The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-04-01
SuHrnr,sts and Anti-Suffrngists,

To TIFF EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir. May I
have n small space FOR \ few remarks on the
subject OF the extension OF the suffrage TO
women?
In The Sun Of Sunday. March 25, there was
an article signed Ida Hustled Harper which |
read with some amusement. In my opinion
one Of the greatest weaknesses OF the SUI
fracists is their inability 10 write on. and much
less 70 discuss. the man-suffrage Ques-
ton without apparently losing their tempers.
This gives the opposite party many opportuni-
ties to score. and l wish 10 call attention 10 one
or two points in Mrs. Harper's article.
She severely criticises Miss Mary f.. wilkins
for n public Interview. and advises her to keep
out Of sensational newspa pers'-her chief COM
plant against Miss Wilkins being that this very
wise woman does not want TO vote. The fact
that tho suffragists are continually rushing
into print because they 10 want TO vote would
seem 10 be open to much the same criticism.
though they are perhaps moro generally useful
because thoroughly annoyed and, therefore.
perfectly humorous.
\ little further on In her article Mrs. Harper
sarcastically observes. apropos OF a hearing be-
fore n committee Of he Massachusetts Legisla.
ture. that Mr. Thomas Russell. attorney for
the Man Suffrage Association. closed with the
same -peecn he has made regularly for hy,
years" The retort to mis- $50 obvious that 1t
almost makes one weep II there we're any.
hing new to reply to Mr. Russell wouli have 4
new closing speech; btt there Is such a cad
samenpss about the arguments OF the suflra-
gIsts that no new answer are required;
As a mem Der OF the Massachusetts Associa.
tion,Opposed to the Extension OF the Suffrage
tn Women by the way. Mrs. Harper has a deli
cious bit OF sarcasm on the initials used In
dhreviating the name ~ this association. |
have been present at a n I!nb Der OF hearings be-
$500. - - ~. cat u I ..~
ture. Nothing that ! saw or heard In the SUI
frnCist ranks moved me to change my views
o. the question OF giving women the right 10
vote. Our opponents displayed Q ~lamentable
lack Of dignity. they applauded continually
when any member NJ their side WINS speaking.
though repeatedly requested not to BY the
chairman. and their arguments were largely
attacks on the members oil their sex who did
not wish the ballot.
am as great a believer in nv sex as any one
and believe that as long as a woman keeps her
place she can exercise real influence. and Just
because she doesn't vote and doesn't try 70 run
public ma,,er> her opinion, '1rmed quietly at
! men II her household. Many public men are
,lerendent on their wives or mothers or sisters
ard often Tor advice, but, ! cannot think that
this would be the case II the wiyos and mothers
and %sisterso our voters were themselves down
IN the forefront ~ the battle. A woman In nm
fitted for the suffrage in many ways, She can
rot reason as a man can and would be perfectly
capable OF voting against acandidate because
nc nau rcu mar OF ,WoTt u yt,VN Hechtur'o
still more because she di not like his wife or
happened TO think her rude.
In my opinion the great majority OF Amer
jean women do not want the suffrage, and have
no desire To- vote. and as long "a this state Of
things continues universal suffrage will never
| prevail IN this country.
Women have so many exclusive orportuni-
ties and privileges now that they ought 70 be
glad and proud to use them well and not rrLoh
out after things that are beyond their sphere
and often beyond their comprehension II they
can bring IN brave sons to help their country
in time OF pence and fRht for her In time OF
war and daughters who do not wish TO be any.
thing but true, wpl-educated women and help
era 10 their mankind they will be doing a far
nohler work than casting votes or making pub
lie speeches. C.. l.. q.
HAMILTON, Mass, March 80.