is not because II is,
in my judgment, natural right, or