The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1890-10-31

tain privileges, but it thereby also makes
her responsible in like degree with man
for the success or failure of our educa-
tional system. The statute declares that
she NAV vote, and unless she does so
she fails in her duty to the state.
The speaker then took up the argu-
ment which is used against her in some
quarters. that no woman should hold
office. Said she:
Those who know something of the
world and the various kinds of people
living in it have been long familiar with
the fact that the lowest and criminal
elements of society stand solidly upon
this question and are the loudest and
most persistent champions of this doct-
rine. Here and there, however, there
are some good and true men, with the
best interests of society at heart, still
holding to the same opinion, but l beg
of such to consider in what company
they are and whether it is likely place
to find the wholesome doctrines of the
world.
The speaker reminded all who make
these assertions, as also those who are
opposed to women voting on school
questions or holding offices in connec-
ton with the school system, that the
point has already been decided against
them by the law making power of the
state. She denied that holding office
would degrade woman or make her
less feminine, especially the office OF
county superintendent.
The great majority of our teachers are
women, and are they not occasionally
entitled to representation by one OF
their own sex in the Office of superinten-
dent? Many of them are quite young
and the more in need of counsel and ad-
vice in their many perplexities. Who
is better fitted to aid and encourage
them than one of their own sex who be.
gan the life of teacher at fifteen and
has had nearly twenty years experience
of all it's trials and difficulties?
She asked If, considering all that has
been done for the schools in the way Of
liberal support, the returns are satlsfac'
tory? Are we getting the maximum Of
profit from the investment? VI course
the state of the schools varies from dis.
trict to district, but l think there will
be general agreement among patrons
teachers and pupils that matters are
susceptible of great improvement.
Mrs. Stevens closed by saying: I am
the nominee of the Alliance and of the
Prohibition parties for County Superin-
tendent of Schools. l am grateful tc
those parties for their confidence and
support. The Office of superintendent
of schools is not political Office, and II
elected, l should administer 1t without
the slightest partisan bias. There is nc
good reason why voters should be infiu'
enced by political considerations IN yot
ing either for or against me. My Re
publican friends will vote for me. My
Democratic friends will vote for me
And if there is voter in the Alliance
party or in the Prohibition party who
thinks / am not the candidate from
whom most is to be hoped for the
schools, 1 wish him to substitute the
name of another, There are those who
as between a woman with ideas and 8
man without them will choose the mar
every time. There are doubtless Other
men too generous and kind, who, for ar
Office of this kind would vote for lady
out of gallantry and Difference for the
sex, however poorly fitted she might be
for the Office. 1t seems to me, howev
| er, that the question should turn only
on what is the highest interests OF edu