DEFERRED MATTER.
Remarks of Hon. G. V. Menzies in the Senate of Indiana April 8, 1881, on the passage of the Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the State Constitution, granting the right of suffrage to females, having the same qualifications as males. See page 149.
Mr. MENZIES said: Mr. President--As a mem ber of the Committee which reported back the resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution conferring the ballot upon women, I reserved the right to oppose its adoption by the people, if submitted to them at an election, and I now say that unless the circumstances which surround the question are different I shall oppose it. There are, however, reasons why the subject should be acted upon affirmatively by this General Assembly. The agitators who have so persistently in season and out of season pressed this matter upon the attention of the Legislature have before this session taken much valuable time. We have had the question discussed here early in the regular session, and much time consumed. The friends of the cause will be here at each General Assembly demanding a hearing. In my judgment, the best way to dispose of the issue is to refer it to the people, the source of all power in this Government. Let them speak. When they have spoken, the path of those who take up our duties as representatives will be clear. I have no doubt as to the result. The great majority of citizens--male and female--are not demanding it, and do not want it. I will not attempt to enter into the merits or demerits of the various questions involved in the one question of giving the ballot to women. Everything that can be said we have heard from the rostrum or read in the press. The subject is familiar to all. I have only to say as for myself, that the advocates of what may be called this change in our social and political condition, greater than any heretofore made, not even excepting the abolition of slavery, have advanced no reason satisfactory to my mind why it should take place, and in the future as in the past, unless better informed and advised, I shall continue in opposition to placing upon the women of the country the burdens, responsibilties and temptations of the elective franchise.
In two years the people of this State will be called upon to choose another body of men to enact laws. In the canvass this question will be one of the issues. Candidates can be made to define their position on the subject. The people will have an opportunity in that way of saying whether they wish the right conferred. If not, then our successors, in obedience to their commands, will decline to go further in the matter. If the majority of the next Legislature are selected to favor the enlargement of suffrage to include women, then carrying into effect the will of their constituents, they will adopt this resolution, and send the whole matter directly to the voters of the State to be by them decided. I think I know enough of the sentiment of Indiana to predict that the verdict will be no uncertain one, and that it will be against the proposition. The men do not like it; the women do not desire it. A few worthy ladies, together with some earnest and able men, in their zeal and enthusiasm imagine that the people are clamoring for the change. Let them have the opportunity of discovering the error. The contrary will be demonstrated in a voice so certain that the heartiest advocates of the course will be convinced. They have for years petitioned to go before the voters of the State. Let them do so; the voters will deny the prayer.
