, 1890-07-04
Mr.. PLUNKETT EXPLAINS
A Letter From the Writer on Wo-
man Suffrage.
His Construction of a Quite Re.
markable Sentence.
The Interpretation Has no Sem
blance to His Meaning.
To the Editor of The Leader.

To the Editor of The Leader.
LONDON. June l9. l890.-In reference
to my article on Woman Suffrage 10
Wyoming, a valued correspondent writes:
The fifth and sixth sentences in the
second paragraph on age IA, In Wyo-
ming tho male canvasser who makes his
terms with the party organizer is not
without his counterpart in pettisoats, but
she deals chiefly with the unfortunate
class, who are not in practice and in the
light of day, quite such an important
factor as is generally supposed" have
created some comment. He goes on to
say: The impression is that in your
article you nave cast a slur upon the fair
name of the v~irtuous women OF Wyo-
ming.
THE LEADER OF May goth quotes the
passage and characterizes it as q gross
libel o the women of Wyoming"
This view of the obnoxious sentences TIE
LEADER explains by Spying with natural
Indignation. Never in the history of
Wyoming has a political bargain been
made by the women of Wyoming with
the unfortunate class, such bargains,
however, have been made by the male
oreanizers."
Now, sir. allow me emphatically to
deny that the Interpretation which has
been placed anon my words bears the
i~aintest resemblance to the meaning which
[ intended to convey. l understood a
gentleman of much experience in Wy
oming politics to say that male organizers
had on certain occasions made use of fe-
male canvassers 10 sell and deliver certain
votes. Even taken without the context l
cannot now see that THE LEADERS in
depreciation is justified by the words
themselves, nor Of the many writers who
have criticised the article from every side
OF the woman suffrage question. has one
been found to detect a ''slur' upon the
women of Wyoming. Taken with the
context-perbaps a fairer method of criti-
cism-it is obvious that the whole tone OF
the article is opposed to an accusation
which would, in my opinion. g a
serious objection to the encouragement
Of ome politicians.
l do not know to what extent | can
have been misunderstood, but l feel very
strongly the necessity of putting myself
to rights in this matter. With a gener-
osity which | had no right to expect, and
which l highly appreciate, the best of
WyominR's citizens of both sexes assisted
me with facts and opinions to present the
case for and against woman suffrage ESQ
far as the question was affected by Wy
omiDg experienced tor the consideration OF
the men and women OF my own country.
L feel in honor bound, as far as in me lay,
TO deal impartially with the question, and
l believe the article is n fair reflection
OF the facts and opinions which were laid
before me. When l entered upon the
task, my wi views were decidedly op-
posed to woman suffrage. l was ex-
tremely pleased, however, to find that the
facts warranted a high appreciation OF the
value of women in politics and hopeful
ness as to the further development of
their influence in the political sphere.
Had the adverse construction of the Sc
lected words above quoted emanated from
q quarter opposed to woman suffrage, /
should have suspected a desire to divert
attention from conclusions which have
been generally acknowledged to favor the
movement. While | am being invited to
lift up my voice on the suffrage
platform in my own country, it would be
too bad that l should be in disgrace
among the ladies of my ether home. Can
it be that this poor prophet is not with
out dishonor save in his W country?
L confidently rely upon a reading Of
the entire article to dispel any misuuder-
standing which may arise from the misin-
depreciation of one of its sentences.
Yours truly,
HORACE PLUNKETT.