USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > The Congress of Women : held in the Woman's building, World's Columbian exposition, Chicago, U.S.A., 1893 : with portraits, biographies and addresses > Part 93
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body and soul. A face may sometimes be faultless in contour and coloring, and yet fail to satisfy our idea of beauty, owing to a lack of expression. Expression is the painting and sculpture of the soul made manifest by the body, the radiation of char- acter through the channels of expression. Physical exercise will fill those channels of expression when they have become choked by habits of stiffness and self-conscious- ness, and will restore the graceful suppleness, if not the unconscious grace, of childhood. A harsh, unmusical voice and awkward body can not well express sentiments of affec- tion and sympathy; neither does a shrinking, bashful carriage denote courage and self- respect and kindred attributes which we value in our acquaintances. A fine bearing is a valuable letter of recommendation to any position, because of the qualities of mind supposed to underlie and to be expressed by this means.
When men and women study to know themselves and nature's laws working in their minds and bodies, and when they are ready to obey those laws as confidently as the chemist obeys the laws of chemical affinity, then shall we see mothers watching and guarding their children against the sins of the body as well as the sins of the soul. Our body, the temple of the immortal part of us, will not be considered bestial any longer, but will be sculptured into Divine beauty by the Divinity within. The lofty carriage and high courtesy of manner will reveal the noble tenant within.
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MUNICIPAL SUFFRAGE FOR WOMEN IN MICHIGAN.
By MISS OCTAVIA WILLIAMS BATES.
When the women of Michigan were surprised, last May, with the news that munici- pal suffrage had been extended by the legislature of that state so as to include them, the great majority of those who heard the tidings little knew of the bitter struggle that the pioneers of the movement had sustained in years past. They little thought of those who had endured the heat and the burden of the fierce fight, but who had passed away without enjoying the fruits of their labor.
A few were mindful of all this and the memory of it chastened the joy of the occasion and made them still more dearly prize the new jewel in their posses- sion.
On that glad day a few women in Michigan of clearer vision and keener insight than the rest of their sisters realized that a great opportunity for good had come to them, and grateful indeed were they for this boon.
A few more saw that the " stamp of inequality," which is the " brand of degradation," had been, to a certain degree, effaced from the women of the state.
But how has this revolution, as it were, been brought about, is the question that an outsider might naturally ask; and who should have the credit and MISS OCTAVIA WILLIAMS BATES. honor of putting Michigan in the van-guard of the states by giving this larger life to her women?
Many causes have co-operated to produce this result. The passage of the mar- ried woman's property act, in 1858; the opening of the University of Michigan to women, in 1870. along with a steady, persistent demand for the representation of women in the government of the state on the part of the advocates of that idea, have all contributed their share to the formation of a public sentiment favorable to the passage of a municipal suffrage bill for women.
It is not a new idea in Michigan-this idea of equal political representation-nor is the beginning and growth of public opinion on the subject of woman suffrage a recent topic of interest.
The agitation on this question began in Michigan in 1846, with the advent of Ernestine L. Rose, who spoke twice in the legislative hall in Detroit. Her work in Detroit, Ann Arbor and other places, was three or four years prior to the first report by the Special Committee of the Senate in the general revision of the constitution, nine years before the House Committee's report on elections in response to women's petitions, and twelve years before the favorable "report of the Senate upon the memo- rial of ladies, praying for the privilege of the elective franchise." After this time there were various spasmodic and entirely unrelated efforts in different parts of the state, until the formation of the Michigan State Suffrage Society which was organ-
Miss Octavia Williams Bates is a native of Detroit, Mich. Her parents were Samuel and Rebecca Bates, of that city. She was educated in the public schools of Detroit and is a graduate of the University of Michigan in the classical course. She has traveled in various parts of the United States and Canada. She is a woman of great intelligence and very fine appear- ance. Miss Bates is specially interested in the Woman Suffrage Movement. In religious faith she is a Unitarian. Her postoffice address is No. 53 Bagg Street, Detroit, Mich.
