The Indianapolis journal., 1884-02-13
WOMAN IN POLITICS.
runnagings

The women of Massachusetts are engaged
in their annual struggle with the Legislature
over the suffrage question. 1t is not the advo-
Gates of suffrage alone who lombard the law
makers with petitions and arguments but the
sisters who are opposed to the movement as
well. Among the opponents to the cause is
Mrs. Leonard, the lady who was barred out of
the State Board of Charities by Governor But
Ter, on the ground that she was not legally "a
person." She has held important public posi-
tions, has great influence and might naturally
be expected to favor the extension of woman's
field of power; but she has reached contrary
conclusions so far as politics is concerned. In
face of the rather contemptuous assertion
made by friends of the measure that only
thoughtless and idle members of the aristoc-
racy and the lowest and most ignorant classes
had any strong feeling against equal suffrage,
Mrs. Leonard has presented to the legislative
committee having the subject under consider
alton paper containing her arguments
against the comforting of the alleged Fright"
Many of her objections are those with which
everyone is familiar butshe makes two points
which will undoubtedly meet with violent de-
mails from the other side and which are not
commonly advanced by members of the non
voting sex, whether they are contented
under the restriction or not Mrs. Leonard's
experience in public life, while not of politi-
cal nature, has been. of character so near verg-
ing thereon as to give her an insight into
woman's ways, should they obtain the privi-
lege OF voting and running for Office. At
least she thinks she understands the sister
hood, and believes, on the whole, that they
are sly and tricky. Says Mrs. Leonard:
''That women are purer and more conscien-
tious than men, as a sex, is exceedingly doubt
full when applied to politics. The faults of
the sexes are different according to their con
stitution and habitso of life Men are more vio-
lent and open in their misdeeds, but any per-
son who knows human nature well, and has
examined it in its various phases, knows that
each sex is open to its peculiar temptation and
sin; that the human heart is weak and prone
to evil without distinction of sex. 1t seems
certain that were women admitted to vote and
to hold political Office all the intrigue, cor
ruptiOn and selishness displayed by men in
political life would also be found among
women"
In regard to the effect Of women's votes
upon the temperance cause she holds that
they would avail little, because experience
has proven that the strictest laws cannot be
enforced if great number of people de-
termine to drink liquor"
The effect of this paper upon the committee
it is impossible to say but it will certainly re-
suit in drawing down great wrath upon the
writer's head. The journal believes that
when majority of women wish to vote they
will vote, and no man or body of men can
hinder; but while they continue to quarrel
and disagree among themselves their chances
of obtaining the franchise are small. Women
are in the majority in Massachusetts,, and are
popularity supposed to be away up as to intel
ligence and culture. If they could vote, the
experiment would be looked upon with inter
est as an opportunity of proving all that is
claimed by its advocates; but if they will fight
before they get into power they must not ex-
pect success.