I. The Statutes of the Several States, from earliest times to the present day.  Published by Authority.

II.  All newspapers and periodicals.

III.  The Census Reports, especially the various separate reports such as that on “Marriage and Divorce”; and the Reports of the Commissioner of Labour.

IV.  The History of Woman Suffrage:  edited by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Matilda Joslyn Gage, and Ida Husted Harper, 4 vols. [First two published by Fowler and Wells, New York, 1881 and 1882; last two by Susan B. Anthony, Rochester, 1887 and 1902.]

V. The Encyclopedia of Social Reforms:  edited by William D.P.  Bliss, with the Co-operation of many Specialists.  Funk and Wagnalls, New York and London, 1898.

NOTES: 

[410] See, for example, the account in the New York Tribune, Sept. 8, 9, and 12, 1853, of what happened at the Women’s Rights Convention at that time.

[411] In 1900 there were 7399 female physicians and surgeons in the United States, and 808 female dentists.

[412] In 1900 there were 1049 women lawyers in the United States.  The above statements are from Bliss, Encyc., p. 1291.

[413] In 1900 there were 3405 women clergy in the United States.

[414] In 1900 there were 2193 women journalists in the United States.  This does not, of course, include women reporters and the like.

CHAPTER IX

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

It is twenty-three centuries since Plato gave to the world his magnificent treatise on the State.  The dream of the Greek philosopher of equal rights for all intelligent citizens, among whom he includes women, has in large part been realised; but much is yet wanting to bring society to the standard of the Ideal Republic.  In not a few States of the world the conditions affecting property rights are inequitable; in all but very few States woman is still barred from the field of politics and from the legitimate rights of citizenship; and the day seems far distant when the States possessing a representative government will be prepared to accept the woman citizen as eligible for administrative positions.

It will, therefore, be my purpose in this chapter first to consider five of the most serious objections to the granting of equal suffrage, that is to say, to the concession to women of full citizens’ rights under the law.  It will be found that these objections are based on a presumed inferiority of women to men in various respects.  I shall give consideration next in order to the question of the inferiority or superiority of one sex over the other.  In view, furthermore, of the new ferment in thought in modern society, it will be useful to analyse certain habits of mind and to indicate the necessity for a readjustment of old beliefs in the light of recent evolution.  I shall conclude my history with a suggestion for definite reforms which, I believe, must be brought about, whether equal suffrage is granted or not, before women can attain their maximum of efficiency.