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[6]
(On Official Ballot, Nos. 300 and 301.)
ARGUMENT
(negative)
SUBMITTED BY
OREGON STATE ASSOCIATION OPPOSED TO THE EXTENSION
OF THE SUFFRAGE TO WOMEN
opposing the measure designated on the official ballot, as follows:
PROPOSED BY INITIATIVE PETITION
Equal suffrage amendment, extending the right of
suffrage to women.                                                          Vote YES or NO.
300.      Yes.
301.      No.
ARGUMENT AGAINST WOMAN SUFFRAGE AMENDMENT.
To the Electors of Oregon:
    Notwithstanding the repeated and emphatic defeat of woman suffrage
amendments in Oregon, the proposition is again on the ballot. It was
submitted to a vote in 1900 and beaten by a plurality of 2137; it was
submitted again in 1906 and beaten by 10,173; it was submitted again
in 1908 and beaten by 21,649; it was submitted again in 1910 and beaten
by 23,795. Notwithstanding this repeated expression of the will of the
people we note in the argument offered in support of this amendment
a contention that those who favor it represent the large majority of
the women of Oregon. We submit that this adverse vote rolled up again
and again with increasing emphasis at each election is the best possible
evidence that woman suffrage is not wanted in Oregon, either by the
women or by the men. The fact is that the agitation for woman suffrage
is carried on by a small minority of the women of the State, who make
up in activity what they lack in numbers. Let any man ask the women
of his acquaintance, and particulary the women who are doing woman’s
work in the world, the women whom he most respects, and he can satisfy
himself as to whether women want the right to vote.
WASHINGTON AND CALIFORNIA.
    It is true, as suggested in the argument in favor of this amendment,
that woman suffrage has been adopted in Washington and in California.