governor appoint unmarried women. A woman who has been so
unfortunate as to be a widow would not be objectionable.

The article says: "Women over twenty-one years shall be
eligible" to these offices. It does not say the legislature
may make them "eligible." By its own inherent force it
declares them eligible. If they are really eligible, then
why not have them selected and appointed? They have every
requisite for the office, and as the dictionary says, are
"proper to be chosen." They are "qualified to be elected."
They are "legally qualified." They are eligible. It is not
at all likely that the legislature will ever do the vain
thing of affirming a constitutional right so explicitly
given.

The opposition of the executive, therefore, seems to be a
bar not only to this provision being carried out, but also
to the raising of any question under it for the
consideration of the judiciary. It is confidently hoped and
expected that he will consent to reconsider the whole
question. We feel sure the governor will not intentionally
be guilty of any injustice to the women of Louisiana, and
will not desire to withhold any benefit from them which has
already been conferred by the State constitution. Women all
over the Union rejoiced when this generous concession was
granted here in Louisiana. In many other States they enjoy
the same, and greater privileges, and letters and inquiries
have come from distant States, asking why this law has not
gone into effect. We are aware that any reform changing
existing conditions must move slowly, and is apt to be
unpopular with men in authority; then it also antagonizes
the inertia of women, who are too modest to thrust
themselves forward, saying, "I am ready to serve the State";
yet they know all the time they can do good service in
relation to the schools. Only give them a kindly helping
hand, and we feel sure that a valuable cooeperating influence
will be felt, of which no one has ever dreamed in the past.
We leave this matter to the governor, to the citizens of
Louisiana, and to the fathers who take a deep interest in
the welfa