The Press., 1894-09-27
w. C. T. U. DEPARTMENT.
The opestion of Infiuence.

they would lose their influence. This Is
 a favorite bugbear, and is therefore worth
 discussing at some length. ..
 We must first consider what it is that
 gives influence. There are many things, any one of which will give woman cer- tain measure of infuence-beauty, good ness, tact, talent, pleasant manners, social position, money, etc. Not one of these things would be taken away from her by giving her the right to vote; and the vote itself would be another powerful means of influence in addition. For 1t has been truly said that election day Is the only day of judgment that the average polti- clan fears. Hence in political matters it is too often the case that the very worst and lowest class of men-men who pos sess none of the means of influence just enumerated, neither goodness, good looks, good manners, wealth or wisdom, but | who do possess a vote-can exert more influence upon legislation than the best and wiscst women.
 There is classical story of prisoner who had been shut up for years in dun geon, receiving light only through chink in the wall. At last his friends came and offered to pIll down the wall and set him free. His mind had been affected by his long confinement, and he begged them not to do it; because, he said, if they de- stroyed the wall, they would also destroy the chink in the wall through which he got all his sunlight, and he should then be left left in total darkness. Of course, If he had been in his right mind he would have seen that when the wall was pulled down he would have all the sunlight he had before, and great deal more in addi- tion. Whatever measure of influence wo- men now possess, they possess in spite of their political disabilities, not because of them. Whatever means of influence any woman now has, in her own gifts of mind | or person, she would still have; and she would have another very important means | of influence as well.
 Miss Turner speaks especially of wo- mems "moral influence" She probably fears that they would lose this by taking part in bribery and corruption, in a coarse, and greedy scramble for office, etc. But good women would do no such things, and hence would not lose their moral in- fiuence and bad women have no moral influence to lose.
 Apart from the power which the pos session of a vote gives even to the most insignificant voter, anything that tends to make women broader minded and more thoughtful must necessarily increase their moral influence in general
 We have some light upon this question from experience. Rev. J. II. Burlison, pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Laramie City, Wyoming, being asked by all eastern correspondent whether wo- men were less respected because of hay ing the suffrage, answered, "They have suffered no loss of respect or considera- tion." Ex-Gov. Hoyt, of Wyoming, says that there women are not respected by men less than elsewhere, but rather more. U. s. Senator Carey, of Wyoming, says: | From the experiment. made under my own eyes and daily observation, can state in all candor that suffrage has been of real benefit to women. It gives to them a character and standing that they would not otherwise possess. It does not lower a woman to be consulted about public af- fairs, but is calculated to make her moro intelligent and thoughtful in matters that | concern her own household, especially in | bringing up her growing sons and daugh- | tels. It will raise her, not only in her ! own estimation, but in the esteem of man. It will make her a more important factor in her own home, more intelligent and | companionable, as well as more power full influence for good in the state. l know women who have exercised the fullest political rights for period of more than twenty years. They have taken the deepest interest in the political affairs of the territory and young state. Neither in their homes nor in public places, have they lost one womanly quality; but their minds have broadened out, and they have become more influential in the community in which they live.
 "An ounce of experience is worth a ton of theory. ."-AEce Stone BLdckaoeU.
 Within few days the statement has been made by the home secretary of the British government that before the end of the present session of parliament bill, which has already been carefully drawn, will be introduced in one of the two houses, embodying the recommendation of the parliamentary committee on the treatment of habitual drunkards. This bill contemplates giving power to local magistrates, upon adequate evidence, to consign inebriates to places of detention for as long period as the magistrate may deem best These places will be indus trial homes prepared for the purpose at the expense of the government, where the inebriates shall have such opportunities of reform as they do not enjoy under the present system and shall in the meantime be self-supporting, while, best of all, per. haps, their families are set free from the hopeless bondage and misery of their pres ence. How little the world knows the number of it's benefactors. We learned from a white-ribboner few days ago that a lady who would not on any account have her name mentioned long ago lived in Lansing, Mich, and learning that the law made even an unborn child the property of it's father, she determined to have it changed. For this purpose she went from house to house with petition which she carried to the house of representatives, and called every day of the session to see some mem- Der of it, always saying gently, You must not grow weary, for shall come regularly and shall keep on getting names to the petition until mother is made as much the possessor and guardian of her child as is its father" So gentle