THE MORNING OREGONIAN, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 1906.
13
A
Progress of Equal
Suffrage
Seventy-five years ago women could
not vote In any part of the English
speaking world.
In 1S3S Kentucky gave school suf
frage to widows.
In 1850 Ontario gave it to all women.
In 1&61 Kansas gave it to all women.
In 1567 New South Wales gave wom
en municipal suffrage.
In 1869 England gave municipal suf
frage to single women and widows;
Victoria gave it to women both mar
ried and single, and Wyoming gave full
suffrage to all women.
In 1871 West Australia gave women
municipal suffrage.
In 1875 Michigan and Minnesota gave
women school suffrage.
In 1S76 Colorado gave school suf
frage. In 1877 New Zealand gave school
suffrage.
In 1S7S Oregon and New Hampshire
gave school suffrage.
In 1S79 Massachusetts gave school
suffrage.
In 1880 New York and Vermont gave
women school suffrage, and South Aus
tralia gave them municipal suffrage.
In 18S1 municipal suffrage was given
to the single women and widows of
Scotland.
In 1883 Nebraska gave women school
suffrage.
In 1SS4 Tasmania gave them munici
pal suffrage.
In 1886 Now Zealand and New Bruns
wick gave them municipal suffrage.
In 18S7 Kansas, Nova Scotia and
Manitoba gave women municipal suf
frage. North and South Dakota, Mon
tana, Arizona and New Jersey gave
them school suffrage, and Montana
gave tax-payinR women a vote upon
all questions submitted to the tax-payers.
In 'lSSS England gave women county
suffrage, and British Columbia and the
Northwest Territory gave them muni
cipal suffrage.
In 1889 county suffrage was given to
the women of Scotland, and municipal
suffrage to single women, and widows
in tne Province of Quebec.
In 1891 Illinois gave school suffrage
to all women.
In 1893 Colorado and New Zealand
gave women full suffrage, and Connec
ticut gave them school suffrage.
In 1894 Ohio gave women school suf
frage, Iowa gave them bond suffrage,
and KnglHiid gave parish and district
suffrage to women both married and
single.
In 189.) South Australia gave full
state suffrage to women both married
and single.
In 1898 Utah and Idaho gave full
suffrage to all women.
In 1898 the women of Ireland were
given the right to vote for all officers
except members of Parliament; Minne
sota gave women a vote for library
trustees; Delaware gave school suf
frage to tax-paying women; France
gave women engaged in trade a vote
for Judges of the tribunals of com
merce, and Louisiana gave tax-paying
women a vote upon all questions sub
mitted to the taxpayers.
In 190C West Australia gave women
full state suffrage, and Wisconsin gave
them school suffrage.
In 1901 New York gave tax-paying
women in all tho towns and villages of
the state a vote on all questions of
local taxation; Norway gave women
municipal suffrage, and the Kansas
legislature voted down, almost unani
mously, and "amid a ripple of amuse
ment." a proposal to repeal municipal
suffrage.
In 1902 full state suffrage was grant
ed to the women of New South Wales,
and full National suffrage to the 900,
000 women of federated Australia.
In 1903, Tasmania gave women full state
suffrage, and Kansas' gave them bond
suffrage.
In 1905. Queensland gave women full
state suffrage.
Oregon does not want to fall In at the
rear of this reform. She prefers to
MARCH WITH THH PROCESSION
There can be no doubt as to which way
the procession is moving.
ARE WOMEN TAXED If '
An anonymous writer says that wom
en are not really taxed. For years after
my husband's death I paid heavy taxes
for myself and my little children, while
struggling to care for them and to keep
the family together. You need not tell
any woman who has been a widow that
women are not taxed.
But this nameless writer says women
do not pay the "service tax" by doing
military and police duty. The wives
of the Oregon pioneers molded bullets
for their husbands, and kept guard over
the homes with their own guns while the
men were away at work or fighting the
Indians. Oregon women would do It
again tomorrow if the need came again.
