2023 - O/N - 9489/13 | Q1

This Government is faced with great danger, and that danger cannot be avoided by bringing in protection or free trade. That danger lies in the votes possessed by the males in the slums of the cities, and by ignorant foreign immigrants. These are the votes which political parties bid for to ensure political success. There is only one way to avoid the danger – take away the vote of the slums and immigrants and give it to educated women. They suffer most without it, and the vote will give them power to protect themselves. All who desire good government will benefit by granting the vote to women and cutting the vote of the slums. It will end the power of corrupt bosses in our cities.

From a speech made by a leading woman campaigner for female emancipation, 15 December 1894.

There was a public debate yesterday in New York between prominent women opponents and supporters of female emancipation. The opponents argued that their churches did not support the idea on religious grounds. They expressed the fear that enfranchising women of the lower classes would lead to greater corruption in politics. Women would be more likely to believe the promises of politicians. The supporters of emancipation argued passionately for the right to vote, emphasising the great improvements that had been gained in terms of reform in those States which allowed women the vote. There had been a great decline in corruption and increased spending on schools. They maintained that opposition came largely from the monopolists who dominated Congress seeking to maintain their economic supremacy. While the Republican Party remains largely under the control of those who oppose emancipation, it was mentioned that the Democratic Party is increasingly inclined to support it in order to increase its representation in Congress.

From an article in the New York Tribune, October 1908.

The two dominating influences in politics today are the trusts and the liquor interest. The government finds in them an endless source of revenue. They control millions of votes. There are few members of Congress who do not owe their election to their influence. They see the emancipated woman as a determined enemy. They see her as incorruptible. No dominant political party can see any advantage to the enfranchisement of women, so Congress will ignore it. Their opposition is primarily for political reasons. Neither Democrat nor Republican will make it an issue. The aristocracy observe the large families of the working classes and fear to give them any more political power. The churches are largely hostile for social rather than religious reasons. Justice and morality demand that women obtain the vote. We are educated and are responsible for the education and upbringing of our children and we have contributed much to creating the greatness that is America.

From an article by a leading campaigner for female emancipation titled ‘Why women cannot vote in the United States’, December 1912.

A vote is like a rifle, its usefulness depends on the character of the user. The mere possession of the vote will no more benefit men and women not sufficiently developed to use it than the possession of a rifle will turn an untrained youth into a good soldier. This is as true of women as it is of men. Universal suffrage in Haiti has not made the Haitians able to govern themselves better. Universal suffrage in Utah has not affected in any way the real problem of men taking several wives. I believe in suffrage for women in America as I think they are fit for it. I firmly believe more in the duty of fitting oneself to do well and wisely in the ballot rather than I do in any ‘natural’ right to the ballot. Women are as capable of preparing themselves for the vote as men.

From Theodore Roosevelt’s autobiography published in 1913.