Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1906-06-08
BY MARGARET E. sANGsTER.

country is evidenced in a manner
rather different from that displayed
by women in some other countries. In
England, for instance, intelligent
women are intensely interested in
their government and in everything
that concerns the national politics.
Except in the heated months that
with us precede a presidential cleo
ton, women know little and care less
about the machinery of state and ma
.ional politics, taking merely a per-
functory interest in legislative bodies,
and holding themselves aloof from
matters discussed therein.
Il Is not uncommon to meet wom-
an of more than ordinary culture who
does not happen to know who is the
governor of her state, and who Is the
representative at the state capitol, of
her home district. She is aware that
there Is somebody who represents her
| section IN the senate and assembly,
| but she has never taken the trouble to
acquaint herself with his name. AS
for knowing what the preponderance
| of sentiment in the legislative bodies
nearest her may be, she is profoundly
ignorant and altogether Indifferent.
In party politics she is apt with
very languid enthusiasm to endorse
| the views of the men of her family.
Should she visit Washington part of
morning would be spent in watching
the very disorderly proceedings In the
! house or the more dignified demeanor
usual in the senate chamber. But this
would be to her simply a portion OF
the show and, unless she had a per-
sonal reason for talking with her con-
gresham, she would not even recog-
nize him on the avenue.
Public spirit is at low ebb in the
great majority of women in this
broad land, so far as it's manifestation
has to do with the ballot box and
what the ballot box stands for. Our
sons are the losers here; they grow
up without due appreciation of their
privileges, as voters, and with dis
dain for politics that is poor omen
for the future. Unless wives and
mothers are patriotic from principle,
they will not infuse patriotism into
the current of home life.
Women are not, however, altogether
deficient in public spirit, as 1t in
cludes some practical phrases; for ex-
ample, they like to take hand In
what may be styled Town House
keeping" When you visit particu-
larly attractive village or town, where
the fences are in good repair, OF
. where fences being obsolete, lawns are
separated only by driveways when
.. there is an absence of loose papers
and rubbish on the streets and thing:
> in general are tidied up, you may b.
sure that women have bestirred them
selves in that locality. Municipal af
fairs appeal to women, in contrast t.
the larger affairs of the county or thu
state. The same attention to detail
and careful economy that make
woman notable in the thrifty man
agement of home, make her pruden
and vigilant in managing a town. Sh
abhors dirt and confusion, and has
preference for places that are well
: groomed, well painted, and in fin
array and nice order.
A town in which committee c
women supervises the little parks an
. bits of common and the children
!. Fairgrounds, is apt to have a goodl
= ), show of flowers in summer and to b
: kept free from ice and slush in wiI
r ter Women are willing to spen
themselves and take time and pain
! to keep the burrough or the hamlet c
. the city ward where they reside, In
shape of which they are not ashame,
I In many cities there are Health Pr
. tective associations maintained
d capable and efficient women, who d.
scend to various minute supervision
3 that raise the health rate of the entil
8 community. These supervisions r
late to garbage and its remoy
n promptly from households. to the di
"a infection of premises where the
g. have been contagious diseases,
% which effort they support and suppl
J: ment local boards of health: and
d the sanitary condition of the mo
crowded quarters of the town. N
70 infreauently such associations rend
D. themselves unpopular by the radio
d, character of their methods, and
d. their determination to invoke leg
d. remedies when people refuse to Ike
I'd their homes and surroundings decel
IS. Although the members may occasio
re ally be over-energetic and occasion,
ly may seem to be interfering beyo
er their province, yet they do a v;
Id amount Of good, and they are OF
ID extending the sphere of the hor
IN mother and mistress, to the wiz
In sphere of the citizen.
Women show public spirit, too,
movements for reform.
Wherever there is established
wide-awake and active Woman's cl
4horo L. inetant surnnathu with mo