Every mother who has reared a family
and done the manifold work of her house
hold has paid a service tax to her coun
try, which ought in all fairness to be
taken as an offset for the soldiering that
is not required of her. And whenever a
soldier goes to war his wife has to do
double work at home while he is away.
She has to be both father and mother to
the children till his return, if he ever does
return.
Let no one say that the mothers of Or
egon' do not render a "service tax" to
their country. The men who honor their
mothers will vote for equal suffrage on
June 4.
CHARLOTTE MOFFETT CART
WRIGHT, President Women's Auxiliary of Pioneer
Association.
The women of Ireland vote, without any
loss either of dignity or domesticity.
LORD MAYOR TALLON. OF DUBLIN.
First
F
EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL
SPECIAL PRIVILEGES FOR NONE
Some
Opinions
I believe in the rights of the woman
Just as much as I do in those of the man,
and in fact a little more.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
I hope and believe that after June 4
Oregon women will have a vote.
JAMES WITHYCOMBE.
I hope that Oregon will give women the
ballot, and that every state will do so.
GOV. GEORGE E. CHAMBERLAIN.
Under existing conditions I believe It to
be less wrong to enfranchise women than
to deny them their right of choice. There
fore I shall vote for the amendment.
RUFU3 MALLORY,
Ex-Member of Congress.
Our ought to be a government of the
whole people instead of half the people.
JUDGE H. H. NORTHRUP.
There is no valid reason against equal
suffrage, and there are many reasons for
It. BEN SELLING.
I see no reason why women should not
be given equal rights with men, and hope
to see them enjoying such rights in the
near future. I. N. FLEISCHNER.
Even the women who own no property
upon which to be taxed ought to have a
vote to protect their lives and honor.
DR. STEPHEN 3. WI3E.
My mother, my grandmother and great
grandmother were pioneers of Oregon and
crossed the plains with an ox team. I
will always defend the honor of women
and grant them every privilege that I
have, for their noble work in securing
this country for my blessing.
JEFFERSON MYERS.
I sincerely hope the amendment will win
and by a large majority. J. F. CAPLES.
Ex-Minister to Chile.
I hope to see the equal suffrage amend
ment carried by a large majority on June
4, and the liberty of Oregon's womanhood
Incorporated In the constitution of the
state. WALTER L. TOOZE,
Woodburn, Or.
It would be unfair to deprive all women
of the right to vote because some women
do not want It. Suffragists are not advo
cating a law that will compel any woman
to vote. All they ask Is the right to vote
if they choose. THOS. L. VAN ORSDAL,
North Yamhill, Or.
I
Go Into the saloon and find a man buck
ing the slot machines and paying for beer
with money his wife earned at the wash
tub, and you will find a man that is op
posed to the enfranchisement of woman.
MILT RICHARDSON.
I was born an equal suffragist.
GEO. H. HIMES, Sec. Pioneer Ass'n.
It Is simply silly to say only bad and
Ignorant women will vote, for experience
shows the best women vote when they
have the chance, and it opens their intel
lectual eyes. C. E. S. WOOD.
Every man honors himself by honor
ing his mother. Nothing gives me great
er pride or pleasure than giving my voice
and vote for the enfranchisement of wo
manman's best friend and wisest coun
sellor. W. S. DUNIWAY.
Woman Is equally responsible with
man for the propagation and destiny of
the human race. She should be equally
free, therefore, in the exercise of all her
powers. Her rights in law and society
should be equal with his. She ought to
vote. Her Influence and power are need
ed in the state as well as home and
church. J. WHITCOMB BROUGHER.
Is It Just to women citizens who are
subject to and who assist in supporting
the Government, to deny them a voice in.
that government? In short. Is It Just
that they should be classed with minors,
idiots. Insane and criminals? AHIA S.
WATT.
I am a believer in equal suffrage B.
LEE PAGET.
We are going to win. But if we should
fall. I am going to start right in and
work for victory until we win. MRS. R.
R. HOGE. ,
We will give a tremendous vote for the
equal suffrage amendment. The "antls"
are a discount in Eastern Oregon. E. S.
