Mr. Palmer Urges Senate to Back Women’s Suffrage
Mr. Palmer takes to the floor in Olympia to argue for woman suffrage, dismantling tired objections and demanding a seat at the table for Washington women.
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On the 5th of February, summons was given to Mr. Palmer to address the Senate in favor of the woman suffrage constitutional amendment. He reviewed the history of the movement, showing its rise and growth. It had succeeded in creating a public sentiment to which legislatures had been forced to bow. Our sisters have been recognized as having brains as well as hearts, and as being capable of managing their own business affairs. Twelve States had extended full suffrage to women and three Territories had admitted them to the ballot-box. Mr. Palmer then reviewed all the objections, such as the physical inferiority of men or the supposed degradation of women if they entered politics. He argued that election days, instead of being scenes of debauchery, would be held in the presence of the candidates, and the ballot would be cast with more decorum.
“Our sisters have been recognized as having brains as well as hearts, and as being capable of managing their own business affairs.”
This debate over Washington women's right to vote took place in 1885, years before the 19th Amendment. It captures the tension of the era as women fought for the franchise, a struggle that would see victories and temporary legal rollbacks in the territory before women finally won the vote here for good in 1910.
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