The debates in both houses over this bill brought clearly into view the
high political and social ideals of the younger and more recently
elected members of the Legislature; and it proved that the women of
California, though wholly inexperienced in politics, knew what they
wanted and would stand solidly for it. They won, not by lobbying, but by
systematic education of the constituencies of the legislators. It is
reported that one legislator asked a doubtful colleague if he intended
to vote for the bill and the other replied: “Don’t I have to go home?”
The floor leader of the senate complained publicly of the “threats” of
his constituents who had urged him to vote for the bill and said that
they would remember their enemies as well as their friends. Assemblyman
Nelson, chairman of the Assembly Public Morals Committee, said that he
received 1,800 letters on this subject during the recess.
Although the debate in the assembly was sickening at times, in its
revelation of the attitude of certain men toward the whole matter of
vice, the measure passed by a vote of 62 to 17. In the senate a strong
effort was made by Senator Beban of San Francisco to sidetrack it by
substituting an investigation into the relation of women’s wages and
vice. But the senate refused to postpone the injunction bill until this
special committee should report, and in spite of a five-hour debate,
chiefly carried on by those who were trying to explain plausibly why
they were going to vote against it, the measure passed by a vote of 29
to 11. Thus, out of a legislature of 120 members, only 28 voted against
the bill and of these a majority were from San Francisco and from
Alameda County.
After the bill had passed, a final dramatic touch was given by the
demand of certain so-called “real estate” interests in San Francisco for
a hearing before the governor. The governor announced a public hearing
to which came about forty persons, both men and women, representing all
the more important protective, civic and moral associations of northern
California. The opponents, who perhaps had hoped to get a private
hearing, did not appear; whereupon the governor signed the bill.
Meanwhile, even before the bill was signed, money had been raised and
tentative plans made for taking care of the women and girls who should
be thrown out of the segregated districts. These plans are now being
extended to cover the whole state. It is expected that the companion
measure, a state training home for girls which carries an appropriation
of $200,000, will also pass and this will ultimately provide for minors
and those who go through the probation courts. As fast as the injunction
measure is enforced the women’s organizations intend to offer a home,
medical attendance and employment, if possible, to all refugees who will
accept them.