McCOMAS, Union, Or.
Women's enfranchisement is the next
step toward the fullness of individual lib
ertythe equality of right and oppor
tunity toward which the race is moving.
JL'DGE STEPHEN A. LOWELL, Pen
dleton. Women are as much entitled to the
ballot as I or my brothers. MAYOR
HARRY LANE.
The Socialists have an equal suffrage
plank in their platform, and are working
for It all over the world. THOMAS
BURNS.
The citizens' organization found women
the strongest factor in their work for re
form, and I think 99 per cent of us are
for suffrage. O. P. M. JAMISON. .
I have been a suffragist for a quarter
of a century. I believe my mother was
better qualified to exercise the franchise
than I am. DR. ANDREW C. SMITH."
The woman who takes an interest In
the affairs of her country takes the best
interest in her home. SENATOR H. W
COE.
Proposed by Initiative Petition
FOR E11AL SUFFRAGE CONSTITU
TIONAL AMENDMENT.
Vote Yes or Bio
ree
Equal Suffrage
and Prosperity
The Oregon Equal Suffrage Association
intended to appeal for your vote simply
because It is right and just that women
should vote. However, in a recent pro
test, the corporate interests, Acting with
a few multi-millionaire women, have ar
rayed themselves against the equal-suffrage
amendment. This is a direct blow
to the wage-earners of Oregon. The most
powerful defense of the people is the In
itiative and referendum, and In the let
ter asking for signers to this protest,
these ill-advised women attacked the in
itiative and referendum, for it is the in
creased vote of the "plain people" that
the millionaire classes fear.
This protest was designed to frighten
the average voter upon the ground that
equal suffrage would hurt the business
interests of Oregon, limit railroad bund
ling, and .scare timid investors.
In denial, we submit to the common
sense of Oregon men the following facts,
taken from the last United States census,
showing that in all the states where
women vote, wages have advanced, popu
lation increased, agricultural and manu
facturing interests grown rapidly. The
per cent of the increase in ten years is
as follows:
Mfg. Agl.
Popul'n, Inter's. Inter's.
Per Ct. Per Ct. Per Ct.
Colorado 30 142 151
Wyoming 49 81 431
Utah 32
Idaho 88
Oregon 30
137
187
11
Business men, working men and farm
ers can study these conditions to ad
vantage. In the four equal-suffrage
states the value of manufactures has
risen per capita, while in Oregon, during
the same period, it has fallen from $132
to $112, an average loss of $20 to each per
son in the state.
Manufacturing value increased for each
$87
Wyoming 8
Utah 34
Idaho 8
Oregon (loss) 20
The average earnings of those engaged
in agriculture and manufactures are
greater in equal-suffrage states.
Average annual earnings
Colorado $612.61
Idaho 683.68
Wyoming B18.K4
Utah 512.23
Oregon S3.49
We do not claim that the prosperity of
these states is due to woman suffrage.
What we do say is that the charge made
in the protest of the corporate interests
Is false, and founded upon prejudice.
By referring to statistics of wage-earning
women and children, we find that,
while Colorado has a population of 100,000
more than Oregon, yet in Colorado there
are only 73 more women working in fac
tories for a living than in Oregon with Its
smaller population. A larger number of
children work in the factories of Oregon
and at a lower age, than in Colorado.
No state can afford child-labor. This is
race suicide in its worst form.
The above showing should be a rebuke
to the capitalists who are trying to con
trol, for their selfish ends, the interests
which should be of mutual benefit to all
Oregonlans.
Do your share in protecting the rights
of the people through the initiative and
I referendum by putting "X" between 302
! "Vflo" rn vrttit ialtot YnnrH for ins-
tice,
OREGON EQUAL SUFFRAGE ASS'N.
