The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-02-22
A Suffragette's Protest.
b ELEANOR LEIGH

We think our civilization al It's mer-
idian but We are yet at the COCK
Growing and the morning star wrote
Emerson. and no other proof OF Its
truth Is necessary than TO mention
the subject of woman's suffrage In the
presence of nine out OF ten men OF
average intelligence-yes- and even
among some who consider themselves
very much above the average.
The chuckles. and sneers and asin-
inc arguments--to say nothing or the
bitter antagonism which this topic
calls forth is indeed a sad common
tary on our boasted enlightment. :.
They declare. arbitrarily-in the
face OF the finest arguments advanced
by the greatest men OF all the ages
that IL is all tommyrot; that wom-
ans vote is OF no importance, what
ever, and point as proof To the fact
that there is no special improvement
In the position OF women in the states
that have given her the suffrage
and end ND with this moss-covered
platitude, that womans sphere Is in
the home-as mother OF the family. y
II would seem that no person OF
even average intelligence would ex-
pecti to work miracles and right
wrongs OF such long-standing In the
twinkling Of an eye. II has taken
many years for politics TO descend
from what they were in the days OF
Washington TO what they are now,
and II will, OF course, require a rea-
sonable length of time TO change exist
ing conditions. But very significant
fact is that these women voters are
determined TO put only the best men
| In Office and that they succeeded no
tably In the reelection OF edge Lind
say, OF Denver, after making a siren
uous fight against a clique OF unscrup-
ulous politicians. This surely is an
entering wedge of considerable i'm
portance, for with none but the best
men In power the future welfare OF
woman and the home Is assured.
And why should II be supposed that
women would neglect their homes and
families when they cast vote? Sure
| ly, a mans business does not go u
rack and ruin while he Is at the polls
In demanding the right OF franchise
women are not asking 10 hold all the
Offices and run the affairs or the en-
tire nation. as some timid men Seem
to fear. though they will, OF course.
hold certain offices, eventually, which
have an intimate connection with the
home and the education OF children.
And no sane person will doubt that
such women as Julia Ward Howe, Lucy
Stone, Frances Willard, Elizabeth
Cady Stanton, Ella Wheeler Wilcox
and hundreds OF other noble women,
OF fine intellects and great hearts, who
have been laboring for years to Grad
icate some OF the evils which disgrace
our civilization-will compare most
favorably, mentally. morally and phys
ically, with the INSCRIPTIONS grafters
who comprise the majority OF the poll.
ticians OF the present day. And these
women have not neglected their homes
and families. In spite OF arduous pub
| lie duties. for many OF them have
been model wives and mothers
The majority OF mothers OF families"
today have ample leisure, thanks 10
modern conditions and inventions, to
devote TO matters OF such vital conse-
uuence 10 themselves. their families
and their less fortunate sisters. II they
will learn the precious value OF time
and utilize fraction OF that which
| they now fritter away on idle gossip,
bridge, whist and other useless and
demoralizing frivoities.
But what of the unfortunate thou.
sands VINO are mothers of families"
and are yet Obliged 10 toll from day.
! light till dark In office, store and fac
tory. and or other thousands who are
Drced to compete with men In their
struggle 10 live, or starve, and to
whom the suffrage means vote
against the saloon-thS. greatest en-
envy OF the home--long hours OF labor
and meager wages?
Face TO face with such deplorable
conditions how can the lords OF crea.
ton" wonder that women are demand.
ing the right to vote and correct these
fragrant abuses. III men had always
cast their votes for the welfare OF
the homc-about which they are now
so terribly agitated-and had always
treated women hOnorably and justly
in all their relations with them. the
weaker sex would not now be clam
oring for the ballot as a cudgel OF de.
Tense
But our lords and masters may con
sole thousands with the soothing Re-
Election, that despite this appalling do