The Wahpeton times., 1917-02-22
SUFFRAGE GRANTED
BY 18TH ASSEMBLY
pRESlDEN1lAL AND MUNICIPAL
RIGHTS ARE NOW ENACTED
INTO LAW.
FULL FRANCHISE IN SIGHT
10th Houses Nearly Unanimous is.
Support Of These Bilis-Many
Advantages to Women Of
the State,

Senate Bill No. IL. giving to the
women Of North Dakota limited suf-
trage is the most important legisla.
lion ever secured in the interests Of
The women of the state. 1t confers suf-
frage to the fullest extent permitted
tuition. Senate Bill No. 13 amends the
constitution by striking out the word
male" and gives the women full suf-
srase on equal terms with men. 1t
must. however. pass the 1919 session
of the legislature and then he ratified
by the voters in the fall of 1920 and
requires only Il majority of the votes
cast on the question.
Senate Bill No. ~ goes into effect
woman in the state who is of the age
IF twenty-one and has lived in the
state one year and in the county six
months and in the precinct ninety
days, may have voice in the govern
ment Of the township. village or city
in which she lives.
Women in the rural districts will
have the pleasure Of accompanying
their husbands, sons and brothers to
and participating in the business
transacted. The annual town meeting
Is held the first Tuesday in March. at
which time officers are elected. rules
and regulations made for the business
of the town and the town tax levied.
Women may vote for the following
township officers: Clerk. assessor.
constables.
In the incorporated villages women
will vote for trustees. clerk. assessor.
treasurer and marshal.
In cities governed by mayor and
council. women will vote for alder
men, mayor and treasurer. The other
ofticcrs--except police magistrate and
,ity Justice, are appointed by the coun-
I'll. The appointive officers are audi
tor. city attorney. city assessor. health
officer and heads OF departmcnts-po-
lice. fire, water. health and streets. In
cities under the commission form of
government, women will vote for the
1--we commissioners: one Of whom will
he elected prcsidcn: Of the board Of
commissioners The others will he in
charge OF the following departments:
police and fire: street and public inn
prOvemrntS: water works and sewer
age: finance and revenue.
In tho county. women NAV vote for
county surveyors and constables They
| may also vote on all questions or prop
! oStions submitted to the township
village. city or county. This includes
questions of taxes, bonds franchises
| etc. etc.
In addition to all this. last but not
least. women may vote for presidcn,
Of the United States. This doubles the
presidential voting population Of
North Dakota and greatly increases
the political Importance of this state
The OhjcctOrs to woman suffrage
have argued that the average woman
will not use the ballot. The women of
the suffrage states have proved that
the average woman is rs vitality inter-
eStcd in governmental house keepin.
rs is the average man.
We believe the women OF North Da
kota will meet this challenge by TAX
ing up the study OF North Dakota
civics in Votes for Women leagues
Woman's Christian Temperance un-
ions. Improvement leagues and Study
T, clubs to prepare themselves for 81 high
| order OF intelligent citizenship. and
that they will use to the fullest extent
the franchise conferred upon them
| ELIZABETH P ANDERSON