Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-11-29
GOVERNED By WON EN-.

Views Of q Woman Who Has Visited .
City Presided Over by Women.
81 have been to Oskaloosa to look
With my own eyes upon the women who
dare to hold the reins of city govern
ment l have been much in the habit
of saying that hoped women would
generally refrain from office-holding,
and when heard the result of the cleo
ton in Oskaloosa last spring, l was
rather sorry. Though / felt and was
glad that it showed the general trend
toward widening the circle of woman's
activities. did not look upon the cleo
tion of women to these Offices as wise
move; but since having seen these wo-
men. and gained en- idea of the work
they hare done in their official caua-
city. could wish that more of our cit
les. and many other enterprises hitherto
controlled by men alone, could be
Oskaloosified.' to use the word coined
by Rev. Joseph Cook.
''1n the carriage which took me to
Che residence of the mayor. Mrs. Mary
u. Lowman, were two gentlemen. an
editor resident in this county. and one
OF the county commissioners. Without
knowing me or my official position or
my mission in Oskaloosa, one of these
gentlemen remarked that the mayor
and council of Oskaloosa were women.
I replied. SO have heard. How does
it worke' Very WE'LL replied both
gentlemen. The women have given
the CITY good government and plenty
OF it. They have attended carefully to
all matters calling for their considera-
ton, they have greatly improved the
sidewalks and streets
Il had TN opportunity of attending a
mccting of the council. where 1 met all
except two of the members. As the la
dies took their seats and proceeded
with the business before them in a mat
ter-of-fact. easy fashion. realized how
quietly. after all. great revolutions
actually take place. and how natural
and desirable these Innovations seem
when We got face to face with them.
These women looked to me not one bit
ont OF their sphere. sitting about Ia
bSe. discussing the means of securing
better enforcement of the Sunday law,
and the ndyiSability OF building certain
sidewalks
'When the election of these officials
were pending. gentleman of the
CITY rqmarked: well if these women
ar, elec.cd, we shall be virtually with
GU: city government The women
have now been in Office nearly a year,
and they have demonstrated their abil-
lily 10 administer the government of
their Sty in very creditable manner;
and that their government hac IN it the
clement of strength. think no citizen
Of oskaloosa wilt deny. Shortly after
their election. they undertook to abate
snaASsace from which the city had long
Shhoced. First they made an ordinance
covering the ground, and then they Or
dered the removal of the nuisance.
This order reused the indignation of
the owner of the business. and at a
meeting OF the council. petition was
presented bearing sixty-two names of
citizens praying for reconsideration
of their action. About seventy male
<atiZans filed iato the room to listen
10 the hearing. Here, certainly,
was a test of strength of nerve.
and determination to stand firm
to conviction Of duty in the face
OF strong opposition. But these women
were equal to it. They had been sure
they were right before they went into
the matter. and they were not to be
moved. Compliment was resorted to,
and the women declare tina. this argu-
znent was very 'meltin':' it is generally
supposed to be an invincible weapon
when used for the conquest of women.
The argument Of policy was brought
into requisition; the women were as
sared that 1t was well to submit to the
presence OF an undesirable establish
:ment. even though it had q debasing in
huence on the minds of the young, and
outraged the sense of decency and pro-
Prety. rather than to lose the trade
(which might thereby come to the city.
But in the wOmen's minis right was
right and no considerations of expedi-
cncy could make them depart from the
path of duty. and they adhered to their
decision. Then the opposition under
took to get q restraining injunction
served upon the council. on the plea
that their action was illegal, and that
they had transcribed their powers in
taking it; but the injunction was not
granted. Judge Crozier sustained the
action of the council
'sThese ladies are among the most
able and highly respected women in the
city.
The result of my observations and
inquiries Is the conclusion that women
are able to govern q city as well as q
Household. and that the city's moral
Interests win be better cared for in
their hands. while its material interests
will not suffer. But Notwithstanding
Tia :act that the OskalOOea exnerimen1