The History of Woman Suffrage, Volume IV

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

29870

Title

The History of Woman Suffrage, Volume IV

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Edited by Susan B. Anthony and Ida Husted Harper, this volume chronicles the woman suffrage movement from 1883 to 1900. It details legislative victories in Kansas and Washington Territory, analyzes voting patterns, and addresses contemporary arguments for and against female enfranchisement.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in 1902 and edited by Susan B. Anthony and Ida Husted Harper, Volume IV of 'The History of Woman Suffrage' chronicles the movement's critical transition from theoretical debate to tangible legislative success between 1883 and 1900. The volume serves as both a comprehensive historical record and a vigorous defense of women's political rights against prevailing opposition. A central narrative focus is the granting of municipal suffrage in Kansas in 1887, a milestone that attracted national attention despite initial confusion and hostile press coverage. Statistical analysis within the text demonstrates that women voters maintained high registration rates and prioritized issues concerning education, home welfare, and moral reform over partisan politics. The work further details Washington Territory's extension of full voting rights, noting that since enfranchisement, nature continued its course without disruption to marriage or family structures, while civic standards were elevated. A substantial portion of the volume is dedicated to rebutting late 19th-century arguments claiming suffrage would disrupt domestic harmony or that women were too emotional for public life. Through transcripts of Congressional debates, the text presents counter-arguments asserting that women's participation enhances civic standards without harming family structures. The authors address legal complexities, explaining how even with voting rights, women often lacked direct influence over police appointments and liquor laws due to gubernatorial appointments rather than elected offices. Despite these limitations, the volume emphasizes that municipal suffrage developed a stronger sense of civic responsibility among women and familiarized men with their presence at the polls. The text highlights the immense dedication of its editors, who spent a decade compiling letters, speeches, and newspaper clippings without modern technological aids like typewriters or stenographers. The narrative underscores that this labor was driven by a desire to preserve the story of pioneers struggling against prejudice for civil, legal, and political equality. The volume stands as an enduring testament to these efforts, documenting how women voters in Kansas and other jurisdictions consistently demonstrated their influence on issues affecting children and home environments, effectively demolishing old objections and proving that the predicted evils of suffrage never materialized.

LLM editorial rating

4.5/5

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Categories

• History
• Politics