The Topeka state journal., 1908-02-12
ERON OTHER PENS
WOMEN ARE TO BLAME.

Frenchmen have just formed
league for the respect of women based
courtesy have SO far deteriorated that
there is need for energetic action of
some kind. The old ideals are slowly
passing and French politeness has
come so near to being a forgotten flo
ton that these preux ch evaliers are
making the commendable attempt to
reverse conditions and bring about
higher ideals. Whether or not they
will be successful in this effort is un-
certain. 1t seems doubtful, to say the
least, If arbitrary action can effect any
permanent change in the manners of
nation. There is a definite reason for
the present lack of courtesy to women,
in France as in other countries, and
that reason is to be found not so much
in masculine as in feminine depravity.
It Is simple and well proved ruie
that women receive from men exactly
what they demand from them. 1t is
safe to say that there are many women
in France, in England or in America
to whom men accord the same cour-
tesy-differently expressed, it may be
that they would have accorded to
them fifty years ago. There are now,
as there were always, Doors; but it is
with the average decent specimen of
masculinity that we are concerned In
any such discussion. On the other
hand. it is undoubtedly true that the
average woman receives less consider
alton from men than was formerly
given to her. The fault is clearly
hers. The feministe in France, the
suffragette in England, have asserted
their right to equality with men In
season and, more especially, out. Nat
urally this insistent demand has had
its effect. Women go about with
clare that there is no reason why they
should not compete with men on their
own ground. And then they are as
tonishe when men tip their hats to
/ ~ -o11 ~
courteously or permit them to stand in
public yances.-Providence Jour-
nal.
COMMERCIALdSM IN POLITICS.
It is an undeniable proposition that
American politics. All that is corrupt
in our politics has it's foundation in
commercialism. Men who aspire to
Office in a large number of cases are
animated by spirit of commercialfsm.
Grafters get into their accursed bust
ness through the gateway of politics.
Factions in political parties are based
to very large extent upon money
considerations. Bosses have their fol-
lowers and their tools who have noth-
ing else in view than the money they
are to get for the services rendered,
not so much to their state and country
as to their masters and bosses. The
bosses maintain themselves In power to
a large extent with the money they re-
ceive through their servants and tools.
It has come to the portals OF the bal
lot box; there are hundreds and hun
dreds of men who go to the polls, not
to exercise their privileges of freemen,
but who for q pretty price barter their
manhood and forfeit all right and all
claim to recognition as citizens and
manly men. The man who buys
vote is responsible for the man who
sells it, The man who leads a faction
for his own individual interest is blind
to the interest of the country, and he 1t
is who stands ready to give encourage
ment to his slaves who are ready TO
pol1ute the ballot in his interest
This is commercialism In politics; In
| its last analysis it curses the venal
voter, robbing him not only of the re-
spect of decent men and women. but
also Of his own self respect And
when a man gets to the point that he
does not respect himself, he is no bet
ter than one of the lower order of ami
mails. The man who is willing to get
and hold an Office BY employing dupes
and tools 70 do dirty work for him Is
not whit better morally than the tools
he uses nor those who are basely used
| for the pollution of the ballot.-Knox-
Vile Journal and Tribune.