The Jersey City news., 1906-05-07


organization is to be presumed from tfrei
fact, that it bears the name of one of
the two great political parties. says the
Brooklyn DAILY Eagle" That it does
hot, in its membership adfid to the vote
of that party is 10 be presumed from
rhe fact that it's membership is com
posed of women. That it is intensely
partisan is 10 be presumed from an oc-
eurrence that has recently lifted it into
canspieuity In the same borough rs
another association bearing this title.
the Woman Democratic Club The same
Ipresumptions as to its political character.
its lack of possession of votes and its
partisanship obtain a 10 the other
Each apparently has the time honored
characteristics of the parties of which
they are supposedly adjuncts. So far as
il is given us to have knowledge of them
the Republican women meet in solemn
and dry sessions; their Democratic sisters
gather about the eonyiyial board. So it
would appear that at least the traditions
are maintained. Beyond the fact that
one meets and a1ks as Republicans do
and the other assemblies and eats and
drinks as the Democrats do, we are not
informed. 1t will be conceded that with
in their sphere of action they are impor-
tant, necessary and valuable 1t tends
TO comfort and peace of mind to admit
this at the outset. Il
Mrs. Samuel B. Schenck is member
of the Republican organization. She
has been asked by the officials of that
body to hand in her resignation as
members of the executive committee
She says that this was done because she
attended, under invitation, a Thomas
jefferson diRner given by the Women's
Democratic Club. Her act. she insists.
has been construed as one of disloyalty
TO the Republican cause She makes it
clear that this invitation was given not
because she was wavering Republican,
or possible convert to Democracy, but
because she is a descendant of Thomas
Jefferson. Mrs. Schenck holds that she
is permitted to do honor to the memory
of distinguished ancestor without sub
scribing to his political principles or for
feiting her own. Mrs. Schenck objects
to the slight put upon her, but has Of
fered her resignation to have it accepted
Now she declares that she will join the
Democratic women and still retain her
membership in the Republican organiza
ton. Under similar circumstances the
male politician either goes over as d
complete surrender to the enemy or joins
a third party. The course proposed is
an innovationo. However, it is not with
out its advantages since the problem of
how to vote under the conditions of dual
membership is eliminated The peli-
tician endeavoring to serve both parties
faithfully in casting his vote would be
likely to get into jail No such difficulty
confronts member of woman's polit-
ical body. It is another instance of the
advantage women have over men. The
right TO change her mind as Frequently as
she chose was long since won by woman.
If Mrs. Schenck can establish her right
TO be member of opposing political
parties at one and the same time. she
win have acquired new moman's right.
In the meantime questions arise:
Have the officers Of the Republican As
sociation established new code Of So
eial ethies2 Must Republicans and Dem
ocrats herd by themselves separately
hsssafte2 Shall there Ae no social rela-
tisas seswesa the nembsrs Of the two