WYOMING SPEAKS FOR HER
SELF. The Legislature of Wyoming, by a reso
lution adopted in 1893, and reaffirmed in
substance In 1901, has declared unani
mously: "That the exercise of suffrage by the
women in Wyoming for the past quarter
of a century has wrought no harm, and
has done great good in many ways; that
it has largely aided In banishing crime,
pauperism and vice from the State, and
this without any violent or oppressive
legislation. We point with pride to the
fact that, after nearly 25 years of woman
suffrage, not one county in Wyoming has
a poorhouse, and our jails are almost
empty. As a result of experience, we
urge every civilized community to enfran
chise its women."
Governor Brooks, of Wyoming, writes:
"Bad women do not exert an appreciable
influence in politics. The fact that women
vote in Wyoming does not Interfere in
any way with home duties, nor with the
pleasant relationships of family life.
"My belief is that woman's work for
home and church and state Is much
stronger and more helpful because of the
broader outlook upon life which the fran
chise of necessity gives to woman."
Every Governor of Wyoming for 37 years
has testified that It works well.
After. 20 years' experience of equal suf
frage as a territory, when Wyoming came
in as a state, she incorporated It in her
State constitution by an almost unani
mous vote.
tate on
Idaho Speaks For
Herself
Idaho adopted an amendment giving
women the full ballot In 1896. The vote
stood 12,126 to 6.2S2.
The Chief Justice of Idaho and all the
Justices of the State Supreme Court have
published a statement that the results
are good, and that the women cast a
large vote. They added: "Equal suffrage
is more popular among our people than
whe'n first adopted. If the question was
resubmitted, it would now be adopted by
a vote almost unanimous."
IDAHO BUSINESS MEN TESTIFY.
A few days ago 37 prominent firms and
business men of Boise united in the fol
lowing statement:
"To Whom It May Concern: Having
been advised that It is asserted, to in
fluence voters In Oregon, that equal
suffrage promotes 'fad legislation,' causes
Injury to business and discourages invest
ment of capital in new enterprises, we,
the undersigned, business men of Boise,
wish to state the allegation? are without
foundation. After an experience of ten
years with equal suffrage in this state,
we are in a position to testify that it has
no such effect, but, on the contrary, is a
powerful factor In the Interest of good
government, contributing always toward
establishment of better conditions, and
directly benefiting business in many ways.
Confidence in the stability and good faith
of state and local government is meas
urably Increased, and the state is thereby
made more attractive to investors."
Mr. William Balderston, editor of the
Boise Statesman, forwarded the foregoing
statement to the Oregon campaign head
quarters at Portland. In a private letter
accompanying It he said:
"This was circulated two hours today
by Mrs. Joseph Plnkham and Mrs. E. J.
Dockery. They report that no one re
fused to sign. Three of those signing
said that they did not approve of equal
suffrage, but that they were glad to sign
this statement. Practically all the others
voluntarily said that equal suffrage had
been of great benefit to ail lines of legiti
mate business. They made the statement
enthusiastically. The names on the paper
embrace a large proportion of our largest
firms, and all are representative."
FROM BOISE STATESMAN.
The Boise Statesman of May 19, 1P0.
referring to the assertion that equal
suffrage would hurt business prosperity,
says editorially:
"That theory is disproved by every fact
of experience. In this city, where we
have had equal suffrage for ten years,
not only do our business men agree unani
mously that it has not been detrimental,
but, with practical unanimity, they state It
has been directly beneficial to the business
and development of the city and state.
Practically all the business men of this
city will subscribe to that statement, as
was shown by a recent canvass.
"Equal suffrage has been beneficial to
business In this state because it has been
a powerful factor in establishing better
conditions. Moreover, it gives an assur
ance of maintenance of safe conditions
and thereby increases the confidence of
Investors.
"Equal suffrage promotes the general
welfare and development of any state be
cause it raises the general average of
character represented by the ballots cast
at an election, and it would be Just as
true In Oregon as it has been in Idaho."
FROM IDAHO STATE UNIVER
SITY. Frank Martin, regent of the Idaho State
University, writes:
"The part taken by women in the elec
tions fully justifies the hopes of the
friends of equal suffrage. The large num
ber of the best women of our towns and
cities participating in the elections has
entirely annihilated the main argument of
the opponents of equal suffrage, i. e., that
women generally did not want to vote,
and would not exercise the right."
