The age-herald., 1901-06-23
Mr Craig Gives Reasons for
 His Resolution EQUAL SUFFRAGE IN ALABAMA
Discussed From the View Point of the Club Woman and the Politician, Edna Smith Talks of Her Work
 In Paris-Soclety News.
BY ANNIE kENDRlck WALKER.


 The cause of womans suffrage has been so unexpectly promoted in Alabama that the present discussion of the subject has created a remarkable interest throughout the State, all the more remarkable by reason of the well-known prejudice that has long existed against the enfran- chizement of women, and particularly the Indifference with which this subject is so generally regarded. Indeed this in- difference is the influence that has re- tarded the growth of the woman's suf- frage movement quite as much if not more than has the ridicule that has been hurled at the women foremost in the suffrage cause.
 That the subject is now being consider ed with greater seriousness by the think ing men and women of the country, and that it is being given a dignified hearing by men gathered to frame the laws of commonwealth places 1t no longer in the class affecting the woman question" but as a public one and as such entitled to serious consideration.
 Even those who have aruged that suffrage for women is on the wane will be forced to admit that the arguments that have recently been brought forth by several of Alabama's ablest men are not 'he hackneyed phrases so long used in fa- yor of enfranchisement, but with certain issues at stake there are new and impor- tant phases brought out by those who are giving the subject close study.
 The resolution introduced in the consti- tutional convention by Hon. B. M Craig giving the right of suffrage to the women ol Alabama is discussed in today's Age Herald by a number of men and women who were asked for an opinion, their views on any subject being worthy of consideration, and 1t is a strong argument for those in favor of womans enfran- chisement that every person who was asked to discuss Mir. Craig's resolution recognized that it was one of unusually wide significance and that cit should be SD regarded by the delegates to the con s;itutional convention.
 Mir. Craig has given an impetus to the movement that has brought it recognition from the most unexpected quarters, and the question of whether the new constitu- f.ion for the State of Alabama will direct .he Legislature authorizing women to vote has developed the minds of many women who have hitherto been indiffer-. e3t to the arguments used In their behalf. They are beginning to realize why women should no longer be denied the privilege of raising their voices in protest against those measures in which they are con eorned, and the arguments used in favor Of woman's enfranchsement can no long CT be received in silence or made the basis for a joke of which woman is the victim.
 That women are taking so prominent part in the worlds advancement, bring ing what influence they can upon so many measures affecting the interests of the country, gives today dignity to any de- mand they may make to legislative bod ies, and clearly shows that. whereas their influence, always brought to bear, as 1t Is, upon problems of great educa- tional and philanthropical interests, the privilege of voting upon these measures could not be entrusted to safer hands
 I know of no stronger argument to be rsed by those who favor enfranchising women than 8 retrospective glance at what the great organizations of women have accomplished in the past few years, end I am not referring to any of the arguments used by the womans suffrag- Lst touching upon unequal and unjust suffrage laws. But if woman Is to be forever debarred from casting her vote on the ground that she should not be drag sed into politics, why should she be so capably endowed with an understanding to grasp the problems. that she now dis cusses and upon which she is exerting 10 great an influence If she can no longer close her eyes to conditions; if, as u. Alabama, she urges legislative action to be taken that will free the States rhildren from mill owners. and raising the educational standards of Alabama, there bv lifting her from her present disgrace fui distinction for illiteracy; if woman, seeking to give State protection to the oriminally inclined child and giving him