Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-11-11
LADIES IN EARNEST.
An Echo of the Campai0n.

Political managers and the public in
general have been deeply interested in
the national vote of the women In this
campaign. This was carried on by
means of postal cards sent by women
all over the United States to desig-
mated manufacturing office whose cler.
ical force handled and counted the
ballots. While it is true that the bal
lots cannot be counted for the favorite
presidential candidates of the fair
voters, the movement has underneath
it deep significance, giving an excel
lent illustration of the drift of opinion
among women, on public matters, as
compared with the expressed opinion
by men.
1t will be observed that the Prohibi-
ton vote is very much heavier in
proportion to the other votes, than is
shown in the mems election. There
are some thousands of names which
cannot be counted as votes, for the
reason that only those whose signature
appeared on the postal card or enve-
lOpe were counted. Many of the ladies
in their. honesty of purpose failed ITO
realize that much unfairness might
creep in if votes were counted on the
testimony of some other individual
! than the voter. The vote has been
strictly fair and accurately reported,
no prejudice being allowed in the office
OF the Postum Cereal Food Coffee Co.,
whose Office force, by the way, are
about equally divided in their opinions
on the gold and silver question
This woman's vote has cal'el forth
letters from many prominent women
throughout the country, and while
they know the votes do not count de
facto, the writer's appreciate the un-
DERIVING motive in the movement,
which is to bring to the front the idea
Of the right of women to express their
opinion as to who shall make the laws
under which they. as well as men, are
governed. There is quaintness run
ming through the following letter that
will be appreciated. perhaps. The
letter comes from Baltimore. Md.
Never mind the name or the candidate
she voted for.
Postum Cereal Food Coffee Co.,
Battle Greek Mich
Gentlemen:-I am very grateful to YOU for
| the benefcent privilege of voting this fan.
through this one act, you prove that you
| think your mothers, wives sisters and sweet
| hearts are citizens of these United States. l
! never was foreigner, and yet this is the first
| time l have ever been a citizen
| l have never been a traitor, nor spy of any
kind, never was bank-rObber, counterfeter
| or thief, never placed in reformatory and
| let loose few days before election, never
been drunkard nor pauper, The opposite
| sex tell me the reason why have never been
| a citizen, is because | was not born right.
| Therefore, for over half century, | have
been unable to cast my vote.
| Ii pleases me to cast my first vote for true
american principles, | sincerely trust that
/ the women of our land will be free to vote
| hereafter and demonstrate that we are pro-
| crossing in the right direction, for our vote
| Will be an honest one for an honest purpose
/ Tor right thinking, right living, which will
| give us an honest and intelligent lot of vCt-
| ers, whose efforts VIII be to put into office
! the man that will stand firm against all that
| is evil. 1t is of great concern to us who shall
| be our rulers, and if they stand for political
| power and greedy ends alone. the inevitable
! result must be wicked in their administra-
| ton.
In the hope that the right may ever be up
| pefmost, am, Yours very truly,
| Mrs. -
The postal cards and letters have
been dragging along by various DELAYS
of mail, and it bias been impossible to
give correct report until now. II is
published, even at this late date, in
order to give the reader clear idea of
how the ladies expressed themselves.