ing a new
Constitution:_

The undersigned, citizens of the State of Louisiana,
respectfully represent:

That up to the present time all women, of whatever age or
capacity, have been debarred from the right of
representation, notwithstanding the burdensome taxes which
they have paid.

They have been excluded from holding any office save in
cases of special tutorships in limited degree, or of
administration only in specified cases.

They have been debarred from being witnesses to wills or
notarial acts, even when executed by their own sex.

They look upon this condition of things as a grievance
proper to be brought before your honorable body for
consideration and relief.

As a question of civilization, we look upon the
enfranchisement of women as an all-important one. In
Wyoming, where it has been tried for ten years, the
law-makers and clergy unite in declaring that this influx of
women voters has done more to promote morality and order
than thousands of armed men could have accomplished.

Should the entire franchise seem too extended a privilege,
we most earnestly urge the adoption of a property
qualification, and that women may be allowed a vote on
school and educational matters, involving as they do the
interests of women and children in a great degree.

So large a proportion of the taxes of Louisiana is paid by
women, many of them without male representatives, that in
granting consideration and relief for grievances herein
complained of, the people will recognize justice and equity.
To woman as well as man "taxation without representation is
tyranny," she being "a person, a citizen, a freeholder, a
tax-payer," the same as man, only government has never held
out the same fostering, protecting hand to all alike, nor
ever will, until women are directly represented.

Wherefore, we, your petitioners, pray that some suitable
provision remedying these evils be incorporated in the
constitution you are about to frame.

While this petition was being circulated, favorable articles
appeared from time to time in the public prints. The