The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-06-26
GOES TO HOT SPRINGS.
Mrs. Mary Lease Soon to Leave for
Colorado,
WHERE SHE WILL RECUPERATE.

Has Been Reading TOIstOf and Has
Modified Her Views on Woman SAT-
fraxe-Thtnks Topek ais~HeAveaIy-"
A JOURNAL reporter called on Mrs.
Mary E Lease last evening. Mrs. Lease
does not look as if she had passed
through q severe spell of sickness. Her
eyes are just as bright and her con-
versation just as lively and vigorous as
ever Her right hand is however, almost
useless and she writes with difficulty, the
fingers being in a cramped condition re-
sulting from rheumatism
Her son Charles, who looks very much
like his brilliant mother is with her.
They are inseparable and she speaks OF
him with evidence of the fOndest admir-
alton. Referring to her affection she
said: 81 tried to use crutches but l
found that my crippled hand prevented
me from getting around that way and
Charley was my crutch, but now L am
able to get around without his assistance
Il have been very sick woman" she
continued, Though l know they tell me
l don't look as if / had been i'll |
almost got SO near the gates that | could
look through. but l am feeling much
better now. l am glad to get to Topeka
1t is a beautiful place. might say the
most beautiful town in Kansas, and l
have found no place in the United States
that 1 like better 1 have just returned
from a ride around the city and it was
Just heavenly"
"Have you heard of the assassination
of the president of France?" asked the
reporter.
s'Why, no; had not heard it," and
Mrs. Leases manner indicated surprise.
The reporter told her briefly of the &C.
currence.
"Weu," she said after a moments
thought, "they are on the brink of vol
cano over there as well as here. It is
awful terribleT
"What do you think of the suffrage
agitationf" asked the reporter, changing
the subject
The silver-tongued orator hesitated.
She seemed to be debating in her mind
what answer she should give.
"Well," she responded, l have been
a very earnest worker for the
emancipation of woman all my life. l
have lately been reading TolstOTs Won
derful book The Kingdom of God is
Within You He was a wonderful man.
| consider him as much inspired the
apostles l confess that it has made a
change in some of my views. Yes, it has
made change in me. Count Tolstoi advo-
Gates only the most peaceable methods
to remedy existing evils and stand with
him there for l have always abhorred
the shedding of blood. But the consti-
tuition of the United States provides for
is enfranchised she must subscribe to
that constitution and admit that she fav-
Ors murder; only people who would look
aghast at the murder of a single individ-
ual do not think il wrong when 500 or
1000 Of our brothers are murdered"
''You do not mean to say that you are
not in favor of woman suffrage?"
NO." continued Mr.. Lease, II did not
say that l only said my views have
been somewhat changed. When woman
is enfranchised, she will have to go down
herself in order to bring man up"
ibid you mean all you said in your
telegram to the Populist state conven-
tionS" asked the reporter, again chang
ing the subject
Eyes, l meant it, but you must remem-
Der that there were three propositions.
The first was anti-fusion, the second was
a suffrage plank, and the third was
clean, honest man at the head of the
ticket" As Mrs. Lease said "clean. hon
ost man." she dropped eyelid in an
expressive way. Now. do not want to
say another thing about politics, so don't
ask me any more political questions.
Il am anxious TO get to work | should
not be here now if / had not been anx-
ious to be at the last meeting of the
board Of charities. / am on my way to
eCanon City. Colo, to try the Hot Springs
and l want to see Warden McLister of
the state penitentiary of Colorado. There
Is bond Of sympathy between US, for
they tried to get rid of him too and
failed Governor Waite telegraphed to
him, after the trouble, that he was rein
stated, and he replied: 'Reinstated,
nothing have never been out;'" and
Mrs. Lease laughed merrily.
hat do you think OF the women
asking the Democrats for a suffrage
plank"
"Oh, that is just spIendidr enthusi-
astically responded the disciple of Toll
stoi- Il hope they will go into that con-
vention 10000 strong and just capture it.
The Democrats won't complain then that