REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION ON PETITIONS FOR WOMAN SUFFRAGE, MADE TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AT ITS JANUARY SESSION, 1878. REPORT. To the Honorable the House of Representatives at its January Session, A. D. 1878: The Committee on Education to whom was referred the several petitions and memorials asking that the Constitution be so amended that "no citizen of Rhode Island shall be disfranchised on account of sex," respectfully submit the following report: Petitions for the above object, signed by 379 male and 647 female citizens, were before your Committee. Two public hearings have been held, and the fullest opportunity granted to all who desired, to be heard. Your Committee have given this subject their careful attention, and all the arguments presented have been duly considered. We herewith present our conclusions. 1st. We are unanimously agreed that it would be neither right or expedient to grant the full prayer of the petitioners. 2d. We are also unanimous in the opinion that unmarried women and widows, who are resident tax payers in any town or city, should be permitted to vote on questions directly involving the expenditure of We therefore recommend the passage of the following reso money. lution: Resolved a majority of all the members elected to each house of the General Assembly concuring herein-that the following article be proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the State, and the Secretary of State cause the same to be published, and printed copies thereof to be distributed in the manner provided in Article XIII of the Constitution. ARTICLE Upon any proposition to impose a tax, or to appropriate money, or in any election of a City Council of any city, unmarried women and widows shall have the privilege of voting-subject to the same regulations and limitations as men. AMOS SHERMAN, J. ALONZO BABCOCK, GEORGE CARMICHAEL, JR., |