Letter from Senator Charles W. Bell to Secretary of State Frank C. Jordan with enclosed argument for Senate Constitutional Amendment No. 8

Item

Title: Letter from Senator Charles W. Bell to Secretary of State Frank C. Jordan with enclosed argument for Senate Constitutional Amendment No. 8
Description: Charles W. Bell’s argument for Senate Constitutional Amendment No. 8 was the official argument in favor of the women's suffrage amendment that appeared in California's voter information pamphlet before the October 10, 1911 special election. Its purpose was to persuade California's male voters to approve Proposition 4, which would amend the California Constitution to grant women the right to vote.

Senator Charles W. Bell was an ardent supporter of women’s suffrage who had spent years campaigning for the cause. In the 15-page argument, Bell explains that women deserve the right to vote because they are educated, civic-minded citizens whose participation will strengthen government. He urges voters to approve the amendment, asserting that equal suffrage would make California's democracy more representative and effective.
Contributor: California Secretary of State
Creator: Charles W. Bell
Date: August 2, 1911
Format: PDF
Language: English
Rights: Public Domain. No restrictions on use. For access to a higher resolution version of this file, or for permission to reproduce or publish, please contact California State Archives staff via email at reference@sos.ca.gov or call the Reference Desk at (916) 653-2246. Permission for reproduction or publication is given on behalf of the California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility for possible infringement that may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives' collections.
Source: 1911 Special Election Records, Secretary of State Records , R206, California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.
Type: Text
Original Format: Argument

Media: Letter from Senator Charles W. Bell to Secretary of State Frank C. Jordan with enclosed argument for Senate Constitutional Amendment No. 8