The sun. (Wilmington, Del.) 1897-19??, 1898-05-22
A WOMAN MAYOR.
Kendrick, Idaho, Has the Only
Woman in the Country to Occupy
Such a Position.

kendrick, Idaho, has young lady
mayor who proudly bears the distinction
of being the only woman in this country
who occupies that position.
Her name is Miss Jessie Pasker, and
woman, with just enough dash to color
her dignity. With twenty-five years to
her credit she bears all the freshness to
which her age entities her, and, above
all, she possesses a keen intellect, with
admirable faculties of dlscernment. All
these attanments were weighed when
Miss Parker was nominated.
| 1t must be borne in mind that in far
off Idaho, where beautiful valleys be-
ribbon the sun scorched sage bush plains
and the jack rabbit and mining promoter
hold high carnival, women are entitled
not only to participate in politics, hut to
vote, and While for year they have en-
ercised the franchise, outside OF school
positions none Of them has held Office.
Miss Parker talks very interestingly
about her campaign and her plans for tile
future. "Whcn the question Of nay can.
didacy was first broached," she said,
talking with a mixture Of debonair Of the
college girl and the crafty satisfaction OF
the successful politician, ''it's very bold
ness staggered me. | really stammered
my surprise, and awkwardly asked fol
time. But as thought over the matter
my Self.possession returned. reasoned
it all ont, and final y determined to allow
my name to be used, but when the dele
CATION OF ladies and gentlemen waiteC
on me for my answer | experienced
much the feelings of the graduation CIR
when she faces her admirers to demon
strate her fitness for the honor about t.
be conferred upon her, and when the,
went outside and the air rang with crie
OF 'Hurrah for Miss Parker, our mex
Mayorn and all that sort of thing,
shrank back in horror, and then real
lied more than ever that | was only
girl, until the thought coursed through
, my feverish brain that after all woman
sphere did not embrace politics.
GLOW awful it all seemed, with youn,
! men and old charging through TIE street
crying "lIurrah for Parker!" and then
imagined | could hear some of them in
fit of observation-disclosures demand in stem
: torian tones to know "What is the mat
ter with Parker"' and to hear proclaime,
. with equal vehemence that "He's al
. right!' 1t was terrible. But after
time | became more calm, and evel
: laughed at my fears. | was no longer
; weak girl, but woman, filled with al
:. the aspirations that may fill the breas
u of any ambitious daughter of Idaho
II m fl hIyt I,n 7 d.
; vow to face it, and | did.
y ''The men were very kind to me al
$ the way through. And that counted
4 great deal. think should have bee
h tempted to have given it up in the yer
: middle of the campaign if there had bee
Il any disposition shown to make suchafgl
e on me as had known to be conducte
s. between man and man. Strong argument
n were used against me, and my supper
y ers and myself essayed to answer then
! say strong arguments; they were onl
u, strong arguments when viewed throug
" the opposition eye, for they all resolve
!. themselves into the simple lection thu
women did not have as much sense 4
;, men, ard, therefore, were not qualllc
~ -, to hold office.
r. OF course they did not say that in S
". many words. They We're very polt
:, about it, and we as politely inf0rme
=, them that our humble Judgment wa
;s that not all the knowledge of the worl
Is was to be found beneath unfcathere
=, i hats
y "As to my plans for the future, hay
not yet had sufficient time to fully d,
s. termine. | am only one OF fve an
y while ! expect to exert an.inllucnce wit
a the Council, still my duties are limiteC
It will have a voice in all matters lookin
Il to the advancement and improvement
y of the city and will appoint policemen
II etc, but am without a vote OF cours,
1t excepting in case OF tic However, til