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ized at the close of the first convention, held in Battle Creek in 1870, which has donc the usual work of aiding in the formation of local societies, circulating tracts and peti- tions, securing hearings before the legislature, and holding its annual meetings from year to year in the different cities of the state.
Legislative action on the question of woman suffrage began in Michigan in 1849; continued in the legislatures of 1855, 1857 and 1859, until in 1874 "A bill for sep- arate submission to a vote of the people on an amendment to the constitution relating to woman suffrage," was passed by the legislature. Everything that could be done was done by the friends of the amendment throughout the state, but it did not succeed. The liberal action of the legislature in passing the bill, of Governor Bagley in sign- ing the bill, the appeals of the women, nor the votes of forty thousand of the best men of the state-all of these were of no avail. A blight fell on the spirits of the advocates of the movement. The State Equal Suffrage Association still continued its work amid many discouragements. And a few heroic women in Michigan never ceased in their efforts. Prominent among them are Mrs. Mary Knaggs, Mrs. Martha E. Root, both of Bay City; Mrs. Mary L. Doe, Mrs. Emily B. Ketchum, of Grand Rapids, with Mrs. Helen P. Jenkins, Mrs. A. A. Boutelle, and Mrs. C. E. Fox, of Detroit, who have all taken an active part in legislative work and to whom great honor is due for the course they have pursued in obtaining the recent municipal suffrage bill for the women of their state.
The work in Detroit ceased publicly until in 1887 the Detroit Equal Suffrage Association was formed, with Hon. Thomas W Palmer as chief mover and director, who has ever been ready to help the movement for woman suffrage, not only in Michigan, but throughout the United States, with his speech, his pen, his money, and the immense personal influence at his command. This association has never been strong in point of numbers, but if the strength of an association is to be measured by unanimity, moral courage and enthusiasm among its members, and work accomplished by its members, then is this association strong, indeed. Brought together more for the purpose of mutual support and sympathy, than for any definite plan of action, their work has come to them more rapidly and with more imperative demands than they have been able to perform. Very soon after the inception of the society, a prac- tical plan of work for cxtending the suffrage was determined upon, which reached its consummation when the amendment to the charter of the city of Detroit was passed in the legislature of 1889, which gave school suffrage to the women of the city of Detroit. That a very large number of women have so keenly appreciated this priv- ilege and have so generally availed themselves of its advantages has been the most telling argument in favor of still further extending the suffrage by means of the " Municipal Suffrage Bill for Women." This bill has been brought before the legis- lature for the last ten years, with varying fortunes.
The discussion in the legislature of 1893, over this " Bill for Municipal Suffrage for Women," lasted many hours, and was marked by many and unusually trying inci- dents. Bitterly opposed by some of the members of the legislature, it was ably cham- pioncd by others. After an exciting contest the bill was finally adopted by that body Governor Rich has since signed the bill and it is now a law in Michigan. At first the argument was that women did not want to vote, and would not vote if they had the chance; but, in the meantime, the school election took place in Detroit. The interest and vigor shown by the women, in this election, convinced an objecting member that the women of Michigan do want to vote. When the bill came up the second time, with the educational clause in it, this member voted for it, and his vote carried the bill through the legislature. The law provides:
" That in all school, village and city elections, women who can read the state con- stitution printed in English, shall be allowed to vote for all school, village or city offi- cers, and on all questions pertaining to school, village and city regulations, on the same terms and conditions as prescribed by law for male citizens, if able to read at least one section of the state constitution.
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"That all laws prescribing the qualifications of voters at school, village and city elections, shall apply to women who can read the state constitution, as provided, and they shall enjoy all the rights, privileges and immunities, and their names shall be registered in the same manner, as provided by law for other voters."
