The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-09-26
NOTED WOMEN HERE.


Mrs. Lease and Mrs. Foster.
The two greatest women orators in the
United States were in town at the same
time today. Mrs. ]. Ellen Foster and
Mira M. Elizabeth Lease broke bread
under the roof OF Topeka hotels this
morning.
hrs J. Ellen Foster, president of the
Woman's National Republican associa-
ton, has just finished her second week
in Kansas, and she will be here for 10 days
complete the work Of the campaign in
that state She will make her last
speech in the state in Topeka on the
evening Of October s.
II have never seen so large meetings."
said she to a JOURNAL reporter, or such
large audiences from the rural districts
Great wagon loads of farm people came
ten TO twenty-five miles to attend after
noon meetings Among the country
people there Is marked change of opin-
ion concerning Populism- The farmt e
and farmers wives are realizing that the
promises Of the Peoples party have not
been redeemed, but on she contrary the
administration or the state affairs by the
present administration has been waste
full of the peoples money and shameful
Of the peoples honor.
The women also realize that the ques-
ton ~ good government, which involves
the dignity Of law and the certainty of
its enforcement, must not be sacrificed,
even though some of them feel keenly
the absence Of a recognition of woman
suffrage in tho Republican platform.
All Intelligent women know that every
interest Of womeu-social educational,
legal and political are safer in the hands
OF Republicans than IN any other. A
woman who today in Kansas gives her
strongest influence and her best work TO
the support Of Rspublicanism is doing,
in my opinion, the most for herself and
her home.
Il do not mean to say that the women
who are working for political equality
from nOn-partisan standpoint are doing
inferior work-by no means. No grander
reform ever engaged the attention of any
people than Is pending in the amend
ment now before Kansas, but / make no
plea from q Republican standpoint for
the adoption Of this amendment, al
though I believe the amendment will
carry III the state, and that a largo pro-
portion of its supporters Will be Repub-
Icans.
Il do not impugn the motives Of any
man who is opposed to woman suffrage.
l do not believe his opposition is always
grounded in ignorance. or arrogance, or
a desire 70 keep women down Some
few men believe that a wOman's vote
might be an advantage to the state, but
they fear the effect upon woman herself.
Il believe they are sincere when they
say they shrink from this new departure
to the arena Of political controversy and
expose her to possible contamination of
practical politics. / think the apDrehen-
sions of these men are not we'll grounded,
but appreciate the chivalry of their mo-
tive
II have had large experience among
women and IN WOman's work. I believe
woman's power in the home and her in
huence for everything good and her
precious relation 70 the family, to socie-
ty and to all that is best in life will be
increased by giving her the ballot l do
not say this as Republican. say this
as a woman and as a lover Of my coun-
try and Of the race"
do you-speak for woman suffrage?''
questioned the reporter.
mo, not specifically" replied Mrs.
Foster. 81 am in Kansas as a RepubIi-
can, advocating the doctrines of the par
ty as they are set forth in the national
and state platforms / do declare my
personal convictions on the pending
amendment but do not attemp t to drive
Republican voters TO support it on party
grounds The interests Of good govern
ment require that all classes of citizens
shall sustain the Republican party in its
noble determination to redeem Kansas
from present misrule and pending an
archy. ] am proud to welcome to the
Republican ranks and am glad to stand
myself in the rank Of the Republican
party, whether or not all voters believe
in woman's claim to political equality
ssWhat do you think of the chances of
Republican success in Kansas this year?"
II have every reason to expect the Re-
publican vote will give large majority
for our ticket and that Kansas will be
happy again in its old time prosperity
and respectability."
Mrs. Lease Returns from Missouri.
Mrs. NJ f. Lease returned today from
Missouri where she made eight political
speeches. Il expect to work in the Kan
said she TO JOURNAL reporter Il have
calls from AL over the state and will
fill as many of them as possible
before election. Every attack made
upon me has been made because of pOliti-
cal hatred or Jealousy. To show my
enemies what they think Of me in Mis-
souri, here is an extract from a Demo-
cratic paper, commenting upon my
speech at Nodaway:
"'W Whatever one may think as to the
merits or dement's of her arguments all
will concede her to be a splendid plat
form speaker. She has a ready com
mand of choice language, has a remark
ably good voice, tells anecdotes well,
makes her Illustrations plain. and is a
woman Of great power. perseverance and
fortitude- The Peoples party has a
right to be very proud Of her.
II have made arrangements to fill the
pulpit of the First Christian church dur
ing the absence of Mr.. Smith, either on
the 21st or 2Sth- I will PrObably speak
from the lives Of Dives and Lazarus, SO
that can talk about the common errors
of the day"
MIST RE FOR Or AGATNST