pass, and as a measure of justice it has gained much in popularity since its adoption by our people."
Wm. Balderston, editor of the Boise Statesman, says: "Women constitute a great reserve force, exerting itself on the right side at the ballot-box whenever important issues are to be decided."
Every governor of Wyoming since 1869 declares equal suffrage has been a benefit to the state. Women have voted in Wyoming for 30 years, and the present governor, Wm. A. Richards, says: "In my judgment the influence of women upon elections is good. In order to secure their vote at the polls it is necessary to nominate good men."
The legislature of Colorado adopted resolutions at its last assembly indorsing equal suffrage by a practically unanimous vote and cordially recommended its adoption by every state in the Union.
The Woman's Club movement in the newly-enfranchised states is considered a potent factor in creating the hearty indorsement of equal suffrage by politicians, press, pulpit and people. The leading club women of Denver, Cheyenne and Boise are all leading suffragists, although most of them were not widely known as such till a short time before the vote was taken, when, with true patriotic purpose they united in a social organization for the equal suffrage campaign, as will be done in Oregon, later on.
The public-spirited men of Oregon need no arguments in support of the pending amendment to enfranchise women. All know that equal suffrage is coming, that its advent is inevitable; and they are not disposed to allow any other state to lead our cause to victory in the dawn of the new century and leave Oregon to bring up the rear.
Ours is not a sectarian, nor is it a political question. It stands before the people on its own merits. It is the representative of nobody's fad, the exponent of nobody's ism. In each of the states where women vote the fad and the ism have alike lost footing and no longer flourish. Liberty has proved an unfailing antidote for the sentimental politics of woman, as well as men, wherever it has been given the proper scope.
"Taxation without representation is tyranny." "Women pay taxes; women should vote." These are our principles, the embodiment of our bill or rights.
POEMS OF THE PACIFIC COAST.
Spinning.
I
A spider was singing herself in glee
From a moss-covered swaying bough,
A breeze came rollicking up from the sea,
And fanned her beautiful brow.
She hung, it is true, with her pretty head down, But her brain was cool as you please, The fashion quite suited the cut of her gown, And she could look up in the trees.
II
She saw where a humming bird lighted down,
At his throat a bright ruby gleamed,
On his head was a gold and emerald crown,
And he sat on a bough and dreamed.
The spider ran up on her silver thread
And looked in the little king's face.
"If I may sit at your feet," she said,
"I'll spin you some beautiful lace." i
III The humming bird looked in her shining
eyes, And then at her nimble feet, And he said to himself, "I have found a
prize, She is useful as well as neat." "You may sit at my side, if it please you
well," Said he, "The summer time through; And since you spin on a noiseless wheel, I'll do the humming for you."
'Belle W. Cooke.