NO VIOLENT CHANGES.
Hugh 3-1 ' Mcllroy, trustee of the State
Normal School, writes:
"Good results from equal suffrage are
clearly In sight, and all the better that
they do not involve any violent changes.
"Corrupt influences can reach a much
smaller proportion of the women voters.
"None of the baleful predictions made
by opponents have come true. When equal
suffrage is actually adopted, its Justice
and propriety become so self-evident that
we wonder how its coming was so long
delayed."
FROM THE GOVERNOR.
Governor Gooding writes:
"Equal suffrage has been helpful to
Idaho. The elective franchise has been
exercised wisely and conscientiously by
the women."
HELPS THE SCHOOLS.
Louis B. Anderson, State Superintendent
Of Schools for Idaho, wrote several years
ago: "Our teachers, the rank and file
of whom are ladies, have a thousand
times more influence in politics than here
tofore." He enumerates among the ben
efits "better schools and a demand for
better trained teachers."
WHERE ARE THE IDAHO ANTIS?
Many other leading Idaho men and
women have come forward to testify to
good results of equal suffrage. Idaho is
our next neighbor, yet during all the
months of this campaign our antis have
not thus far brought forward one Idaho
man who says It has hurt business, or
one Idaho woman who says It has hurt
the home.
Proposed by Initiative Petition
FOR EQUAL. SUFFRAGE CONSTITU
TIONAL, AMENDMENT.
Vote Tee or No
Pacific
Friends of Equal
Rights
The Equal Suffrage amendment has
been indorsed by the Oregon State
Federation of Labor, the State Grange,
the Federated Trades Council, the
Women's Label League, and the State
Federation of Women's Clubs. Most of
these indorsements were almost unan
imous. DO OREGON WOMEN WANT THE
BALLOT?
The Oregon Antls have one small
organization of wealthy women in
Portland. They have tried to form
branches in half a dozen other cities
and towns and failed.
The Oregon Equal Suffrage Associa
tion has about 300 branch organiza
tions in all parts of the state, with an
aggregate of some 6000 members.
Which is more likely to represent
the majority of Oregon, women?
OREGON PRESS FOR EQUAL
RIGHTS.
Of the 208 newspapers in Oregon,
only six are opposing the equal-suffrage
amendment. The great majority
of Oregon editors heartily indorse and
support it.
WILL WOMEN VOTE?
In Idaho 'women are less than half
the total population, yet it is estimated
that they cast nearly half the total
vote.
The Colorado Secretary of State
writes that 80 per cent of Colorado
women register, and about 72 per cent
vote.
The Wyoming Secretary of State
writes that 90 per cent of the Wyoming
women vote.
In Australia there are 850,000 women
on the register of voters, and the num
ber is growing.
In New Zealand, when equal suffrage
was granted, there were in the colony
139,915 women. Of these 109,461 reg
istered to vote. Of the women who
registered 8 per cent voted.
In all these places It had been de
clared in advance that the women did
not want to vote.
PROSPEROUS NEW ZEALAND.
New Zealand's prosperity Is famous.
Equal suffrage certainly has not de
stroyed it.
Mrs. H. J. Seddon, wife of the Pre
mier, writes: "I was opposed to equal
suffrage before it was granted, but now
1 see that it is a good thing. There
has been no unpleasantness of any sort
connected with it, and It has done the
women a great deal of good to take
an Interest in public affairs."
AUSTRALIA'S WOMEN.
The best proof that equal suffrage has
worked well in Australia is that one
Australian state has followed another in
granting it, like sheep over a wall.
New Zealand gave it in 1893, South Aus
tralia in 18, West Australia in 1900. New
South Wales in 1H02, Tasmania in 1903
and Queensland in 1905.
If it had had the horrid results the
antis predict, the states nearest to those
where It prevails would not be the ones
to adopt it. They have had a chance to
see how it works.
One of its good results in Australia has
been Improved laws for the protection of
poor children, and a marked decline in
the Infant death-rate.
