xtension of suffrage. The thanks of the women of the
Nation are especially due to Senator Cowan for his motion to
strike out the word "male," and to the nine distinguished
Senators who voted for his amendment. It was pleasant to see into
what fraternal relations this question at once brought all
opposing elements. The very able and exhaustive manner in which
both Republicans and Democrats pressed their claims to the
ballot, through two entire sessions of the Senate, is most
encouraging to the advocates of the political rights of women.

In view of this liberal discussion in the Senate, and the recent
action of Congress on the Territories, it is rather singular that
our Republican Governor, in referring to the Constitutional
Convention in his late message, while recommending consideration
of many minor matters, should have failed to call attention to
Art. 2d, Sec. 1, of the Constitution, which denies the
fundamental rights of citizenship. As the executive head of the
party in this State whose political capital is "negro suffrage,"
it would have been highly proper for our worthy Governor to have
given his opinion on that odious $250 clause in the Constitution.
No doubt our judiciary, our criminal legislation, our city
governments need reforming; our railroads, prisons and schools
need attention; but all these are of minor consideration to the
personal and property rights of the man himself. Said Lalor
Shiels, in the House of Commons, "strike the Constitution to the
center and the lawyer sleeps in his closet. But touch the cobwebs
in Westminster Hall and the spiders start from their hiding
places."

I have called your attention, gentlemen, to some of the flaws in
your Constitution that you may see that there is more important
work to be done in the coming Convention than any to which
Governor Fenton has referred in his message. I would also call
your attention to the fact, that while His Excellency suggests
the number of delegates at large to be chosen by the two
political parties, he makes no provision for the representatives
of women and "men of color" not worth $250. I would, therefore,
suggest to your honorable body that you provide for the election
of an equal number of delegates at large from the disfranchised
classes. But a response