ws, was delegated to a
people, strangers to each other, with very little experience or
knowledge in such matters, and composed of various nationalities,
with a very large percentage of the criminal classes. It is a
matter of surprise that they should have so soon settled
themselves into an orderly community, where all the rights of
person and property are well protected, and as carefully guarded
and fully respected as in any of our old eastern commonwealths.
It is a still greater surprise that a legislature selected by
such a constituency, under such circumstances as characterized
our first election, and composed of such men as were in fact
elected, should have been able to enact a body of laws
containing so much that was good and practicable, and so little
that was injudicious, unwise or vicious.

In the next place, it is evident that there was no public
sentiment demanding the passage of the woman suffrage law, and
but few advocates of it at that time in the territory; that its
adoption, under such circumstances, was not calculated to give it
a fair chance to exert a favorable influence in the community, or
even maintain itself among the permanent customs and laws of the
territory. The prospect was, that it would either remain a dead
letter, or be swept away under the ridicule and abuse of the
press, and the open attacks of its enemies. But it has withstood
all these adverse forces, and from small beginnings has grown to
be a permanent power in our politics, a vital institution,
satisfactory to all our people. The far-reaching benefits it will
yet accomplish can be easily foreseen. To make either individuals
or classes respected and induce them to respect themselves, you
must give them power and influence, a fair field and full
enjoyment of the results of their labors. We have made a very
creditable beginning in this direction, so far as woman is
concerned, and we have no doubts about the outcome of it. Wyoming
treats all her citizens alike, and offers full protection, equal
rewards, and equal power, to both men and women.

Again it is very evident that while our women take no active part
in the primary nomination of candidates for office, they exercise
a most potent influence by the independent manner in which they
vote, and the sign