Government that is over all. Mr. President, I am of those who
believe that they will. When I look around on the incongruities
and corruptions that surround our present system, when I see what
politics and government and administration actually are, if I
believed there was to be no progress in that direction I should
be bereft of all hope and desolate of faith. On the contrary,
methinks I can see in the adown vista of the future the golden
apples hanging on the tree of promise. It seems to me that the
light of the morning is already streaming in upon us that shall
illuminate further advancements in the science of government. And
why should not even Republican government take to itself other
modes of administration without infraction of its fundamental
liberties? Why should not large reductions transpire in those
opportunities that invite the most sinister combination for
offices and spoils? Is there any reason why the emoluments of
place should more than repay the labor it calls for? Is there any
reason why large abolitions of executive patronage may not
transpire; why Government may not generate through examining
commissioners, best agencies of its own for the functional work
it is called to perform, leaving appeals to the community to pass
rather upon controlling measures and general policies and
legislative functionaries? Is there any reason why that should
not take place? Sir, already, if I mistake not, in the large
cities of this land, which are the local points of your domestic
political system, the necessity for such a change is being felt
and acted upon, and large branches of executive work and
supervision are being necessarily put in commission. Mr.
President, I think what I have said sufficiently shows that the
argument which is advanced, that the present surroundings are
such that woman could not properly participate in your elections,
is an argument that does not go to the right of the woman, but
does go to the wrong of the man. It is a criticism, perhaps a
satire upon the civilization of your political system, not a
justification for any exclusions practiced under it.

There is one other line of remark that has been indulged in, and
only one other so far as I have heard, which calls for any
special rejoinder, and that affirms the