Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-11-15
OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED.

Reasons Advanced why Women Should
Not Vote Weighed and Analysed.
= "Woman'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 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
wkich 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-ninded, or nervous
women. for whom the discipline of a
larger life would be the best tonic mag
Unable. ''In pretty large experience
of real life" says Frances Power Cobbe,
81 have failed yet to find a single case
in which awOman 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 q household" A
woman would neglect her home for the
sake of passing 4 bill quite as readily
as she would .'forsake AN infant for a
quadratic equation"
'Hom0n's influence at home ,rouid be
sCeakcned by girin3 her the ballot" On
the contrary, it would be strengthened.
Men know very well that as regards tho
knowledge of public affairs. many wo-
men, by reason of their restricted lives.
are in state of ignorant simplicity.
Let any woman try the experiment of
offering a 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 aciH not be safe to grant the ballot
to ,oon,ax until she is capable OF using IL
fnselligenay." 1t will not be safe for
boys to approach the water until after
they have learned to swim.
Men and their scircs will rote eractl,
dli.s.." Then it will be an added bond
OF sympathy and union between them.
Men and their wires wiU cote Exactly
opposite" Then it will not be half SC
great a 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 virtually represented By
men," 1t was said by James Otis tina,
ono such phrase as virtual representa-
ton is known in law or constitution. i
is altogether subtlety and illusion
wholly unfounded and absurd" Wher
did they make their choice? Wher
were they ever consulted? We merely
-Asume that men will be good to us be
cause we confide in them Legislation
is always in favor of the legislatin{
class.
"Woman already ezerts an issnsens
infuence in politics, and does not neet
the ballot" Then men Of reputed pc
ltical influence may be justly disfran