Woman Suffrage by Federal Constitutional Amendment | Page 2

male suffrage by this easy means.
CHAPTER III
21
ELECTION LAWS AND REFERENDA

By CARRIE CHAPMAN CATT
State Election Laws defective. Many state suffrage amendments
undoubtedly lost by frauds in elections. In twenty-four states election
law or precedents offer no correction of returns in fraudulent
amendment elections. In twenty-three states Contest on election returns
probably possible. In eight states recount of votes made. A court
procedure and expensive. Punishment for bribery. Relation to Contest.
Ohio cases. Vagueness of election laws protects corruption. Ignorant
vote used by corrupt. Form of ballot often helps corruption. Only 13
states have headless ballots. Form of Suffrage amendment ballots in
recent years aided in defeat of measure. Examples. Non-partisan
referendum not protected from fraud like party questions. In most states
women cannot be watchers at polls. Aliens can vote in eight states.
Illiterate can vote in most states. Résumé.
CHAPTER IV
36
THE STORY OF THE 1916 REFERENDA
By CARRIE CHAPMAN CATT
Three states voted on Woman Suffrage amendments. Some causes of
failure. Story of Iowa election. Woman's Christian Temperance Union
proves forty-seven varieties of corruption. South Dakota. Foreign vote
defeated Woman Suffrage there. Figures of some counties. Relation
between Prohibition and Woman Suffrage votes. West Virginia.
Illiteracy and conservatism defeated Woman Suffrage there. Liquor
influence felt. Corruption in Berkely County, West Virginia. Special
Legislative session called but investigation of frauds abandoned.
Analysis of vote of certain counties. Résumé.
CHAPTER V
55

FEDERAL ACTION AND STATES RIGHTS
By HENRY WADE ROGERS
Judge of U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, N.Y.C.
Would Federal Amendment violate local self-government or conflict
with State Rights? States rights a sound doctrine, but has been
perverted, misapplied and carried to extremes. Henry St. George
Tucker maintains this way of gaining woman suffrage is contrary to
rightful demarcation of powers of federal and state governments.
Constitutional Convention 1787 provided that amendments be ratified
by three-fourths State Legislatures, State Constitutions may not violate
United States Constitution for this is supreme Law. Amendment to U.S.
Constitution valid regardless of provisions in State Constitutions.
Ratification by State Legislatures does not violate States rights for by it
states act as sovereigns. Same argument for removal of sex line in
Suffrage as that on which 13th, 14th and 15th amendments were based.
15th amendment gives the sound basis for woman suffrage amendment.
CHAPTER VI
69
OBJECTIONS TO THE FEDERAL AMENDMENT By CARRIE
CHAPMAN CATT
States Rights objection discussed. U.S. Constitution twice amended
recently under Democratic administration. Federal Prohibition
Amendment introduced by Southern Democrat. Even if all state
constitutions gave woman suffrage U.S. Constitution would contain
discrimination against women in word "male." Objection that woman
suffrage will increase Negro vote. If true, would be objection also to
State suffrage amendment. White supremacy will be strengthened by
woman suffrage. Discussion of figures of Negro and white population
in 15 southern states. Testimony of Chief Justice Walter E. Clark.
Objection that women do not want the vote. Men of 21 and naturalized
citizens become voters without being asked. Only those who wish to

need use the vote. That many women do want the vote is shown by
western figures in election of November, 1916. Objection that
unfavorable referenda in various states show that constituency has
instructed its representatives in Congress against woman suffrage.
Unfavorable majority against a suffrage amendment is in reality a
minority of constituency. Objection on ground of political expediency.
Meaning of this argument as used by different interests. If government
"by the people" is expedient, then government by all the people is
expedient. If Government by certain classes is better, then basis of
franchise should, be morality and education, not sex. Objection that
Woman Suffrage will increase corrupt vote. Woman Suffrage will
increase intelligent electorate. Statistics. It will increase the moral vote.
Only one in twenty criminals is a woman. Election conditions in equal
suffrage states. Objection that Prohibition sentiment is stronger than
Suffrage sentiment since former has spread faster. Prohibition can be
established by statute and by local option and suffrage cannot.
CHAPTER I
WHY THE FEDERAL AMENDMENT?
Woman Suffrage is coming--no intelligent person in the United States
or in the world will deny that fact. The most an intelligent opponent
expects to accomplish is to postpone its establishment as long as
possible. When it will come and how it will come are still open
questions. Woman Suffrage by Federal Amendment is supported by
seven main reasons. These main reasons are evaded or avoided; they
are not answered.
1. KEEPING PACE WITH OTHER COUNTRIES DEMANDS IT.
Suffrage for men and suffrage for women in other lands, with few and
minor exceptions, has been granted by parliamentary act and not by
referenda. By such enactment the women of Australia were granted full
suffrage in Federal elections by the Federal Parliament (1902), and
each State or Province granted full suffrage in all