The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-10-26
WOMAN'S DEPARTMENT.
OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED.
Reasons Advanced why Women should
Not Vote Weighed and Analyzed.

Not Vote Weighed and Analysed.
"Foman's sphere is home" Then
why is she not compelled to stay there?
Why is she allowed to sing and speak
and read in public? Who can defend
the unwomanly practice of teaching in
public schools? She ought to influence
her brothers and sons to do these
things. How dare she attend or ad-
dress temperance meetings, or go as a
missionary to foreign lands. or work in
hospitals, or earn her living in any
way that would call her outside OF the
sacred precincts of home? If men
would only pass a law forbidding wo-
men to go to church or to market or to
any public place. there would be no
talk of women wanting to vote.
"Woman's strongest influence is that
tchich she ererts in family life" 1t is
strong, certainly, but it is not always
good. Many homes are ruled by weak,
or silly, or narrow-minded, or nervous
women, for whom the discipline of a
larger life would be the best tonic imag-
Unable. "1n a pretty large experience
OF real life." says Frances Power Cobbe,
81 have failed yet to find single case
in which woman who has exercised
public spirit. even to the extent of self
devotion, was not also an admirable
and conscientious daughter, wife.
mother or mistress of household" A
woman would neglect her home for the
sake of passing bill quite as readily
as she would 'fOrsake an infant for a
quadratic equation"
"Woman's influence at home would be
,reakened By giring her the ballot" On
the contrary, it would be strengthened
Men know very well that as regards the
knowledge of public affairs. many wo-
men, by reason of their restricted lives,
are in a state of ignorant simplicity.
Let any woman try the experiment of
offering suggestion upon any course
OF political conduct to husband or
brother, and it is sure to be greeted
with superior or indulgent smile.
While woman is cOntemptuously ex-
cluded from political duties. her advice
and influence at home must always re-
main at the minimum.
ut wiH not be safe TO grant The ballot
to CONAN until she is capable of using it
intelligently." 1t will not be safe for
boys to approach the water until after
they have learned to swim.
men and their aOires viii rote eractly
alike" Then it will be an added bond
of sympathy and union between them.
''Men and their Uires sUiH rote exactly
opposite" Then it will not be half so
great barrier between them as diff
ference in religious faith. The more
difference between the political Opin-
ions of the sexes, the more reason why
women's interests should be represented
in political life.
"Homen are Uirtually represented By
men," 1t was said by James Otis that
mo such phrase as virtual representa-
ton is known in law or constitution. 1t
is altogether subtlety and illusion.
wholly unfounded and absurd" When
did they make their choice? When |
were they ever consulted? We merely |
assume that men will be good to us be-
cause we confide in them. Legislation
is always in favor of the legislating
class.
..Woman already crerts an immense
influence TN politics, and does not need
the ballot" Then men of reputed po-
litical influence may be justly disfran-
chised. Honesty, intelligence and abil-
ity are what give influence. Ought |
these to be excluded from the polls?
"7here are WOnaen Uho do not ,Oish TO
cote" What would be thought of a prop
Osition thai n man should not vote be-
cause his neighbors do not wish to? |
Those who think it unladylike or I'M
to take part in the gov
eminent are at liberty to stay at home.
They have no authority to detain wiser
and better citizens from their duty.
bad Uomen UiU rOte." On this point |
T. w. Higginson says: bad women
will not vote openly as bad women for
vice in women, by instinct and policy,
conceals itself and passes under another
name. The worse women are, the more
they will counterfeit virtue when they
come TO vote, rely upon it."
'Politics are necessarily degrading."
Then why not advise good men to quit
voting?
':Polling places are indecent" For
the simple reason that women are ex-
cluded from them. A smoking-car is
an unpleasant place of resort for the
same reason. Elections will continue
to be characterized by vulgarity and
until husbands and wives,
brothers and sisters go forth together
to vote.
''U Uon,an sDere TO rote, she Dould be
eligible to public Offices" Perfectly
true. Every human being has right
to do whatever he or she can do well,
public affairs not excepted. No woman
could be elected to an important Office
unless there was general conviction
that she had peculiar fitness for its
duties.
The fundamental principle of woman
suffrage is this Every human being has
a right to work out his or her own des-
tiny, subject only to those restraints OF
society which are applied to all alike
Bel Thistel,cdite, IN Toronto Globe.
MONEY MATTERS.
One Source of Trouble In the Married
State-Where Women is at a Disad-
vantage.
There is no more common cause OF