New-York tribune., 1902-12-20
WOMEN IN POLITICS.
They 4re Out Of Their Element,
Says asa Bird Gardner.

-rve been allotted ten minutes in which to
give my views society women in politics." said
Asa Bird Gardiner, In the conference 1.-The
Ideal Twentieth Century Salon." for the benefit
OF the Sunday Kindergarten, at the Waldorf
Astoria yesterday afternoon; but it really
won't take two TO tell what I think of any
kind o; women in politics. They out of their
element, wholly and unalterably out Of place. And
If you'll notice they usually to grief.
For instance. Joan Of Arc-she's the earliest
example my memory supplies me with at the
moment-you know what happened to her. And
within the last decade recall instance or
two of this mania right here in New-York City
One Of them is now IN the insane asylum, and
the other-weIl, she isn't talking any more at
any rate To be really effective IN politics
ought to be the power behind the throne out Of
sight and out Of hearing. but, nevertheless the
real force that makes for clear legislation and
the prevalence OF patriotic principles And if
you'll notice. the whose wife knows how to
entertain with charm, to meet his colleagues and
his enemies with tact Is the who wins
every time. In fact women great factor in
politics as long as they stay out Of it,
Mrs. Donald Mclean, who scheduled to
speak on 1.-The Patriot IN Society arrived late
and. spoke briefly:
81 in favor Of the patriot plus all the patriot
ism possible in society," because it's necessity and
for the simple reason begin with, that 1t makes
society less stupid and more endurable Society Of
some sort is a necessity for women. We're hap
lives Of the we know aren't worth living, and
so, you see (you gentlemen present), I've come
logically by my premise that the patriot-even the
woman PATRIOTS a good thing for society. But
I've small sympathy with the woman who thinks
that being patriot means depriving herself OF all
the pretty and becoming dainty and womanly things
that Providence (or her husband) has PROVIDED
her with and starts out bloomered and loud voiced
set the country straight woman Ike that only
sets things by the But woman'S mind, guided
by mans (for I'm old fashioned as to still be-
heve that men have minds should be the
ruling force in the worlds achievements The
patriotism whose ideals do not fade with early
enthusiasrs-rna turity's Hfegiving 0raught under
the whipped cream of youth-thiS is what lfts the
men Of our country out of the slough Of CONNER
cialsm and despair and this Is what only a woman
can give .-, -.
THE reason New-York has no musical al;
rnospbere. though Ii boast several huhQFeu
performances for its scant hundred and elghtgy-
days that constitute the season Is i1os
that we holo mentally and ternperamentally aooI 4
from the essence Of the thing. declared -hIs5
d Angelo Bergh In her talk on The Musician ana
Society" I'VE WOO the goddess with checks, anu
treat her temples mere congresdIhs SSnrLc fo
and her occasions little more than Social luiA|
TONS =, ,.o-o-+ine,
Among others who took part in the interesIhfs Sf
programme prepared by C W de Lyon .NgI.ot9
who himself spoke on THE Ltterateur IN Soc1etyi
were Mrs Elizabeth Northrop, Robert KENT Tn.
er Frederick w Wendt, Signor IagapleIILl IL, q, 20
Rronod and Miss Elizabeth Livingston Eagdh, ~
whom was assigned 1.-The Actress IN SoC!etyr
But IN about three minutes after Mlss :. 80
began she discovered. in her own V~ords Indt ,is
"a great deal harder to talk Wlen you, .ai5 l.-i
haven't been written for you and VaIisto ne acho
She reappeared only for moment ho"e'Si' 49,
later gave two contralto selections