It is thus a limited suffrage, for it expressly excepts town, county and state offi- cers. The offices that women may vote for and the offices to which they are now eligible under this law are: Mayor, city clerk, city attorney, city treasurer, five mnem- bers of the board of estimates for the city-at-large, a member of the board of esti- mates for cach ward, an alderman in each ward, a constable in cach ward, and inspec- tors of election in the several precincts.
This law has been held valid by the Supreme court of the state, as not conflicting with the provision in the state constitution, declaring that only male citizens shall be electors; and it is put on this ground: That the constitution makes it the duty of the legislature to provide for a primary school system, and under that provision, the legis- lature passed the provision defining the qualifications of voters under the act. The system being a creature of the legislature, the latter was authorized to pass such reg- ulations in reference to it, as it saw fit. Under this act the women of Michigan have voted for a number of years; have entered into many election contests, and are now sitting as members of our school boards.
The question the lawyers in Michigan are now debating is: Will this provision stand the test of the courts ?*
If this act be constitutional, all fair-minded and thinking people will regard the educational qualification as a good and a prudent measure. It will, no doubt, prove to be the entering wedge for full state suffrage, and, as such, it is of great interest to the whole country. A wise provision it must also be regarded because it gives munic- ipal suffrage to a limited number of women, and to the best class of them, as a sort of preliminary trial. It thus meets the objection that woman suffrage, if granted, will only increase the number of ignorant voters. The bill recognizes woman as a political factor, and from the small majorities now existing between the two great political parties, it practically gives her an opportunity to hold the balance of power in the villages and cities of Michigan. It is one hopeful sign of the new order of things toward which we are evidently tending, that political organizations of women, called Municipal Franchise Leagues, have been formed in different parts of Michigan and are carnestly studying such subjects as: (1) Qualifications of voters; (2) Officers Elective, their requirements, duties and responsibilities; (3) Officers Appointive. their requirements, duties and responsibilities; (4) Common Council; (5) Boards, how constituted and respective duties; (6) City or Village taxes, school taxes and highway taxes; (7) Elections, how conducted; Board of Registration, its duties; (8) Ordinances.
In Detroit a member of the legislature -Representative Shellberg -is addressing meetings of women every Thursday afternoon on such subjects as: (1) The Primary Caucus; (2) Naturalization; (3) The Constitution; (4) Conventions; (5) Regis- tration; (6) How to Vote; (7) The Strength of Independence.
As a result of these different modes of agitation women are forming themselves into political organizations in different parts of Michigan. Everything indicates that they will not be cajoled by political tricksters into furthering the interests of any party or clique if the women of capacity and of sterling integrity, who are the leaders of the movement in Detroit, can help it.
Another hopeful sign of the times is that numbers of noble, thinking men are not only helping women, who are cautiously and timidly groping toward a comprehension and an appreciation of their political rights and civic duties, but they are also giving them freely of their own knowledge and experience, and are aiding them to use this privilege wisely and well.
* The courts have since decided the bill unconstitutional.
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It begins to look very much as though what has seemed but a dream of the future is to become a living reality in the near present, and that good men and good women shall hold the balance of political power in this country, and that good men shall join with good women in an earnest endeavor to bring about a better condition of affairs than now exists. Not only are men helping women in political gatherings, but a gen- erous and chivalrous spirit is also manifested in other directions. At a recent meet- ing of the common council in Detroit Alderman Wright offered the following resolu- tion, which was adopted without debate:
WHEREAS, By a recent act of the legislature the women of this city, under certain restrictions, will be permitted to participate in the coming municipal elections; and
WHEREAS, Inasmuch as it is reasonable to suppose that several thousand of them will participate in the election, be it
Resolved, That it is the sentiment of this body that the said women should be represented upon each municipal election board in order that all the privileges and benefits derived by such representa- tion may be duly accorded to them.
It is amusing to observe how both Republicans and Democrats are now doing their utmost to secure the vote of the women at the approaching fall elections. In a recent interview a prominent politician in Detroit gives it as his opinion that women really do purify politics, and that when it comes to party enthusiasm and systematic work women not only equal men, but even surpass them.
