The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1919-04-05
What Florida SOlOns Intend to Do
About Equal Suffrage

w A0S OAAuo OOAOAAS 1hLcnQ ID DOJ
About Equal Suffrage
Representative d. Stuart ellis. De-
Funiak Springs: ST favor granting
full suffrage to the women. The argu-
ment that the home is woman's sphere
is based upon a wornout tradition and
states rights is the argument of the
politician who is not sure of the pop
ularity of the movement. This was
clearly demonstrated in the inconsis-
tent attitude assumed by some Unit
ed States senators in the matter of
the federal prohibition resolution and
their attitude upon the Susan B. An
thony resolution"
Representative Edgar w. Wa
bright, Jacksonville: During the
special session of the legislature it
was my privilege to lead the fight in
the house for woman suffrage. This
is question which will not down. A
government composed of men only is
but a half government. / favor do
ing all that we can to secure the
adoption and ratification of the Susan
L. Anthony amendment to our fed
CLo1 L 1dNOI LIAC
ment of our primary law so that the
women may participate in our next
primary. / favor the amendment of
our state constitution permitting
women to vote in this state"
Representative F. o. Miller, Jack
sonville: Equal franchise is inevi-
table,"
Representative H. S. Glazier, Brad
entown: "I will submit a proposed
amendment to article 6 of our consti-
tuition, and let the people of the state
say whether or not the women shall
have equal suffrage with the men,"
Representative ]. Ed Stokes, Pan
anna City: "On the subject of woman
suffrage l will favor submitting an
amendment to the constitution and
let the people say whether or not
the women of this fair state shall
vote. Personally / am heartily in
favor of full suffrage for women and
have no patience whatever with the
argument of states rights as is adj
vanced by some. If the women of the
country are qualified to take the place
OF the men in all walks of life, as has
been clearly demonstrated in the re-
cent past, then / say let them have
equal franchise of the men and vote
if they desire. / see no reason what
ever for the disfranchisement of the
woman. She bears her part of the
taxation without representation"
Representative J. L. billiard, Win
ter Garden: "Then last but not least,
hope the legislature of 1919 at its
approaching regular session will pro-
pose an amendment extending full
franchise to the women of Florida, on
the same terms as men to be voted on
as prescribed by the constitution of
the state at the following general
election"
Senator James E. Calkins, Fernan-
dina: "The living issue of equal suf-
frage will find its way upon the leg
islative taps in some form. Equal
suffrage, like Banquo's ghost, will
not down. 1t will haunt the fears of
its enemies until woman stands the
equal of man in the voting booth. All
this argument against equal suffrage
is sophistry. The average woman. is
at least equal in intelligence and
character to the average man, and
this being conceded as a premise, the
logical conclusion follows that she is
as Justly entitled to the ballot as man
if she desires it. 1t is unfair for men
to hold the women of the country re-
sponsible for the acts of the White
House pickets' or the weaknesses of
the only woman congressman. The in
f1uence of women at the polls would
lessen the abominable load of politi-
cal graft and squeeze some of the
poison gas out of the political at
mosphere. If the women of the coun-
try desire to assume share of the
responsibilities of government, why
deny them?"
Senator W. A. Russell, Palatka: at
is like that a resolution submitting to
the voters an amendment to the con-
stitution granting women the suf-
frage, will be introduced. / will vote
for such an amendment. In the mat
ter of present day policies, am
disciple of Woodrow Wilson. He be-
lieves that the Congress should sub
nit such an amendment TO the states.
/ realize that such is not, or has not,
been the method But it is the present
day demand. To my mind this is
opportunity knocking at the door of
the democratic party. Unless we
open, the republican Congress will.
And if we do not open it viii not be