The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1873-11-28
LETTER FROM SALEM.


Dear Ms. DuHi,0oy:-I very much
regret the defeat of the Woman Suffrage
Bill in the Washington Territory Legis-
lature; but every encounter and failure of
this sort must increase our energy until
the great object is accomplished. What
we want is moral influence from wide
awake, active men and women, who will
come forward without fear of persecution
from 4 prejudiced public, and use all
possible energy to accomplish the best
result for the good of humanity.
The Salem Mercury, when asked TO
publish the proceedings oc the late Con-
vention, excused itself by saying that
"printers ink aud wages were too ex.
pensive for publishing such nonsense;r
and yet that economical journal could
afford to announce a great horse-race
in the following extravagant figures:
4 great race is 10 come Off at san Francisco
tomorrow, when five OF the fastest horses in
America will contend for purse OF $4,000.
This race is attracting unusual attention, and
ready siaked on the result.
Here, thought, is an opportunity to
moralize which the Mercury editor
should not fail to improve. He could,
if he would, do the subject far greater
justice than 1; but as I know he will
not attempt it, therefore, with my un-
skilled pen, will try to portray some
Of the evils that must result from the
very nature of this exciting race.
/ The sons of many feeble and care
worn mothers will attend the race. and
stake and lose the last dollar they pos
sess. Or, let them win or lose, it will
prove the ruin of many youth. Hus-
bands, too, will spend time md money
which wives and mothers need TO make
home comfortable; and Oh! the heart
aches these mothers will have to endure
when their legal protectors come home
cross and abusive because they "bet on
/ the wrong horse;' or, in other words,
''made fools of themselves" For when
a mans cash changes hands, lie must
find vent somewhere, so he very natu-
rally avenges himself upon his helpless
family. Many q good husband and
/ father will, under the excitement of a
/ horse-race, venture far beyond his means
and thereby cause suffering to his fam
/ lily from which they may never fully
/ recover. But this is not the worst OF it.
The father thus sets an example for his
/ inexperienced SONS, and often lays the
foundation for their total ruin at games
Of hazard.
But men try to excuse the sin and
folly Of gambling at horse-races by pre-
tending that they are merely encourag-
/ ing farmers i'm rearing fine and useful
horses. They know there is not word
Of truth in this nonsense; and we know
that their attempt to shield themselves
with it is evidence that they have some
sense Of shame left despite their gam
bling propensities. How absurd it looks
for men who pride themselves on their
I good sense to argue that public horse
racing is absolutely necessary in order to
keep up useful horses! When they can
make women believe such nonsense, 1
viii be ready TO argue that no woman
knows enough to vote.
Hoping that printers wages and
printers ink may not be so expensive
that you cannot afford to give space to
this somewhat extended notice of horse
racing, believe me rs ever
Yours for our cause,
Mrs. J. y. JOHNS.
SALEM, Or, November II, 1873.