The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-10-30
THREE WOMEN WHO ARE OPPOSED TO SUFFRAGE FOR THEIR SEX

cal meetings. may 10. have much mind.
hGs with that which have know where
nsy place g First Of all 10 keep he ten
commandments, then "a make my home
comfortable and happy. TO rear my chls-
dren 10 love their God ana 10 die. II need
b.. for their country. 20 sFed all the e1sn-
shine that can upon al tbs world. ara
last. though not least. 10 80 merit the owe
OF my honored husband hat ae VIII never
fail ne. even At the pollA
n@INDLY give space to the following
I'm for the benefit OF those who are
Il IA neither tor nor against woman suf-
frage:
read the article SO ably written by Mrs
". Wilson Crannell in the Post-Inteli'gen-
and, while am neither for nor against
woman suffrage. not having arrived al =
satisfactory conclusion as to whether suf-
fraSe would be the ultimate good OF women
and the nation al large. and am therefore
open 10 conviction | yet must take excep-
items 10 some Of her reasons against It.
She writes in the aforesaid article that
what suffrage extended TO al! women WITH
out regard 10 education or morality. would
entail" and gives this as part OF TIE plat
form. SO 10 speak. upon which the anti
suffragists stands. and one oe the reasons
why the voters OF the state OF Washing
ton should not indorse woman suffrage:
Now cannot see that the above reason"
Is any argument against woman Suffrage:
bat on the contrary. as / will endeavor TO
prove. 1t is a strong argument in favor or
suffrage for women
II the RICH, of suffrage is given TO men
without regard to education or morality
land 1t is). why then should II be withheld
from women for such a reason?
Whether the granting of suffrage 70
women would purify politics or not or
whether /. would be wise to extend suf-
srage TO women In the same way tha, it
Is given TO men. wit hout regard 70 educa-
ton or morality" for the benefit OF the
few who feel at times that 1t would be a
boon, is deha table question, and one that
|. for one, would not be willing 10 counte-
nance until felt better satisfied as 10 tho
advsabiity Of it. / am OF the opinion,
however. that suffrage as II is enjoyed by
man today. Is not right. But, since IL has
been given 10 man. l cannot see how the
died by extending the right of suffrage to
women IN the same way. unless indeed, ii
might counteract. In part at least. the bad
effects that have existed for SO long be-
cause OF suffrage being enjoyed at present
by the same class OF men as would be by
women to whom the granting Of suffrage.
AIRS, Cranneli contends would demoralizs
tie ballot.
Ny individual idea regarding this matter
Is, that suffrage should not be extended TO
any person. male or female. excepting up
on the following conditions:
l. Every American desiring suffrage
should be q years OF age. This. Of course.
is the first requirement. nowo
2 Every person should be able to read
and write the English language
3. Every person should be Obliged to pass
a certain examination in civil government
in order 10 be able to exercise the right of
suffrage in an intelligent manner. This lat
ter should be an important cond ton.
Foreigners, who have lived under a mo-
have been educated In this country in Eng
lish schools. or soma place where they have
formed a good idea OF our form OF govern
naent and can pass the required exaEnina-
ton, should be obliged 10 spend from ten
to fifteen years In this country before be-
Ing entitled to the right Of suffrage. This
would seem at FIRST glance a long time. but
when we consider that an American must
be q years of age, and no allowance made
for inherited Ideas before he has the right
20 vote. l think the time Is short enough
requisite for an intelligent vote on city.
county and state affairs. much less ma
tionaL Then, II suffrage were given 10
women under the same conditions. think
Whether they would be purified or not is
a question wherein a great many things
are involved besides knowledge OF reading
and writing aud the ability to pass the re-
Quired examination.
The sentiments expressed by Mrs. Gran
nell in many OF her reasons" are grand
notably TIE one which states that at is the
mothers who are 70 upbuild the nation by
implanting faith in their sons. who shall
eventually cause the nations faith TO show
itself in works" And again: when
man recalls his mother, what appeals to
him most? Is Il not her sweet wonlanli-
ness. her sweet and tender care OF the
home and family? Her .res.fulness when
the care Of business, Of political life. have
worn tue body as well az the nind?' In
connection with the latter. / might say
that | think the sentiments expressed
vor Of woman suffrage: for such a woman
as Mrs. Cranneii pictures would be very
desirable factor in politics. A strong char
ac.er. seif-contained and self-reliant In a
measure and withal a lovely sympathetic
womanly woman. And she must be all OF
these or how could she govern her little
kingdom Of home In such way as to
make her boys recall her in the beauti-
full way Mrs. CFannel portrays. when they
are grown to manhood and out In the world
In business. politics or whatever. pursuit
or calling they may be following?
=
Put what OF the woman who has no
home. VINO IS the busy worker day In and
day out, year In and year out, for others
rted, perhaps the Dependent, ones are her
children. II not. they may be brothers and
sisters, father and mother. or some loved
Invalid relation; and as 20 how many such
there are, we have but 70 look about us
daily 10 ascertain. Ii seems 70 me that
nearly every working woman | meet has
some loved one dependent upon her for
support She Is one VINO must often fight
hsr battles alone. ard TO whom, perhaps
the ballot would AFFORD relief ia many in
stances, ] 10 TOT claim that II would but
ii IS possible that Il would. and cannot
see that Mrs Crannstrs reasons" have
proven anything 10 the contrary. also
think that the lady Is mistaken when she
asserts that 1t Is only the foolish wornen
who ask for the ballot
In conclusion. IL Is not necessary for me
10 reiterate hat am neither a suIraz4st
nor an anti-suHraglsf. There are many
arguments for and against. and have mere
e11eaT0red 10 give sGnae Of nv cwu as they
occur to me. 5at | must SAY tiat even 10
a neutral person Mrs. Cranaells plat
form" does not appeal n ne
Thank re ou for your kind consideration
and trusting that / have not taken up too
much space. / an, Very truly yours.
tkNs