suffrage for men and women in the District of Columbia,
under the immediate supervision of congress, would
demonstrate to the people of the whole country that justice
to women is policy for men; and whereas the women of the
United States are governed without their own consent, are
denied trial by a jury of their peers, are taxed without
representation, and are subject to manifold wrongs resulting
from unjust and arbitrary exercise of power over an
unrepresented class; and whereas in this centennial year of
the republic the spirit of 1776 is breathing its influence
upon the people, melting away prejudices and animosities and
infusing into our national councils a finer sense of justice
and a clearer perception of individual rights; therefore,

We pray your honorable body to establish a government for
the District of Columbia which shall secure to its women the
right to vote.

Mr. SARGEANT: Even if this document were not accompanied by the
signatures of eminent ladies known throughout the land for their
virtues, intelligence and high character, the considerations
which it presents would be worthy of the attention of the senate.
I have no doubt that the great movement of which this is a part
will prevail. It is working its progress day by day throughout
the country. It is making itself felt both in social and
political life. The petitioners here well say that there has been
a successful experiment of the exercise of female suffrage in one
of our territories; that a territory has been redeemed from
lawlessness; that the judges, the press, the people generally of
Wyoming approve the results of this great experiment. I know of
no better place than the capital of a nation where a more
decisive trial can be made, if such is needed, to establish the
expediency of woman suffrage. As to its justice, who shall deny
it? I ask, for the purpose of due consideration, that this
petition be referred to the Committee on the District of
Columbia, so that in preparing any scheme for the government of
the District which is likely to come before this congress, due
weight may be given to the considerations presented.

The PRESIDENT _pro tempore_: The petition will be referred to the