The times., 1897-03-14

That is, l ask to be appointed envoy eX-
traordinary and minister plenpotentiary
to the United States of Colombia.
Il sent my application to the President
elect, and there are no national or state
laws prohibiting my appointment. Itseens
to me that we can truthfully say there is
no gender in brain and it is time TO do
away with the silly notion that there is
Every student of English law knows that
statutes imposing penalties are 10 be strict
l. construed So as toinclude everybody ana
shing not within their letter Statutes
creating privileges, conferrlng benefits,
are to be liberal construed SO as to in
clude every person within the reach OF
their spirit.
We have reached a period when women
are to have the benefit of both these
rules to coTrclate each other. Many have
said to me that there is no precedent for
appointing Il woman ambassador | reply.
the United States of America can estab-
lish precedcnts and make history
Il ask for the place because | think the
time has come when women should e
recognized in the diplomatic circle, and
because l believe l have ability and
strength of character enough TO warrant
my appointment The world shall know
| that one wumanat leasthas courgae enough
to undertake a line of work hitherto the
exclusive prerogative Of men.
Il know that / could learn to speak
Spanish in a very short time, for l al
| ready speak German and Italian and a
| little French. have been in Europe twice,
| once in 1872, when l stayed for two
| years, and then in 1889, returning in
| 1890. At first L thought of asking to
| be appointed minister to Germany. hut
| thought better OF it l like a warm eli
| mate, and South America would suit me -
| Il have been a woman suffragist ever
| since | can remember, and it was my
| greatest trouble when a child that could
| not go to town meeting with nay father
| while m brother. who was only six years
| older could. L do not remember when
| did not have wish TO vote. l have a nat
| ural love for politics. My father always
| held that a woman was just as good as
| man, and a little better, ana that there was
| no reason in the world why women ought
| not to vcte.
| Il am going to have a good following
| among the business and professional wo-
| mems clubs throughout the country IL
| Mr.. Harrison had been elected four years
/ ago | would have ske d him for an appoint
| ment then Some women think that I
/ should have asked for a more important
| mission, but | did not think best. though |
| have the legal ard political ability There
| are many women who can undoubtedly fill
| such u position as that for which l have
| applied, but they simply have not asked for
| it. OF course, know that the position is
| much sought for by men, for there is a
chance for making money there. Besides,
the salary is $4,000, though the German
| ministry pays $17,500 l should think
| that my record would surely entitle me to
recognition, for 1 have done hard work
| for the Republican party in this and in the
preceding campaigns.
Mrs. Ricker'S career has been bI illiant
| one. She was born i'll Durham, n. H, in
1910, being the daughter Of Jonathan B.
| and Hannah Young. After graduating from
thepublic schoolsand New London Academy,
| she etaught school for while, and then came
the time SO dear to the heart of all young
WON en- whether OF no they W ill confess it
the days of courtship and marriage The
fortunate pIan in this instance was John
/ Rioker.
Since her husbands death Mrs Kicker
has studied law faithfully and to excellent
! purpose. Her preceptorS We're Washington
attorneys of high reputation. She is per
| nitteG to practice before the supreme
| court OF the District OF Columbia and when
| size gained admission she stood first of the
class of nineteen who competed for the
honor. Her classmates were all men.
Later she was appointed United States