WOMEN SUFFRAGE.
The joint resolution (H. R. 8] proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State granting the right of suffrage to females having the same qualifications as males was read the third time and passed under the operation of the previous question--yeas, 27; nays, 18--as follows:
YEAS--Brown, Bundy, Comstock, Davis, Garrigus, Graham, Grubbs, Hart, Henry, Hostetter, Hutchinson, Kahlo, Keiser, Langdon, Leeper, Lockridge, Menzies, Owen, Ristine, Sayre, Shaffer, Smith, Spann, Van Vorhis, White, Wilson and Yancy--27.
NAYS--Bell, Benz, Bischowski, Brisoe, Chapman, Compton, Davidson, Foster, Hefron, Kramer, Majors, Marvin, Rahm, Traylor, Urmston, Viehe, Voyles and Wood--18.
Mr. BROWN said: Eary at the last session I brought in a bill for a Constitutional Convention. I was then answered by the Republican members of the Senate that the seven amendments then pending to the Constitution, if adopted, would cure all the ills that were existing in consequence of a defective Constitution; that they would bind up the bruised arms and heal all the wounds of the people. Yet I find that in less than one month after the adoption of the seven amendments eight more are brought in, principally by Republicans, as necessary to cure Constitutional imperfections. I think more is being done to-day than has been done before to hasten the day when the people will call a Convention to interpose in their behalf against this patch-work upon the Constitution and a rectification of this foolishness. And my desire that there shall soon be such a Convention, for such purposes, is the controlling reason why I vote for these amendments.
Mr. HEFRON says: Though I am always willing to submit to the judgment of the people upon questions of all public concern, I can not give the sanction of my vote to a proposition which contaius such unreasonable and such unjust discriminations, as in my judgment, are contained in this resolution. I vote "no."
Mr. RAHM says: I have asked quite a large number of ladies of both parties in Vanderburgh County if they desired to vote, etc., and each and every one answered "No!"with the request for me to vote against all such nonsense. I vote "no."
Mr. WILSON says: "I believe 'all women (equally with men) are born free and equal;' that representation should go with taxation. Why should we refuse equal voice in the Government to the good, the pure, the intelligent citizen because she is a woman, and grant it to the low, vicious and ignorant simply because he is man? I do not believe any man was ever injured by association with the other sex in any legitimate enterprise in life. Why should we fear to share with them political power, and yet trust them with our 'lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor?' At least I am willing to let our page: 150[View Page 150] people direct us, and abide the expression of their will constitutionally expressed."
Mr. YANCEY says: I vote for this resolution because I believe it but right and just.
And so the joint resolution [H. R. 8] passed the Senate.
