8o POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



in the present stage of development and under ordinary condi- 

 tions are of no use to the plant containing them. 



6. Colors serve as an attractive, guiding, or warning device for 

 insects and other animals, more especially for the purpose of se- 

 curing cross-fertilization and protection from injury. 



THE POLITICAL RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF WOMEN. 



By GEOEGE F. TALBOT. 



THE political enfranchisement of women is so prominent a 

 topic of discussion among all people that live under repre- 

 sentative governments that no apology seems required for a 

 contribution to the debate. It does not, however, seem necessary 

 to recapitulate the arguments for and against the concession of 

 the ballot to women — as if that alone was the ultimate or princi- 

 pal part of their demand — or to sum up and formulate any judi- 

 cial finding on the basis of these arguments. 



It is not difficult to perceive that the usual ground might be 

 gone over, the usual arguments for woman suffrage stated and 

 conceded, without touching any of the vital issues involved in 

 the proposed change. The fact is, that the right to vote, in 

 giving reasons against which the conservative thinker is always 

 at disadvantage — always obliged to be more or less illogical and 

 inconsistent — is not what is really asked, but something beyond it 

 very much more radical and questionable. Let us see if we can 

 not by an appeal secure from discontented womanhood a frank 

 acknowledgment of the real ultimatuin of demand, the specific 

 redress of what is deemed the actual grievance. 



There are two alternatives which might be proposed to the 

 Woman Suffrage Association, or whatever other body has a right 

 to represent the political demands of women : 



1. Let the ballot be given to all women of full age who are 

 citizens, with the condition, however, in the article or act itself in 

 which this right is given, that they shall not be eligible to any 

 executive, legislative, or judicial office, under the national. State, 

 or municipal governments, except certain clerical and subordinate 

 offices now open to women under custom or law, such as post- 

 master, register of deeds, member of school committee, etc. 



2. Let such women as petition for it be admitted to full citi- 

 zenship, with the right to vote and hold office, on proving their 

 qualifications before the courts to whom jurisdiction over such 

 petitions may be assigned. The judge listens to the application 

 and the proof offered, that the petitioner is fairly intelligent, that 

 her moral character is irreproachable, and she has not and is not 



