. They are, as you
well know, already recognized as citizens of the State
according to the laws of the United States. They are now
taxed for all purposes of public interest as well as the
men. But they are not represented in the legislature, nor in
any branch of the State government, thus affording a great
example, and an unjust one for women, of taxation without
representation, which our fathers declared to be tyranny;
and which is contrary to the genius of our republican
institutions, and to the general polity of this
commonwealth. Women are also governed, while they have no
direct voice in the government, and made subject to laws
affecting their property, their personal rights and liberty,
in whose enactment they have no voice.

We therefore petition your honorable body, that in preparing
a new constitution, to be submitted for adoption or
rejection by the people of this State, you will strike out
the word "male" from the article defining the qualifications
of electors; or if deemed best by you, will provide for the
separate submission of an article for the enfranchisement of
the women of Michigan, giving them equal rights and
privileges with the men. By thus taking the lead of the
States of the Union, to more fully secure the personal
rights of all the citizens, you will show yourselves in
harmony with the spirit of the age and worthy to be called
pioneers in this cause, as you are already most honorably
accounted pioneers in your educational system, which affords
equal and impartial advantages to the population of our
State, irrespective of sex or condition in life--thus aiming
to elevate the entire people to the highest practicable
plane of intelligence and true civilization.

By order, and in the name of the Michigan Woman Suffrage
Association.

LUCINDA H. STONE, _Corresponding Secretary._

Mrs. A. H. WALKER, _President._

On March 14, the joint committee made the following report:

The committees on State affairs and elections, to whom was
referred the joint resolution proposing an amendment to
section I, article VII