Lady Holder, wife of the Speaker of
the House of Representatives of Fede
rated Australia, writes: "Our freedom
has not developed a class of political
women, we have no shrieking sister
hood,' and the woman voter who respects
herself may trust for protection to the
chivalry of men.".
THOSE BAD WOMEN.
It Is said that the bad women would
outvote the good ones. In the state pris
on at Salem there are 2l6 men and only
3 women.
CLARA BARTON TO THE
SOLDIERS.
When you were weak and I was strong,
I tolled for you. Now you are strong and
I am weak. Because of my work for
you, I ask your aid. I ask the ballot for
myself and my sex. As I stood by you,
I pray you stand by me and mine.
CLARA BARTON.
APPEAL OF OREGON WOMEN.
We believe that the mothers, wives, sis
ters and daughters of Oregon are as In
telligent and patriotic as the women of
Idaho, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Eng
land, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Norway,
Australia, New Zealand or any other
place where women now vote.
We earnestly appeal to every liberty
loving man in Oregon who believes in a
square deal and fair play for all to prove
his faith In the mothers and wives of
Oregon by placing an X between 302 and
YES on his ballot June 4. Let Oregon
lead the march of progress on the Pa
cific CoaBt. Yours for Justice,
ABIGAIL SCOTT DUNIWAT,
Honorary President Oregon Equal Suf
frage . Association and State Federation
of Woman's Clubs.
MRS. HENRY WALDO COE,
President Oregon Equal Suffrage Associ
ation. CHARLOTTE M. CARTWRIGHT,
President Woman's Pioneer Auxiliary
Association.
SARAH A. EVANS.
President Oregon Federation o'f Woman's
Clubs.
ESTHER C. POHL, M. D.,
President Woman's Medical Association.
MRS. CLARA WALDO.
Lecturer Oregon State Grange.
Coast
The Enemies It
Has Made
When foul means have to be used
against any measure, it shows that it
cannot be defeated on a square deal. The
liquor trust has sent out a secret circular
which says. In part:
"PORTLAND, May 21, 1906 Dear Sir:
Two laws are to be voted on at the elec
tion, June 4, which are of vital import
ance to every liquor merchant In Oregon,
without exception.
The first is woman suffrage.
The second is the amendment to the
local-option law.
The members of this association have
worked hard for a long time on -both
these matters.
But, being few In number, they cannot
by themselves pass the local-option
amendment or defeat woman suffrage.
That part of the work is up to the re
tailers. We write this letter to earnestly
ask you to help.
It will take 50,000 votes to defeat woman
suffrage. There are 2000 retailers in Ore
gon. That means that every retailer must
himself bring in 23 votes election day.
Every retailer can get 25 votes. Besides
his employes, he has his grocer, his
butcher, his landlord, his laundryman
and every person he does business with.
If every man in the business will do this
we will win. Yours very respectfully,
BREWERS & WHOLESALE LIQUOR
DEALERS.' ASSOCIATION.
This hint from the wholesalers to the
retailers to coerce their employes and
tradespeople Is in line with the ordinary
corporation methods used to Intimidate
voters.
The postal card enclosed for reply Is
to be signed by a number, not a name.
The liquor trust takes it for granted
that those who are willing to help in this
dirty work will not want their names to
be known even to the- postman. W hen
such strict secrecy is thought necessary
It shows that public feeling in favor of
equal rights for Oregon women must
be strong indeed.
ANTICS OF THE ANTIS.
Under this heading, the Lincoln County
Leader makes fun of certain men who are
afraid of equal rights for women. The
editor says:
They are awfully excited, and are blow
ing money, hot air and time lavishly In
the effort to defeat the amendment in
June. They have evidently employed
C. V. Cooper (some of our citizens know
Charlie) as one of the chief mixers and
dispensers of hot air and distributors of
boodle.
The following letter will give our read
ers an idea as to the methoda of this no
ble band of women-fighters:
"PORTLAND, Or., May. 17.
