ve
government, and in this State, at least, has resulted in none of
the evils prophesied. It has not been the fruitful source of
family disagreements feared. It has not lowered womanhood. Women
do generally take advantage of the right to vote, and vote
intelligently. It has been years since we have had trouble at the
polls--quiet and order, in my opinion, being due to two causes,
the presence of women and our efficient election laws. One
important feature I might mention, and that is, in view of the
woman vote, no party dare nominate notoriously immoral men, for
fear of defeat by that vote. Regarding the adoption of the system
in other States I see no reason why its operation should not be
generally the same elsewhere as it is with us. It is surely true
that after many years' experience, Wyoming would not be content
to return to the old limits, as, in our opinion, the absence of
ill results is conclusive proof of the wisdom of the proposition.

In 1896 the Hon. H. V. S. Groesbeck, Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court, thus summed up the results of twenty-seven years' experience:

1. Woman suffrage has been weighed and not found wanting. Adopted
by a statute passed by the first legislative Assembly of the
Territory, in 1869, and approved by the Governor, it has
continued without interruption and with but one unsuccessful
demand for the repeal of the law. The constitutional convention
which assembled in 1889 adopted the equal suffrage provision and
refused to submit the question to a separate vote by a large
majority. The continuance of the measure for nearly a quarter of
a century, and the determination to incorporate it in the
fundamental law, even at the risk of failing to secure Statehood,
are the strongest arguments of its benefit and permanency.

2. It has tended to secure good nominations for the public
offices. The women as a class will not knowingly vote for
incompetent, immoral or inefficient candidates.

3. It has tended to make the women self-reliant and independent,
and to turn their attention to the study of the science of
government--an education that is needed by the mothers of the
race.

4. It has made our elections quiet and orderly. No rudeness,
brawling or disorder appears or would be tolerated at the polling
booths. Ther