power of capital and the excesses of labor, we need a deeply rooted faith in our own institutions, a passionate love of justice. We can not destroy the ideals of the Nation; we can not insist that the Declaration of Independence is wrong; we can not govern millions of men outside the Constitution-and hope to preserve, in full strength, that faith in the equal rights of men which is the soul of this Nation. Every man who defends these things has begun to lose his belief; and, while years may elapse without a change in the external form of government, no one can tell when some crisis will find our people as glad to welcome a strong man as the French were to receive a new Napoleon. Let us cling fast to our faith, and regard him who would weaken it as an enemy to his country.

The time will come, if this Republic is to endure, when an overwhelming public sentiment will make itself felt, and we shall do what every true American in his heart would like to have his country do give the Filipinos their freedom, and thus regain that proud position amoung the nations of the world which we have lost-the moral leadership of mankind-becoming again, in the words of Aguinaldo, "the great nation, North America, Cradle of Liberty," beneath whose flag, wherever it floats in this wide world, there is no room for a subject, but a sure refuge for every man who desires that freedom which is the birthright of every human being.

Has not that time come now? The Democratic Party has given its promise, and the people have placed it in power. Can it now turn back? If it does, upon its head will rest all the disastrous consequences which have ever followed the attempt of one people to hold another in subjection.

O

1st Session

SENATE

No. 160

WOMAN SUFFRAGE

ADDRESS

OPPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES EXTENDING THE RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE TO WOMAN

WRITTEN FOR PRESENTATION
TO THE

COMMITTEE ON WOMAN SUFFRAGE

UNITED STATES SENATE

BY

MISS ANNIE BOCK

OF LOS ANGELES, CAL.

PRESENTED BY MR. MARTINE

AUGUST 9, 1913.-Ordered to be printed

WASHINGTON

WOMAN SUFFRAGE.

GENTLEMEN: It is with a feeling of great temerity that I appear before you. There are two reasons: First, I might say it is my first appearance, for previous to this I have only twice before attempted to address an audience and on those occasions the audiences were composed of women. Second, I think it is acceded that it takes some fortitude to come out and acknowledge that one has been in the wrong. After due observation, study, and deliberation, I am willing to make such confession.

As secretary of the California Political Equality League, the largest suffrage organization in California, also secretary of the College Equal Suffrage League, and in many other capacities, such as obtaining speakers, etc., I gave without remuneration over a year of my life working for suffrage. I say without remuneration, because some women received compensation and others received their expenses.

Right here permit me to say that I have come across the country to speak to you without the knowledge or sanction of any club or any individual. No one sends me; no organization pays my way. I have come because I feel I was in a measure instrumental in bringing suffrage in California, and I want to tell you that if I had it to do over again I would work twice as hard, if that were possible, against it.

As a member of 10 clubs and organizations and press chairman for southern California for the State Federation of Women's Clubs, also as registrar, precinct captain, worker at headquarters and at the polls, I have had more than ordinary opportunity to observe and watch the workings of suffrage, and I consider the result not only unsatisfactory and disappointing, but disastrous. It is most unsatisfactory because what was surmised has been demonstratedthat the majority of women not only do not care to vote but have no interest whatever in suffrage. The New York woman who came out to California and found that women did not turn out well at the polls-that suffrage is a failure-found out the truth.

At the first election in Los Angeles the women turned out fairly well. It was a novelty. Women of the Socialist Party are always on deck, but the majority of the others who vote require urging. It is the constant agitation of the same few going about the country that keeps the question before the public and leads some to think the desire for it is general.

After the California women had suffrage the California suffragists did not wait to see how it worked, but they continued for many months to send out suffrage literature and urge their sisters in other States to action. Just recently they sent out some workers to initiate the New York women in the California modus operandi. Suffragists assert that women will purify politics. On the contrary, I have found that women in politics are no better than men.

The women of Colorado have had suffrage nearly 20 yearslong enough, sure, so that the women might have corrected some of the evils which they are boasting will disappear when women have the ballot. You will find statements conflicting, but from what I have seen I do not believe the women of Colorado are any better off economically or in any other way than the women of the worst antisuffrage State. I do not ask you to take my word for it, neither do I wish you to take anyone else's word, but go to Denver and see for yourself.

Suffrage robs women of all that is gentle, tender, attractive. I have seen it and I have every reason to believe it and to be impressed by it, for people have had-I do not know whether you would call itthe audacity, temerity, or kindness to tell me "Suffrage has spoiled you."

There is a subtle something abroad which one can better feel than describe. Woman suffrage in California brought women into too familiar contact with men. She has her rights now; she is equal to him on his level. Where previously men were generally courteous, now they are rude. For instance, they make a mad dash for a car and then let the women stand. They smoke in elevators and do many little things that not only etiquette forbids, but on which the finer sensibilities of a gentleman would frown.

Wilton Lackaye was invited to dine at the Friday Morning Club and gave an after-dinner talk to the ladies. He began his talk by insinuatingly and jokingly remarking: "Yes; I believe in suffrage. It is so much easier to talk to you, because women before were on an exalted pedestal; now they are on an equality." His further remarks I do not care to repeat.

A woman lobbyist, speaking of the difference in treatment accorded her at Sacramento previous to having suffrage and after, said: "My treatment then and now demonstrates the difference between influence and power. I have the ballot now and do you know all these weeks I have been at Sacramento I have scarcely had to pay for a meal." Gentlemen, I will let you make your mental comments. Oh, I detest suffrage.

Woman suffragists will almost make one believe suffrage has been a great success in California. But, honor bright, if you analyze what they say, you will find all the success they talk about is mere assertion. Ask them point-blank to explain and show in what way it is a success and they can't do it, because there is nothing to tell, nothing to show, nothing to explain that would in any way uphold suffrage, unless, perchance, you consider a wild scamper to urge all the measures that tend to State paternalism means success.

One woman lobbyist, who has secured a remunerative position through suffrage, thus discoursed at a woman's club: "I am proud that suffrage has made good," she said. Again we have an assertion without explanation. She may have been thinking how she and some other women were making a living out of the cause. The audience did not seem to care how suffrage had made good but just applauded. "I see great possibilities of development. Women's clubs seem the natural channel for this development," she continued. "Woman must have a voice on the floor of the legislature. It will be an awful ordeal for a woman. I do not know whether we will be able to find one who can be induced to run for this office, but, until