"Editor Leader Dear Sir: I am Inclos
ing you two readers for your Issues of
25th Inst, and June 1. I figure that the
first will cost J2.50. at the rate of 10 cents
per line, for which I Inclose my check.
Please let me know whether I am correct,
and forward receipt. Please also send
bill for the second reader.
"I would be glad to have your editorial
assistance against this movement, as it
is a great 'menace' (that's awful, Char
lie!) to the welfare of the entire state.
Please do not 'star' the article. Yours
very truly, C. V. COOPER.
"312 Chamber of Commerce."
Mr. Cooper's editorials, above referred
to, which he does not want us to "star"
In other words, mark as advertisements
allege that "fully 90 per cent of the wom
en do not want to vote"; that "the Intro
duction of 'women sufferage' (that's the
way Charlie writes it) is radically wrong
from any point of view"; that "in states
where 'women sufferage' prevails, expe
rience has demonstrated that It has been
disastrous to business in many ways."
There is a lot more of the same stuff,
all containing about the same per cent
of truth and that Isn't much.
The Leader has returned to Mr. Cooper
his 32.60 check, and devoted this space
to the misguided gentleman, without mon
ey and without price.
LINCOLN COUNTY LEADER.
AN INSULT TO OREGON
MOTHERS.
Mr. Wallace McCarnant has flooded the
state with a vulgar card bearing a pic
ture of women's underclothing. It is an
Insult to every man's mother. Any
cause must be hard up for legitimate ar
gument when it resorts to this low appeal
to prejudice. The manly men of Oregon
will resent the use of such a weapon
against Oregon women.
ANONYMOUS LETTERS.
Almost all the stuff sent out to the
Oregon press against the equal suffrage
amendment has been anonymous. How
much faith can you place in anyone who
Is ashamed to put his name to his words?
Proposed oy Initiative Petition
FOR EQUAL SUFFRAGE CONSTITU
TIONAL AMENDMENT.
Vote Yea or No
Colorado Speaks
For Herself
In Colorado a statement has been pub
lished, declaring that the general effects
of equal suffrage are wholesome; that
none of the predicted evils have followed:
that a large majority of . the' women
vote, and that "the women's vote is no
ticeably more conscientious than that of
men." This statement was signed by the
Governor and three ex-Governors of Colo
rado, all the Judges of the Supreme Court,
the Denver District Court and the Court
of Appeals: all the Colorado Senators and
Representatives In Congress, the State
Superintendent of Public Instruction, the
president of the State University, the
president of Colorado College, the Attorney-General,
the Mayor of Denver, promi
nent clergymen of different denomina
tions, and a long list of distinguished citi
zens, including the presidents of 13 of the
principal women's associations of Denver.
The Colorado Legislature, by a practi
cally unanimous vote of both houses, has
passed a resolution declaring that "women
have exercised the suffrage as generally
as men. with the result that the character
of legislation has been Improved, clvlo
Intelligence Increased, and womanhood de
veloped to greater usefulness by politi
cal responsibility."
Colorado first adopted equal suffrage
merely as a statute, ratified by a refer
endum vote. After 10 years' experience of
it, she Incorporated It In her constitution
almost without opposition.
In the 13 years since it was granted,
the opponents have not found in all Colo
rado a dozen respectable men who say
over their own names and addresses that
It has had any bad results whatever.
FROM DENVER BUSINESS MEN.
The following statement has been signed
by representatives of 14 of the leading
business firms of Denver. All the signa
tures were obtained in the course of half
an hour. The only man asked who re
fused to sign was the owner of a factory
who had been employing children under
age, and who had been obliged by the
women to give up child labor. Speaking
of the prophecy that equaT suffrage would
destroy prosperity and lead to freak legis
lation, these Denver business men say:
vVe wish to repudiate the statement, as
eaually absurd and untrue. Women have
never urged the passage of a single 'freak
bill." On the contrary, they have shown
the utmost loyalty In patronizing home
ludustries and urging others to do so.
They have, of course, abolished child la
bor, but this has worked no hardship to
the business Interests of the State. Colo
rado is operating mines, buildine facto
ries and laying miles of railroud. unde
tered by the fact that her women take an
intelligent interest in public affairs."
