FEMALE SUFFRAGE IN WYOMING.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1612, 21 April 1879, Page 4

FEMALE SUFFRAGE IN WYOMING.

The Rev. S. Edger sends the following to the “ Auckland Herald ” :

Ten years’ trial of woman suffrage in the territory of Wyoming has resulted in a pronounced success. Hero is some important and trustworthy testimony on the subject. The “ Cheyenne Leader,” in giving a history of the introduction of woman suffrage into the Territory, says:— “ Ten years’ experience has taught us that woman suffrage in Wyoming is a success. It has made us a better and more law-abiding people ; it has been an incentive to elevate us, and all our pursuits and interests with which our wives, sisters, and mothers have identified themselves ; it has been the means of bestowing life and health on the whole body politic. The most sanguine anticipations of the most ardent friends of woman suffrage have been realised here in Wyoming; and this should hasten the day when the refining and elevating influence of women shall be as clearly manifested throughout the Union as it is at present in this the youngest of Uncle Sam’s dominions.”

The present Governor of the territory, Professor John W. Hoyt, who has the reputation of being a man of excellent learning and judgment, says : “ After much inquiry in all sections of the territory, and careful observations of its practical workings, I have to say that so far the facts are almost wholly on the side of woman suffrage. The right I never questioned. To my mind that is indeed unquestionable. More, it is sure of ultimate, if not early, recognition by every enlightened community. Arbitrary direction of prerogatives by the physicaly stronger to the weaker sex, is a relic of barbarism. It can have no place in a true civilization.” The most conservative of American newspapers, the “New York Observer,” prints a letter from a lady, written in response to the editor’s request for information. The following are extracts from the letter ; “The women of Wyoming, and particularly the better class, as highly prize, and generally exercise, the right of suffrage as do the n on. The elections here are conducted ai quietly and decorously as any other public gatherings, and I have finally concluded that, if the sexes can associate together with impunity in the home, the school, the church, the social gatherings, and in every relation of life from the cradle to the grave, woman need not be seriously demoralised by her momentary association with her husband, father, lover, and brother at the polls. Almost every lady here is not only reconciled to, but highly gratified with, the result of woman suffrage in Wyoming. The only elements that would desire its appeal are the vicious and corrupt, —those who fear not God nor regard man. The women hold the balance of power, and the politicians know it. Both political parties have como to recognise the necessity of nominating their best men, or, at least, not nominating bad men, if they would succeed. More than one instance has come under mv own observation where corrupt or immoral men have been defeated by the direct influence of woman suffrage. If I had fime I should like to draw for you a true picture of the result of woman’s influence (backed by the ballot) upon our schools, in the jury box, and in all the relations of life—social and political. I believe the results of the experiment in Wyoming have demonstrated that woman’s influence in the government of the State is just as beneficial as in the government of the f'arnilv.”

Lastly, the Hon, J. W. Kingman, of Wyoming, contributes to the “ Boston Sunday Herald” a thorough review of the operation of woman suffrage at the recent election in the Territory, and bears witness to the results of the experiment in the following terms : “ Our women do vote, and they appreciate the privilege as highly as the men do. Our best and most cultivated women vote, and vote and independently, and they cannot be bought with whisky, or blended by party prejudice, or wheedled by

social influence. They arc making themselves felt at the polls as they do everywhere else in society by a quiet but effectual discountenancing of the bad, and a helping hand for the good and the true. Wo are all beginning to feel and appreciate their power, and the direction in which it is sure to be exerted. It will not be long before our caucuses and our candidates will understand that the nomination of a debauchee, or a gambler, or a drunkard, means defeat, and that a man who expects to be elected to any office in Wyoming Territory must have a good private character and a clean record.”