The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-28
WOMAN IN POLITICS.
Miss Susan d. Anthony's Opinion on
the Subject.


the Subject.
There is no point which ought to be
so strongly emphasized. no fact which SO
needs to be impressed upon those women
who are now organizing to work for the
different political parties, as that of their
utter powerlessness to help or hinder.
Senator James II. Lane, OF Kansas, al
ways used to say to those who came beg
ging him to assist their pet measures:
We'll, what do you propose to do for me
in return?"
This was a brutality blunt way of put
ting into words what every politician says
in effect when he ignores the prayers and
petitions of women.
1t is the philosophical and inevitable
consequences of our democratic-republi-
can form Of government. in which posi-
tion and power are conferred by the cleo
tors Those who desire promotion must
establish themselves in the favor of those
who can grant it, and there is nothing to
be gained by catering to any other class.
This may be placing government on a
low plane. 1t is altrusm with limit;
desire to help others in the exact pro-
portion that others help US. 1t is the
Golden Rule read backward: Have others
do unto you in the precise ratio that you
do unto them.
Such is the present status-not the
fault of the individual, but the result
of the systematic electorate governs. 1t
gives and it fades way. All outside of
this body are without power to do either.
This is the position of women. Their
interest in political issues, their ability
to comprehend them, their desire to in
fluencc them cannot be questioned. All
of these become more evident with each
national campaign.
BY November 6 there will be scarce
ly woman in the United States SO de-
void of patriotism as not to wish to
cast her vote for one or the other of the
Presidential candidates.
1t is because women long to assist the
party which represents their ideas on pub
lie questions that they form their political
organizations, open their headquarters,
fly their banners. wear their badges, send
out their literature, make speeches, and
march in procession.
The party leaders welcome all the grist
which comes to their mill; they do not
accept every element which increases the
enthusiasm. and they honestly desire the
sympathy and cooperation of women.
In politics neither the labors nor the
opinions of women have any apprecianle
influence unless enforced by the ballot.
There are object lessons without num-
Der to prove this assertion.
The old Abolitionists were perfectly will
ing to have women share their obloquy and
ostracism, but when they became strong
political party they refused to divide their
power with women.
The Prohibition party was feeble and
Intellectual until REINFORCED by the elo-
Quence. enthusiasm, and organized effort
OF the Woman's Christian Temperance I'M
ion; but Immediately after casting its
largest vote, in the hope Of Increasing its
strength. the woman suffrage plank was
dropped from the platform.
The Populist party, largely made up In
the beginning of farmers alliances and
oranges, which always had advocated
equality of rights for women, stood at first
for this principle, but the moment fusion
with the Democrats gave promise OF victo-
~ the women were thrown overheard.
For a number of years women have Lad
a national Republican association, with
auxiliaries in many States. working might
and main for the success Of that party.
Yet. NOTWITHSTANDING all this, tney never
have been able to secure a recognition Of
their rights in its national platform, and
the first act of the present executive conf
mittee has been to abolish the woman's
bureau for the campaign Of 1900.
In consideration OF these indisputable
facts, would 1t not show more wisdom,
common sense, and self-respect in women
to organize and work to make themselves
a part Of the electorate before they labor
in behalf Of any political party?
In allyfng themselves with the gold
basis element, for instance, they antag-
onize every man who believes in free
coinage In joining the forces Of ''16 to
1" they array in opposition all the men
who advocate a gold standard. In taking
sides for or against expansion they arouse
the luminosity of all who hold the opposite
view. In espcusing the cause OF prohibi-
ton they repel not only the liquor deal
ers and the Incorporate, but also the be-
levers in license and in moderate drink
ing.
No one party or one class Of men will
ever enfranchise women; but 1t will have
to be done by combination OF the
friends in all parties and all classes.