The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-04-04
NOT IHr WOMAN LEGISLATORS.
A Story from Colorado that Was Not
Founded on Fact.

Editor Post: In The POST. Of March 2,
Mr.. J. l.. Prince. OF Cripple Greek, makes
statement in regard 70 Colorado legisla-
tors 50 grossly insulting. and 50 contrary
70 the facts. that some effort has been
made to prove the fslsity OF his charges.
After saying that the good people OF
Colorado persistently aivoSatc the puri-
tying influences II women voting in the
State, Mr.. Prince relates how the fsc-
lions opposed to a certain bill laid a
plan by which two female menloeIs OF
the Legislature invited 10 a littse Sup
Per Two OF the male advocates OF tue
bill. and while the latter were so entranC-
81 with the bewitching attentions Of their
hostesses as 10 be OF guard. subsidized
waiter was 10 put a few Knockout drops
in the bssr or wine"
In letter 10 NE. from MIS- Harriet c..
r. Wright, a member of the Colorado
House, she says that Mr. Princes false
and misleading staten ent and vile SIAN
der was read by the prominent men,
oers OF the House, including the Speaker.
with the greatest surprise, and the mem
6ers from Cripple Creek were justly in
dlgnant' Mrs Wright. Mrs. Lee, and Dr.
Mary ?. Barry, the three woman members
OF The Legislature, all favored and voted
Tor the bill referred to; therefore. they
could have no object in presiding at a sup
per 10 defeat ii. The truth is. the hos
tesses at the supper were hired by men
outside the legislature" and they are fuI-
~ explained in letter from Hon. VIII
liam G. Smith, Speaker of the Colorado
House Of Representatives, which accom-
panied Mrs. Wright's letter.
The expressions OF this man Prince. con-
sldered with the facts in the case. so
thoroughly explain the man that no
further comment is necessary. He evident
~, and very justly, does not approve OF
woman legislators INDUCING in the dis
honorable tricks of the traditional! poll
uclan; but he seems to carry his restric-
uons no further. The following is Mr..
Smiths letter:
STATE q Colorado House Of Representatives
Denver. Col, March q, 1893.
Editor Washington Post:
Dear Sir: / have just noticed q clfpsns from vour
paper, under date OF March O. nsiauatiug that the
woman members Of the House OF Representatives Of
COLORADO have been guilty OF conspiracy to prevent
TIE passage OF certain measure. by inveigIiur a
couple O. the members from registering their vote on
certain measure pending before said BODY The in
terFieW Is said 10 be from Mr. Prince Of Cripple
Creek. and charges the female legislators with CON
spring by disrepuable means to accomplish the pur-
pose charged desire TO correct this misstatement
me women who were charged with trying to use
Knockout crops upon members we're outside dis
reputable persons, who were not connected with the
Legislature, but who excluded from the floor OF
the house by the undersigned. Our woman members
are all OF the highest character and standing Yours
truly WILLIAM 6. SMITH. Speaker.
I'm PEASANT. one is almost tempted to
t I'M that the tive men might be criticised
Tor accepting the invitation to the little
supper, and it would seem that there
would be no risk in selecting two good
Wcmen to MI their places in the Colorado
Legislature.
Apr ?, 1899. NETTIE LOUISA WHITE.