El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1898-06-11
A MAIDEN MAYOR.
Miss Jessie Parker. the Youthful
Executive of KendriCk, Idaho.
st. Louis Globe Democrat.

st. Louis Globe Democrat.
A bright faced girl presides over IT,
destinies of Kendrick, Idaho, as may
or. She did not, leading host of of
Tended femininity, assault the battle
ments of man, and wrest from hin
municipal power; she was elected by
the people-all the people-and nc
voters ever intrusted such power with
SO much confidence, both in the ability
and the Intent of the recipient thereof
to faithfully and honestly discharge
the onerous duties pertaining to public
Office. Search the world over, and il
is doubtful if a parallel case will be
found. In the heydey of maiden
volitles of the springtime of life spread
out before her, Miss Jessie Parker, for
such 10 the name OF Hendricks new
mayor, eschews them all, and assumes
the perplexing cares connected with
the admins tration of the affairs of q
young western municipality, with side
walks to be laid streets to be improved,
bridges constructed and frequent and
bothersome meetings with men who
present all sorts Of schemes for city
advancement from saw mills to rail-
roads. Trials and tribulations confront
this maiden mayor, but she has enter
ed into the discharge of her duties
with q vim, apparently entertaining a
robust determination TO demonstrate
to mighty man that there are others.
Miss Parker is a very prepossessing
young woman, with just enough dash
to color her dignity. With % years
ness to which her age entities her;
and, above all, she possesses q clean in
tellect, with admira bic faculties of dis
cernment. All these attachments were
weighed when Miss Parker was NOM
mated. 1t must be borne in mind tn at
in far-off Idaho, where beautiful val
legs beribbon the sun-scorched sage
brush plains, and the jack rabbit and
the mining promoter hold high carni-
to participate in politics, but to vote;
and while, for a year they have ex-
ercised the franchise, outside of school
positions, none of them has held office.
Mis- Parker Is the first. Believing
that women are in every respect equal
ly qualified with men to hold public
office, she consented to allow her name
to be used, and she was elected by q
fattering majority.
Miss Parker talks very Interestingly
about her campaign and her plans for
the future. "When the question OF
my candidacy was first broached," she
said, talking with a mixture of the de-
bonair of the college girl and crafty
satisfaction of the successful politician,
: its very boldness staggered me. 1
really stammered by surprise and
awkwsrdly asked for time. But as l
thought over the matter, my self-pos-
and finally determined to allow my
name to be used, but when the delega-
ton of ladies and gentlemen waited on
me for my answer, experienced much
the feelings of the graduation girl
when she faces her admirers to de-
monstrate her fitness for the honor
about to be conferred upon her, and
when thew went outside and the air
rang with cries of l'Hurrah for
Miss Parker, our next mayor and
all that sort of thing I shrank back in
lied more than ever that was only q
my feverish brain that after all wo-
mans sphere did not embrace politics.
How awful it all seerled, with young
men and old, charging through the
streets crying 'Hurrah for Parker!'
and then imagined 1 could hear some
of them in q fit of observation-disclosures
demanding in stentOrian tones to know.
What's the matter with Parker?' and
to hear proclaimed with equal vehe-
mence In6G hes all rlRn6. LII WAS
terrible. But after time l became
more calm, and even laughed at my
fears. l was no longer q weak girl,
but woman, filed with all the aspira-
tions that may fill the breast of any
daughter of Idaho. Embol-
dened by the reaction, l made q VOW
to face it; and I did.
1.-THE men were very kind to me q II
the way through. And that counted a
great deal. I think l should have
been tempted to have given it up in
there had been any disposition shown
to make such q fight on me as 1 had
known to be conducted between man
and man. Strong arguments were
used against me, and my sup
porters and myself esssyed to answer
them. 1 say strorg arguments;
they were only strong arguments when
viewed through the opposition eye, for
they all resolved themselves into the
simple objection that women did not
have as much sense as men and there
fore we're not qualified to hold office.
OF course, they did not say that in 30
many words. They were very polite
about it. and we as politely informed
them that our humble judgment was
that not all the knowledge of the
world was bosomed beneath unfeather-
cd mats. Flight mere, however, L want
to cay that go on record rs saying
that home is woman's first duty; but if
she has none then 1 think she should
be allowed not only an equal voice in
the conduct of affairs political but d.
rect hand in the management of public
business.
"As to my plans for the future,
have not yet had sufficient time to full
~ determine. 1 am only one of five,
and while expect to exert an influence
with the council, still my duties are
limited. I will have voice in all
matters looking to the advancement
and improvement of the city, and will
appoint officers, etc. but 1 am without
q vote, of course, excepting in case of a
tie. However, the council and myself
are in harmony on the general policy
of our administration, and 1 anticipate
no dissension. Should it come, how
ever, l will exercise vigorously the
given me by law. The
element can not run this
city while l am in office. There is no
question about that. Law and order
will be maintained and all necessary
will be made, and that
without pacing too heavy q burden
upon our people,
II