hey had had
it would not have amounted to anything. Would the Senator argue
from that, that they had no natural rights, or that they were
consenting to their bondage? When you take into consideration the
fact that men have all "political power and all the other sources
of influence and power over women," it is not very strange
perhaps that a majority of them are not asking for the right of
suffrage. Some women at least are asking for it; I know that very
many women all over the country believe they have the right to
vote and ought to vote who never go near a political meeting and
never sign petitions or anything of that kind. I would be willing
to-day to submit the question to the votes of the women of the
United States whether they should have that privilege or not. But
suppose that a majority do not want the ballot, how does that
affect the rights of the minority who do want it? One woman can
not consent for another.

I believe women will never have their rights in this country,
will never enjoy the same means for taking care of themselves and
making an honest living in the world, until they have the right
to vote. As soon as they have that right you will find they will
be placed upon an equality with men. The Senator from California
refers to the fact, and it is a notorious fact, that in every
State in this Union, women are paid only about one-half for the
same quantity and the same kind of labor that men receive. Does
any man say that there is any sense or any justice in that
distinction? Will that ever be remedied until woman has the right
to vote? It never will.

I believe, Mr. President, in every point of view the right of
suffrage should be extended to woman. I maintain that it is a
God-given right to take part in the administration of that
government which controls their earthly destinies and interests.
I believe it is for the interest of the men, for the interest of
children, for the interest of our country, for the interest of
the race.

Mr. EDMUNDS: I could name a dozen instances all of which show
that in all the States of this Union, speaking as a general rule,
as it is in Great Britain and in almost all other civilized
countries, the law, instead of discriminating against womanhood,
discriminates in its favor in eve