Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-08-25
WOMEN WHO ARE PROMINENT IN POLITICAL WORK

in advanced feminine circles where
shine many political stars Of the first
magnitude.
one Of the greatest Of the women
politicians Of this country is Mrs. Annie
Digs, journalist and orator Of Topeka,
and present Kansas state librarian. She
Is a small woman, with a gift OF logic
and elOquence that her state has been
willing 10 reward in spite Of the fact
that she belonged not TO the franchised
sex. Although not much bigger than
a minute, Mrs. Diggs has a good deal
10 say about almost everything In To-
peka. She IS liked by Republicans,
Democrats and Popuiists. once, when
Mrs, Digs wanted some metal shelly
ing for her library. she convened a
meeting Of the state officers and the
governor 20 discuss the question
There was no money TO buy shelving
and Mrs. Diggs did not wish to remove
the books into their new and spacious
rooms just completed unless better
shelving was provided. The governor
and officers wished to temporize, but
the state librarian wanted her own
way.
She said. III you have no money, we
viii not move until you get IT,"
They got II.
The story OF her famous oratorical
duel with Mrs. Lease Is history Mrs.
Lease arrayed herself In opposition to
Mrs, Digs, publicly protesting her
belief that Mrs. Digs was disloyal 10
the cause Of Populism. one evening
the two women were engaged 10 speak
at the same meeting at Topeka. Mrs.
Lease spoke first and her arraignment
Of Mrs Digs was a bitter one. Mrs.
Digs waited quietly until Mrs. Lease
had finished her speech. As Mrs. Lease
donned her hat and cloak 10 leave the
hall Mrs. Digs was introduced 20 the
audience. Turning toward Mrs. Lease
she looked her squarely in the face
and. pointing one finger menacingly
at her. said In low, intense tones;
Woman, you have He'd"
The audience carried away by the
dramatic rejoiuder, arose 10 it's feet
and cheered Mrs Digs 10 the echo.
Mrs Lease. not knowing what to do,
hurried from the hail. showing every
evidence Of CONSERVATION. Since then
Mrs. Digs has held the FIRST place In
the affections Of the Kansas Populists,
a position which no attacks or ISLANDERS
have In the least shaken.
Mrs Mary Elizabeth Lease. with
Mrs. Annie Digs. was instrumental
in removing Senator Ingalls, from con-
gress They reused the people by their
speeches denouncius the good faith OF
the senator in supporting the farmers
interests In the senate His downfall
subsequent TO their campaign Of fiery
eloquence was like Lucifers-swift and
terrible, for he fell never TO hope
again. Mrs Digs is a stanch sup
porter Of Mr. Bryan.
Mrs Lease is a picturesque figure
She Is not beautiful and she Is not
graceful but her great vloloncello voice
and her magnetism may be counted
upon 20 sway the popular audience as
the cyclone stirs The Kansas corn Her
successes are never negative; her au-
diences are either carried away In
storms OF sympathy or opposition. She
wears Paris gowns and hats and likes
them She is interested In spirituallsm
and sometimes lectures on the subject
on her mothers side Mrs Lease Is
descendant Of the Scottish Murrays,
whose family head is the Duke Of
Athol Her father was an Irish gem
tleman compelled TO leave his country |
for expression OF sentiments antago-
alstic TO the English government. Mrs.
Lease lives al Wichita and has several /
an OF them bright and we'll /
brought up. Mr. Lease was az one /
time a farmer. and then a drug store |
Keeper. He was not an unqualified sue |
less IN either calling
Mrs. J. Ellen Foster, the president Of I