The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-04-29

BY MARGARET E. 5ANGsTER (copyright, 1906. by Joseph B. Bowles). The public spirit of women in this country Is evidenced in manner rather dinerent from that displayed by wo- men in some other countries. In Eng land, for instance intelligent women are intensely interested In their GOV ernment and In everything that con- cerns the national politics. Excep. in the heated months that with us precede Presidential election. women know little and care less about the machin- cry of State and national politics. talk ing merely perfunctory interest Tn legislative bodies. and holding them selves afoof from matters discussed therein
 It is not uncommon to meet woman of more than ordinary ,ulture who does not happen to know who is the Gov ernor of her State, and who is the Rep resentative 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 know ing what the preponderance of senti- ment in the legislative bodies neafest her may be. she is profoundly ignorant and altogether indifferent.
 Tn 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 a morn- ing 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 personal reason for talking with her Congressman, she urpIf1d m recognize him on the avenue.
 Public spirit IS at a low ebb in the land, so far as its manifestation has to do with the ballot box and what the ballot box stands for. Our sons are the losers; they grow up without due ap- preciation of their privileges. as voters, and with disdain for politics that Is poor omen for the future. unless wives and mothers are patriotic from principle, they will not infuse patriot ism into the current of home life.
 Women are not, however, altogether deficient in public spirit, as it includes some practical phrases; for example, they like to take a hand in what may be styled Town Housekeeping" When you visit a particularly attractive Vil- lage or town, where the fences are in
  solete,. lswns are separated only by driT avs; when there Is an absence ,M loose papers and rubbish on the streets and things in general are tidied up, you may be sure that women have bestirred themselves in that locality. Municipal affairs appeal to women, in contrast to the larger affairs Of the country or the State. The same atten- tion to detail and careful economy that make a woman notable in the thrifty management of home, make her pru- dent and vigilant in managing a town. She abhors dirt and confusion, and has a preference for places that are we'll groomed, we'll painted and in fine array and nice order.
 A town in which a committee of wo- men supervises the little parks and bits of common and the children's play grounds is apt to have goodly show of flowers in summer and to be kept free from ice and slush in winter. Wo- men are willing to spend themselves and take time and pains to keep the burrough or the hamlet or the city ward where they reside, in a shape of which they are not ashamed.
 In many cities there are Health Pro- tective associations maintained by capable and efficient women, who de- scend to various minute supervisions that raise the health rate of the entire community. These supervisions re- late to garbage and its removal prompt ly from households, to the disinfection of premises where there have been con