Rocky Ford enterprise., 1894-02-22
w. c. 4. U. Meetings.

During last week the Rocky Ford un-
ion of the W. G. T. U. held a number OF
interesting meetings which were well at
tended. Mrs. Eva Higgins, president OF
the state organization, and one OF tho
ablest and most successful workers and
organizers in the west, addressed all the
meetings. Friday afternoon she spoke
on the duties and responsibilities devolv-
ing upon the women Of Colorado as vot-
ers, and also on the general work OF the
W. G. Il. U.
Friday evening Mrs. Higgins spoke of
the increasing influence of the organiza-
tion and how it was growing in favor
with the best elements of society not on
ly in the q. 8. but the world over. If
the women of Colorado use the ballot as
they should the liquor traffic will be
wiped ont of the state. Our duty will
not be done unless this is accomplished.
II the women of the state do not use the
ballot for the interests Of homes and So
ciety, for the advancement OF humanity
and for that which is pure and good, she
cared not how soon the suffrage franchise
was taken from them. She would not
have women stickto party names and for
get principles, as 30 many men do, but
they should vote their honest convictions.
The last national campaign could be sum-
med up like this: "Tin, tin, American
tin; keep Grover out and keep Ben in"
Mis-. H. demanded for women equal pay
for equal work. In the Golden Eagle
store, Denver, girls were employed at
1.50 per week, u store which should be
summed by all for paying such wages,
which forced many girls to lives of shame.
1t has been said that giving the ballot to
the women will cause family trouble. If
a row occurs in regard to the way the
,,nk = fI,.~E
that family. Men and their wives now
differ abont many things and peace pre-
walls. II n man is any man Mt all he will
give his wife the same privilege of think
ing and voting that he claims for him
self. 1t Is respectable to go to the post
Office where men most do congregate, and
why not equally respectable to go to the
polls to vote? A woman can cast her vote
in womanly manner, and go home as re-
fined and womanly as she went to the
polls. The speaker was thankful that
more and more avenues OF employment
were open to women SO that they don't
have to marry for home as formerly.
Before young women marry they should
demand that the men whom they we'd
shall be as pure as the men require that
they shall be. This may make fewer
marriages, but the homes will be vastly
better, and the divorces less numerous.
The enfranchisement of women should
bring prohibition Of the liquor traffic,
better laws for the protection of women
and children and for the suppression of
crime and pauperism, and in general, the
raising the level of humanity.
A mothers meeting was held Saturday
afternoon which was largely attended by
the ladies.
Sunday evening Mrs. Higgins occupied
30 %lo NJ ~, 4,
was crowded to its utmost capacity.
This unusually large and interested aud
fence was given gospel sermon on the
duty of protecting society from the great
and unquestioned evils of the liquor
traffic. The discourse is spoken OF us
being very strong and convincing. Mrs.
Higgins visit has greatly encouraged
those who are working for and are hope
full of banishing saloons from our town.