The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1920-09-02
WOMEN WIN THE DAY
Colby Certifies 10th Amendment and
Suffragists Are Thereby
Enfranchised,
Women Eligible to Cast Ballots in
Presidential, State and Mu-
nicipal Elections.

The Susan B. Anthony amendment
granting franchise to the American
women became part Of the constitution
of the United States at a. M, Aug
ust 26. Secretary Colby's proclama-
ton of this amendment made it eff
fective Immediately. The voting
population of women is estimated at
26, 100000 in round numbers. Since
IL 100000 women had previously been
enfranchised by states, the ratifica-
ton of the amendment gives the bal
lot to the remaining 100000 women.
The women of the United States now
have the privilege of voting in all
municipal, state and presidential cleo
lions, but state qualifications will
probably cut down the number who
may vote next November to about
100000.
The registration requirements,
which will prohibit the women from
voting in some of the states, are etiec-
tive only in the larger cities in Mime
sofa. All the women in the smaller
towns and rural districts in the state
can vote.
The antisuffragists did not succeed
in having an injunction served re-
straining Secretary Colby from pro-
claiming the amendment, although they
contend that Tennessee's ratification
was not valid because there is clause
in the state constitution which pro-
hibits any assembly from acting on an
amendment not submitted before the
members are elected. The United
States solicitor general and attorney
general of Tennessee hold this clause
is unconstitutional in consideration of
decisions recently rendered by the
federal supreme court. There seems
to be little reason to doubt that this
body will sustain Tennessee's action.
The fight for woman suffrage has
been long and bitter, extending over
a period of 72 years. Our colonial
forefathers in 1647 heard the voice of
woman demanding the right to vote
in the person of Mrs. Margaret Brent
Mrs. Brent was large property hold
er and in consideration Of that fact
she demanded seat in the legislature
of the colony. Again in the days Of
the revolution, when the continental
congress was in session, woman's voice
was raised protesting against taxa
ton without representation. Abigail
Adams, the wife of John Adams,
wrote her husband that eff in the new
care and attention
are not paid to the ladies, we are de-
termined to foment a rebellion and
will not hold ourselves bound to obey
any laws in which we have no voice"
The active suffrage fight commenced
with the woman's rights convention
in Seneca Falls, N. Y, in 1848.
Miss Susan B. Anthony in 1875
drafted the nineteenth amendment,
which was introduced in congress in
1878 by Senator A. A. Sargent Of
California and reads:
Article =, Section 1. The right Of
citizens of the United States to vote
shall not be denied or abridged by the
United States or by any state on ac-
count of sex.
"Section 2. Congress shall have
power, by appropriate legislation, to
enforce the provisions Of this article"
The amendment was before every
successive congress for Al years. 1t
was passed by the house of represen-
tatives on May Fl, 1919, and by the
senate on June that same year. Be-
fore the amendment could become a
part of the United States constitution
it had to be ratified by SO states. 1t
was ratified by the states in the fol-
lowing order:
June 10, 1919-Illinois.
June 10, 1919-Wisconsin.
June 10, 1919-Michigan.