History of Woman Suffrage/Volume 4/Chapter 55
CHAPTER LV.
NEW MEXICO.[1]
At the Constitutional Convention held in 1888 an effort was made to secure equal political rights for women, but it received little support. In September, 1893, Mrs. E. M. Marble visited Albuquerque and organized a suffrage club with Mrs. G. W. Granger as president. In December, 1895, Mrs. Laura M. Johns, president of the Kansas E. S. A. and national organizer, spent a few days in New Mexico, on the way to and from Arizona, and formed several clubs.
In 1896 Mrs. Julia B. Nelson, president of the Minnesota W. S. A., began work in the Territory under the auspices of the National Association, her first address being delivered at Raton, April 1, and her last May 12, at the same place. Her mission was to discover the suffragists, make converts, arrange for a Territorial convention and effect an organization auxiliary to the national.[2] As a result a convention was held at Albuquerque, April 28, 29, conducted by Mrs. Johns and Mrs. Nelson. A Territorial association was formed and the following officers were elected: President, Mrs. J. D. Perkins; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Alice P. Hadley; recording secretary, Miss Clara Cummings; treasurer, Mrs. Martha C. Raynolds.
In 1897 and 1898 no conventions were held, on account of the absence of several of the officers from the Territory. Through the efforts of Mrs. Hadley (herself prevented by physical infirmity), H. B. Fergusson, delegate to Congress for New Mexico, represented the Territory and made a speech in the convention of the National Association at Washington in 1808.
In November, 1899, Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, chairman of the national organization committee, and Miss Mary G. Hay, secretary, spent one day in Santa Fé with George H. and Mrs. Catherine P. Wallace. Mr. Wallace was secretary of the Territory, and in their home, the historic old Palacio, forty people gathered to hear Mrs. Chapman Catt lecture. She made an hour's address, after which there was an interesting discussion. As a result, a meeting was called for December 19, and the Territorial association was reorganized with the following officers: President, Mrs. Wallace; vice-president, Mrs. Hadley; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Esther B. Thomas; recording secretary, Mrs. Anna Van Schick; treasurer, Miss Mary Morrison; member national executive committee, Mrs. Ellen J. Palen. Several vicepresidents were named and twenty-five members enrolled.[3]
Legislative Action and Laws: On Feb. 10, 1893, a bill was passed in the Lower House declaring the right of female citizens to vote at elections and hold offices relating to public schools and public education. It was not acted upon by the Senate. In 1895 this bill was defeated.
In 1899 a bill was introduced by Representative McIntosh of San Juan County (near the Colorado line), on request of his constituents, for the extension of School Suffrage to women. This received the favorable votes of one-third of the Lower House, but did not reach the Senate.
A law was passed April 2, 1884, defining the rights of the married woman. It secured to her the control of property owned by her at the time of marriage and of wages earned afterward, made her not liable for her husband's debts and gave her the same power to make contracts, wills, etc., as was possessed by him. The law at present is as follows:
By act of 1897, a mortgage not executed by the wife shall in no wise affect the homestead rights of the wife or family.
By act of 1899: "The signature or consent of the wife shall not be necessary or requisite in any conveyance, incumbrance or alienation of real property owned by the husband, whether such property became his before or during coverture; but the right to make such conveyance or create such incumbrance shall exist in the husband to the same extent as though he were unmarried."[4]
The father is the legal guardian of the minor children.
The husband is not required by law to support the family.
In 1887 the "age of protection" for girls was raised from 10 to 14 years, with penalty of imprisonment not less than five nor more than twenty years.
Suffrage: Women have no form of suffrage.
Office Holding: In 1899 a bill passed for appropriations, etc., for the Deaf and Dumb Asylum recommended the appointment of two women on the Board of (five) Trustees. The appointments were duly made and confirmed.
Women serve as members of county school examining boards.
The new office of supervising teacher of the Government Indian Pueblo Schools has been filled by Miss Mary E. Dissett.
Women are special masters in court, notaries public, court and legislative stenographers in Spanish and English and census enumerators. In the last two administrations a woman has acted as private secretary to the Governor.
A. woman has been appointed commissioner for New Mexico to take testimony in Indian depredation claims.
At a Territorial Irrigation Convention, in 1900, one woman was a duly elected delegate, taking part in the discussions, etc.
Occupations: All professions and occupations are open to women. They conduct ranches and engage in mining. In Santa Fé the Woman's Board of Trade, an incorporated body, has so ably conducted the work for charities and for civic improvements as to arouse a sentiment that women might well be intrusted with educational and more extended municipal affairs. In Las Cruces an organization of women is doing a similar work.
Education: All educational institutions are open to both sexes, and degrees are conferred alike upon men and women. The Territorial University at Albuquerque, the Las Vegas Normal University and others have women on their faculties.
At the meeting of the Territorial Educational Association in December, 1899, a council was formed composed of twenty-five members, both women and men. At its first meeting, in September, 1900, a resolution in favor of School Suffrage for women was unanimously adopted.
In the public schools there are (approximately) 390 men and — 316 women teachers. The average salaries are not obtainable.
The call to arms for the Spanish-American War brought men © to the different recruiting posts in New Mexico, but no pro- — vision for them had been made by the government. The women of Santa Fé, Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Las Vegas and other towns quickly organized Soldiers' Aid Societies and raised funds to feed and care for them, till the companies were mustered in and came under Uncle Sam's charge.
At the Territorial Democratic Convention in Albuquerque, April, 1900, the following was included in the platform: "It is our belief that women should be granted an equal voice and position with men in all matters pertaining to our public schools."
The native Spanish-Americans have great reverence for their elders. Among a few of the old Don families where the eldest member living is a senora, so greatly are her wishes and opinions respected that the entire community will vote as she dictates; the politician has only to secure her allegiance and he is sure of the vote in her precinct. The suffrage bills which have been presented to the Legislature have not been opposed by the Spanish-American members, but by the Anglo-Saxons.
- ↑ The History is indebted for this chapter to Mrs. Catherine e Wallace of Santa Fé, president of the Territorial Suffrage Association. While Mr. Wallace was consul-general to Australia, in 1890, she visited New Zealand and assisted the women there in their successful effort for the franchise. When this subject was before the Australian Parliament at Melbourne, she furnished the Premier with the debate in the United States Congress on the admission of Wyoming, and with other documents.
- ↑ Mrs. Nelson visited Raton, Blossburg, Albuquerque, Santa Fé, Springer, Las Vegas, Watrous, Wagon Mound, Socorro, San Marcial, Las Cruces, Deming, Silver City, Hillsboro and Kingston, giving two or three lectures at each place and leaving a club in many.
- ↑ Among the best known of the advocates are Mrs. M. J. Borden, Professor and Mrs. Hiram Hadley of the Agricultural College, President and Mrs. C. L. Herrick and Miss Catherine Fields, all of the Territorial University; Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson Raynolds, Judge and Mrs. McFie, Col. and Mrs. I. H. Elliott and Secretary George H. Wallace.
- ↑ This law was repealed by the Legislature of 1901, and it was made impossible for either husband or wife to convey real property without the signature of the other.