Year: 1878



 The New York Observer, most conservative of religious journals, has the frankness to ac- knowledge that when it wrote to a conserva- tive lady in Wyoming for information regarding the practical workings of woman suffrage in that territory, it expected very different answer from the one it received. It honestly publishes the letter in full, however. while good many journals who gave cur rency to the original lie now refuse to print it's refutation. The letter in question will be found on our first page. The only editorial reference thereto in the Observer is to be found in the following curt paragraph:

 WOMEN AT THE PoLIs.-Let it not be sup posed that our views are changed in regard to the rights of women, or their wrongs. We are in search of facts, and the letter on our first page from lady in Wyoming Territory is replete with information on the subject of woman at the pals Because it contradicts what we have hitherto heard, is sufficient reason for giving it attention.

 There is no doubt that the testimony of conservative residents of Wyoming in favor of the excellent practical workings of woman's suffrage among them is great surprise to the conservative mind in the East Their mis- take is due in part to the over-zealous claims of the ''Woman Fighters" It is not surpris- ing that women who have themselves suffered keenly from unfair laws unfair business 'iiscriminations, and unfair social restrictions, should call attention chiefly to the radical nf ovrynr1 aIO woman suffrage solely as radical measure

 We have often, with very moderate success, endeavored to allay the fears of conservatives who lament previous extensions of the sui frage, with the argument that, practically woman's suffrage would prove conservative measure. We have for long believed that the suffrage needed woman quite as much as woman needed the suffrage. The ballot never was in sorer need than today of woman's liv- Tier conscience, her keener dislike of indecency. her higher sense of duty and her greater moral courage. Even the argument of woman's physical weakness, so often urged against this measure has proved, by experience, an argu- ment In it's favor. Says this conservative lady:

 The women of Wyoming, and particularly the better class, as highly prize and as gener- ally exercise the right of suffrage as do the men. Woman, from her very dependence, and comparative weakness and helplessness. feels more strongly than man does, her need of the protection of good laws faithfully exc cuted, and lii her own interest and that of those she loves, she naturally puts her vote  ment of his end.

 After remarking that women show much independence in voting, she very properly notes the strengthened influence of the family from the fact that women generally vote with their husbands:

 The fact that husbands and wives usually vote alike seems to me no objection It is only placing an additional power and influence in the government of the country where it is most needed and will naturally be most wisely used. The more the home influence is felt in general government the better. It is not from that source, but from the restless. the wander ing, the indifferent, not to say the vicious, who nave no home or domestic ties and responsi- billtles, that danger is to be apprehended

 Above all let it be noted that in Wyoming, at least, womans suffrage has proved purely conservative, and in no proper sense, a radi- cal measure. Il am not soomaD's rightist. We have not one in the territory believe" says the correspondent of the Observer Such will prove the case we firmly believe wherever woman is given the ballot The ''best women will go to the polls not because they hope for office, nor even because they expect to improve their condition through their political power, but simply because they sec that their vote is needed to strengthen the armies of decency and morality, now engaged in an unequal fight. Let our legislature, for instance, pass the law allowing women to vote in town meetings, and we should be greatly disappointed if the area of Ne License" was aot doubled in Connecticut at tine very next election.