Women -- Suffrage -- History; Women -- Suffrage -- United States -- History; Women's rights -- History; Women's rights -- United States -- History
When Colorado was admitted into the Union in 1876 a strong effort was
made to have its constitution provide for equal suffrage but it was
not successful. School suffrage was given and provision was made that
the Legislature might at any time submit a measure to the voters for
the complete franchise, which, if accepted by the majority, should
become law. This was done in 1877 and defeated. It was submitted again
in 1893 and adopted by a majority of 6,347. Women were thus entitled
to vote on the same terms as men but it was by law and not by
constitutional amendment. Aliens could vote on six months' residence
and on their "first papers," without completing their citizenship. In
1901 the Legislature submitted the following amendment: "Every person
over the age of twenty-one years, possessing the following
qualifications, shall be entitled to vote at all elections: He or she
shall be a citizen of the United States and shall have resided in the
State twelve months immediately preceding the election at which he or
she offers to vote." It is worthy of note that Casimero Barela, known
as the perpetual Senator who had opposed equal suffrage since the
question was first raised in Territorial days, esteemed it a privilege
to introduce the resolution for this amendment. The vote on Nov. 4,
1901, stood, ayes, 35,372; noes, 20,087; carried by a majority of
15,285, which was nearly 64 per cent. of the vote cast. After a trial
of eight years the voters, men and women, thus securely entrenched
woman suffrage in the State constitution.
The Equal Suffrage Association has continued its existence in order to
assist the women in other States to get the franchise and also to look
after legislative and civic affairs at home. It has not held annual
conventions but its regular monthly meetings have taken place for
years at the Adams Hotel in Denver where they could be attended by
members from all parts of the State and strangers within the gates
from this or other countries. The presidents after Mrs. John L. Routt
retired were, Mrs. Katherine T. Patterson, Mrs. Amy K. Cornwall,
Professor Theodosia G. Ammons, Mrs. Minerva C. Welch, Mrs. Harriet G.
R. Wright (8 years), Mrs. Dora Phelps Buell, Mrs. Honora McPhearson,
Mrs. Lucy I. Harrington, Mrs. Katherine Tipton Hosmer, 1918.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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