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

I'VE 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 It's
truth is necessary than 10 mention
the subject OF woman's suffrage III tue
presence of nine out or ten men Oh
average intelligence-yes, ana even
among some who consider themselves
very much above the average.
The chuckles. and sneers and asin'
inc arguments-to say nothing OF tne
bitter antagonism which this topic
calls forth is indeed sad commen-
tary on our boasted enlightment.
They declare. arbitrarily the
face Of the finest arguments advanced
by the greatest men of all the ages
that il is all tommyrot; that WON
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 uD with this moss covered
platitude, that womans sphere is in
the home-as mother OF the family
Il would seem that no person or
even average intelligence would ex-
pect to work miracles and right
wrongs OF such long-standing In the
twinkling of an eye. IL has taken
many years for politics 10 descend
from what they were in the days OF
Washington 10 what they are now,
and IL will. OF course, require 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 Judge 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, mans business does not go TO
| rack and ruin while he Is at the polls.
In demanding the right OF franchise
women are not asking TO hold all the
Offices and run the affairs OF 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
icnlly with the INSCRIPTIONS grafters
who comprise the majority OF the poll
ticians OF the present day. And these
women have not neglected their homes
ana families In spite OF arduous pub
lie duties. for many OF them nave
been model wives and mothers.
The ma jority OF mothers OF families"
today have ample leisure. thanks 10
modern conditions and Inventions, 10
/ devote 10 matters OF such vital conse-
ouence 10 themselves, their families
aud their less fortunate sisters, II they
witt feaTn the precious value OF time
and utilize fraction OF that which
| they now fritter away on idle gossip,
bridge. whist and other useless and
demoraiizing frivolities.
But what OF the unfortunate thou
sands who are mothers of families"
and are yet obliged TO toll from day
light Till dark in Office. store and fac
tory, and OF other thousands who are
forced~to compete with men In their
struggle 10 live, or starve, and to
whom the suffrage means vote
against the saloon-the greatest en-
envy OF the home--long hours OF labor
and meager wages?
Face 10 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. IL men had always
cast their votes for the welfare OF
the home-about which they are now
so terribly agitated-and had always
itreated 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