COLORADO PROSPEROUS.
Under the heading, "Antl-Suffrasists
Hard Up for Argument," the Denver
News says editorially:
"Colorado has not suffered from fart
legislation. The only measures which
have ever been criticised as too.rarlic.il
are such as but mildly Introduce forms of
direct legislation which Oregon already
has In full.
"Colorado granted the franchise when
the State was in the mire of h;irri times
and panic, and it has gone steadily cm
ward in business prosperity ever since. It
would be foolish to claim that this was
due to the women's vote, but It certainly
proves that It has not been an injury to
business interests.
"In the 12 years of woman's enfran
chisement the State has been on the
wave of the most pronounced prosperity.
Not only have the local interests and
activities been extremely prosperous, but
outside capital has developed the state
in countless ways. Urpat railway sys
tems have entered the state, buying up
local lines; new lines have been built.
Immense nonresident capital has been in
vested In coal, sugar, smelting and other,
industries, as well as in the mines of the
state.
"The well-posted business men of Ore
gon know this and will see at once how
childishly ignorant is the sucgestlon made
to them."
MERCE. (
Th following teleeram has been!
celved at the Equal Suffrage Hcadquar
:aaquar
:r has .1
in Portland:
"Neither Colorado nor Denver
fered by the adoption of woma
woman Duuiiir, i
Ilv. but quite the
WILLIAMS. Y
of Commerce."
either materially or mora
reverse. ARTHUR
"Sec'y Denver Chamber
FROM JUDGE LINDSEY.
Judge Ben B. Lindsey, of the Denver
Juvenile Court, writes:
"Equal suffrage In Colorado In ten years
has more than Justified itself. Any propo
sition to repeal it would be overwhelm
ingly defeated by the men of Colorado.
It has never made women any the less
womanly or any the less motherly, or in
terfered with their duties in the home.
Colorado has the best laws of any state
in the Union for the protection of the
homes and the children, the very founda
tion of the Republic. These laws, in my
Judgment, would not exist at this time
if it were not for equal suffrage."
COLORADO'S ELECTION FRAUDS
Judge Lindsey, of the Denver Juvenile
Court, writes: "Ninety-nine per cent of
our election frauds were committed by
men, and about one per cent by women."
Ex-Governor Adams says: "Election
frauds are much rarer among women than
among men. For ten years after equal
suffrage was granted only one woman in
Colorado was convicted of illegal voting."
W. H. Bryant, president of the Honest
Elections League of Denver, writes:
"Women have practically nothing to . do
with the fraudulent work, though a few
women are, occasionally picked up and
used as Instruments." He added that of
the many persons against whom the Hon
est Elections League had had to take out
warrants only two were women.
Ex-Congressman Shafroth writes: "The
men concerned In the frauds outnumbered
the women much more than ten to one."
The District Attorney of Denver writes
officially that 76 men were Informed
against for taking part In the frauds con
nected with Shafroth's .election, and only
two women.
Two women were mixed up in the Ore
gon land frauds, and more than 100 men.
Does it follow that Oregon women are not
fit to own land? Then why claim that
women are not fit to vote because in
Denver a few women and a great many
men were mixed up In election frauds?
The claim that Colorado women were re
sponsible for those frauds has been a
main argument urged against equal rights:
for Oregon women.
A prominent lawyer's wife had fads
about hygienic sleeping. She once asked
her husband, "Is it better to lie on the
right side or the left?"
"My dear," he answered, absently,
"when one Is on the right side it gen
erally Isn't necessary to do much lying."
If there were any true things to be told
against equal suffrage, the opponents
would not be driven to invent so many
campaign lies.
Put an X between 302 and
YES on your ballot, June 4
Put an X between 302 and
YES on your ballot, June 4
Put an X between 302 and
YES on your ballot, June 4
302 X Yen.
?02 X Yea,
S03 X Yes.
No.
303
Put an X between 302 and
YES on your ballot, June 4