The " Municipal Suffrage Bill for Women in Michigan " has made some enemies, as the following will show:
"The Michigan Liquor Dealers' Association met in delegate convention two hundred and fifty strong, at Arbeiter Hall, Grand Rapids, August 23, and resolved to oppose the law giving women municipal suffrage. In a preliminary circular sent out to the trade some weeks ago, the association says:
"' The last session of the legislature in this state, by giving to the women a fran- chise with an educational restriction, struck a blow directly at our interests and rights. It is only a question of time as to what the inevitable result will be to us, unless we promptly get under one banner and fight shoulder to shoulder for our interests.''
There is one important feature of the situation in Michigan which must not be overlooked, and that is the educational value of this bill toward the attainment of full suffrage for women. The force gained from the success of school suffrage has carried the movement on to the attainment of municipal suffrage. Public opinion must be educated by means of municipal suffrage, so that the attainment of state suffrage first, and afterward federal suffrage, will be only questions of time.
" Now we have a definite purpose to work for: to enlighten women concerning the situation and arouse them to a sense of duty and responsibility to intelligently and judiciously exercise this new privilege and thus make way for their full political enfranchisement," says Mrs. Emily B. Ketchum, President of the Michigan Equal Suffrage Association.
The effect of this municipal suffrage law on the villages and cities in Michigan will be watched with interest by thinkers all over this country and, possibly, all over the world. The hope of its advocates is, that in proportion as the results predicted by its adherents are realized, will men from other states adopt it in their own.
WOMEN IN POLITICS. By MRS. J. ELLEN FOSTER.
When the theory of popular government finds its full development and perfect realization in the American system, woman will hold her natural place in politics.
That she may serve her country today, though dis- franchised, and when she has the ballot in her hand serve better, I earnestly advocate her present partici- pation in politics.
First, what can she do; second, what does she do; third, what will be the result of her doing?
At the basis of all influence and action is knowl- edge. Woman's first duty is to know the system of government under which she lives. United States history, political as well as geographical and social, should be familiar to every intelligent woman. Like a romance reads some portions of it. Woman's con- scientious nature can not fail to find warrant for present obligation and effort in the record of what was done in America's heroic years.
American biography is another fruitful source of information. Not the biography of women alone, but of men who have fought our social, industrial and political battles.
Every contest for better conditions of living bears directly upon the home and the woman in it. MRS. J. ELLEN FOSTER. Ignorance of what security costs lessens appreciation and weakens effort. Every crisis in the state, and even the ordinary conduct of political affairs, is the culmination of causes always operative among men.
Man is the subject of government. Man is the factor in politics. The continuity of woman's political influence is proportioned to her knowledge of man in history and man in the world of today. The woman who is thus equipped as counselor, friend and servant in political affairs possesses unmeasured influence for good.
Not only should she know what has been, but what is. Her brain and heart should be in touch with the tide of human life which flows by her own hearth-stone. She feels for the poor, for the helpless, for the suffering; she gives of her love and her labor for their relief; she should do more, she should follow these interests to the point of society's comprehensive action in law.
It is well to visit and build hospitals; it is better to know what lack of sanitary conditions breeds discase, and by public sentiment coerce political and legislative action which shall substitute conditions of health for such as breed disease.
She should not only weep over the drunkard and his family, but should study the
Mrs. J. Ellen Horton Foster was born in Lowell, Mass. She is the daughter of Rev. Jotham Horton, a Methodist minister. She was educated at Lima, N. Y., and has traveled extensively in Europe and America. In 1869 she married Mr. E. C. Foster, of ('linton, Iowa. She is the mother of four children, two sons and two daughters. The sons only are now living. Mrs. Foster studied law, and was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of Iowa in 1872. She first practiced alone, and afterward formed a partnership with her husband. She became an enthusiastic temperance worker, and abandoned the practice of law largely in that interest. Her legal knowledge has been of great value in securing legislation. Feeling the need of woman's suffrage in the cause of temperance, she became a zealous suffragist. She is a successful and pleasing lecturer, and has published many pamphlets in the interest of temperance. She is a member of the Methodist Church. Her postoffice address is Chicago, Ill.
