The Washington herald., 1906-12-02
WOMAN IN POLITICS.
Her View of Big Affairs.

From the Louisville Comisr-Journal.
Its the mans game that's what il is"
exclaimed a vivacious young spinster at a
recent State convention. He gets as
excited over it as II it were his college
football And no wonder, for II is hun
dred times more difficult. because it's q
hundred times more subtle. 1 don't want
to play the game myself-no woman suf-
frage for me. thank you, but / love to
look on. just as I used TO peep through
the fence at the practice games Of foot
ball when girls weren't supposed to be a
part of the audience"
You were the only girl in a family Of
boys, weren't you?" asked her com
pani0n.
Yes, that's why I was spurred on to
learn the details of the game. What was
the use, asked myself. Of being left out
OF the only conversation that really in
terested the boys. just as II / were a
brainless doll? 1 knew girls who thought
that they made hit if they put on Il
sweetIy feminine pose and showed their
ignorance Of football by asking if so and
so had made any splendid slides to bases
lately But I also knew what fools the
boys privately called those girls, so
studied up the game until I could enjoy
al the fine points Of good plays as much
as the boys did"
Have you studied up on politics for
the same reason?" asked the friend
yes. partly because 1 have more than
my share Of Mother Ewes curiosity and
can't bear 10 have the people around me
talking Of things I don't understand, and
partly because it's such an important and
Interesting subject in itself. Even the
kindergarten stages of the game, the eau
cUsss and primaries, are interesting If
one only makes ones self intelligent about
them. That a man should achieve the
greatness Of a nomination, or have it
thrust upon him, even though it is only
for a minor Office, always stimulates my
curiosity. Why was he nominated? Be
cause he is the tool Of the boss Of the
district? Or is he his own master? Is he
so intelligent and so public-spirited that
his nomination was demanded by his fell
low-citizens. or is he really out for the
goods. as the slang phrase goes When
you try TO find answers 10 these questions
you are sure 10 run across a lot Of dra-
matte situations and human interest. If
you don't believe me try taking an inter
est in the next primaries in your own dis
trict."
"Oh, I don't doubt that the dramatic
possibilities are there, the other woman
answered. but I can't keep track Of the
game. Il makes me think Of the old
fashioned kaleidoscope. where there was
a constant shifting Of the figures. Those
little pieces Of colored glass would form
new combinations even while you were
sure you were holding the kaleidoscope
steady in your hand. When I think I've
got the politics Of my district steady in
my head I find that I'm behind the
times"
Eternal vigilance is the price Of
Iuowiedge-that Is. knowledge Of the Do
iitical situation" replied the spinster
Neglect your daily papers for week
or 50 and you'll ind that new names
and new local issues have sprung up like
mushrooms. OF course, the easiest way
out Of the darkness of such ignorance Is
to ask ones husband or brother or man
friend to throw some light on the OBJ
scGre points. Most men not only keep
UP their reading on political questions,
az intuitive understanding Of politics, a
sort OF sixth sense. that we women lack"
It's not only intuitive knowledge we
women lack" interrupted her compan-
ion, 1T is interest. a real. live interest.
When do YOU ever hear women talking
about political affairs or discussing the
merits Of candidates."
Almost never" the spinster asserted
emphatically. But how to keep a Mar
Gel wave from getting straight or the
advantages Of a corset that laces in
front are topics Of burning interest COM
pared with the problem Of how 10 get men
who will conscienuously make our laws
for US.
You viii say that I am speaking only
OF the frivolOUs-minded woman. but II
you'll notice you will find that the prac-
teal Aarthas get more excited over direc-
tiOns for making an evening cloak out Of
an old piano cover or new combination
of cold vegetables for a salad than over
the moral character and intellectual ability
of the men their husbands are likely TO
vote for. And they are just the women
who you'd think would take an interest
in the passing of laws 10 regulate child
labor or in pure food bills OF in the better