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problem of temperance legislation, so that the state shall, up to the full measure of public conviction and consequent power, destroy the traffic in intoxicating beverages.
At the point where philanthropic effort seeks the aid of political action and the defense of legislation there is the danger line in woman's political work. If her impulses are not guided by knowledge she will miss her opportunity of usefulness, injure the cause she loves, and incidentally lose prestige as a political factor.
What does she do? Woman's present activity is usually applied to furthering her personal interests or the philanthropic and industrial schemes where her sympa- thies lie, and in securing the ballot for the disfranchised half of American citizens.
These aims are good. Is not a wife a real helpmate if she honorably aids her husband to get to Congress? No patriotic citizen need blush for the desire to sit in the greatest council chamber of the world.
Neither need Iowa women apologize for their part in the political action which drove the saloon out of Iowa, nor for their present determined opposition to its return. They still declare "the saloon shall never again have legal existence in Iowa." The pathos of their cry is pitiful while their hands are ballotless; but their political power to a limited degree is admitted by friend and foe.
What does woman do? I dare assert that woman's political influence has been a necessary factor in the progressive legislation which distinguishes our time; and with ยท even more emphasis I declare that if she were more studious of political conditions, and more persistent in behalf of her convictions on political questions, she might remedy many existing defects in the conduct of public affairs. The men in politics who love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil, have occasion to dread the light which women's tongues let in on their devious ways.
I repudiate the sentiment which declares that a woman need have no political convictions and need give no political service until she is enfranchised; while I can not understand how any self-respecting patriotic woman can be content without the scepter of freedom in this republic, I still remember how much women owe to the system of government under the flag, and remember those to whom much is given, of them much is required; and that he who is faithful in a few things shall be made ruler over many things.
What will the result be? This enlargement of woman's activities will make her stronger and purer in her home. Stagnant waters are foul, the swiftest, deepest cur- rent is the purest.
Woman is most to her home when she contains the most in herself She will be a defense to her home against the world, the flesh and the devil, just in proportion as she is able to meet the world on its many sided attacks.
A NEW FIELD FOR WOMEN. By MRS. JULIA EDWARDS SHERMAN.
" From the rising of the sun even until the going down of the same," the marvel of life and the mystery of death is an ever discussed and ever unsettled question. One of intense, of unending interest, but happily not so hopeless of solution is the so-called " woman ques- tion.'
MRS. JULIA EDWARDS SHERMAN.
Man and his destiny and mission we accept as any every-day fact. We expect him to work, to be strong mentally and physically. He has, as a matter of course, to do with industrial, educational and polit- ical life. Business and moneyed interests, from little to big, seem his born province. From the dawn of creation it was clearly demonstrated that man was to till the soil, blast the rock, hew the timber. He was to be preacher, teacher, merchant, a skilled artificer: and nowadays when he chooses to encroach upon our domain we even accept him without hue and cry as our dressmaker and our domestic, and we must say that we usually like him in these capacities and wish there were more of him. I wonder if he would as gracefully accept us as his tailor? Sometimes as "lord of creation" we honor and admire man, and we always used to love and marry him, but alas! for poor man! such cases threaten to become rather sporadic.
But woman and her province! What an unending subject! In times long past, save in her own narrow sphere, ostracized and ignored; in times present, revered and honored. What she is, what she ought to be and do, what she will be and do, are topics inexhaustible, of talk, thought and song.
" Fair Woman's World" is no longer confined to the fashionable and social col- umns of our leading journals; but under educational, professional and political notes, her frequent and usually worthy mention is no longer ignored, and when she is over- looked, why all that she has to do is to start a newspaper of her own devoted entirely to her own interests.
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