Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-06-11
AN INTERRUPTED
DISCUSSION

DISCUSSION.
The matter was being discussed by a
number of highly educated, superior and
delightfully."- charming society women.
They were enthusiastic in their APP
prevail of John Stuart Mills advocacy of
the right OF English women to vote on
questions affecting property, as prop
erty owners. They were also enthused
over the idea of purifying the ballot by
feminine influence and honesty at the
polls.
Susan Broughton, stately, handsome
and well gowned, sat and rocked refec
lively. A slight frown contracted her
brow, which was not unbecoming, and
seemed to accord with the perplexities
of the subject under discussion,
Another party to the debate, their
hostess, was to all outward appearance
less vigorously constituted for the heat
ed arena of stormy debate; although it
were unwise to rest absolute conclusions,
on the yielding appearance of any soft
voiced, gentle hammered beautiful wom-
an, One can never tell.
But Alice, you miserable sinner" said
Susan, reproachfully, you must realize
that women VIII learn very shortly how
to use the ballot for the general good
of all, and the best argument in favor of
giving her the privilege she ought to
have is that she will be expected to re-
form corruption and vote down abuses.
She will see to it that the right men
are put into office.
Poor women!" sighed Alice, while APP
plause greeted Susan, the reformer's,
statement.
See here, Sue have been an eve
witness to mothers incessant and yigor-
Gus effects to keep Paul and Cuthbert.
those two pestiierous and delightful
young brothers of mine, in the straight
and narrow path for some years. | have
seen her try to prevent those enterpris-
ing youngsters of 10 and IL from stray
ing into the forbidden byways of rabbit
hunting on Sundays, fishing in old Mr..
Bartons fshpond with bent pins for his
pet speckled trout, and other escapades
too numerous to relate And | have as
sisted at mothers complete failure to
make angels out of them So / conclude
with some logic, that if one clever wom-
an can't do better with her own two
boys, women at large need not try to
regenerate man, keep him in the straight
path, and try to manage political par
ties and make elections honest. If we
shoulder the responsibility of keeping
politics straight and purifying the ballot
we will have a pretty tough job ON our
hands. it seems to me-"
Alice looked with an encouraging air
at very pretty girl who nodded vic.
lent agreement. She was CARRIED in pale
gray, and her hat, with roses, came
from Paris
''All right, Alice You can stay at
home and water your ferns and look
after the babies. We intend to make
fight to be allowed to 90 to the polls to
vote ror good men to govern this coun-
try" said the reformer Susan, with de-
Pm not so sure of that" retorted
gentle Alice.
Not sure of what?" asked Susan
stopping the rocking of her chair.
mot sure that you, Susan, even if
you have the right to do so. win go to
any poll to vote for honest men to gov
ern this country. Your cook will rush
there. whether Irish or colored, but !
seriously doubt that you will CO. re.
sponded Alice with conviction.
what! Not go to the polls to vote if
the bill for woman's suffrage goes
through the Legislature? You may he
very certain l WILL" retorted Susan with
decision, emphasis and conviction.
You said" remarked Alice, chat. in
all probability. the men would make
way for the women who 90 and cast
their ballots, even if they happen to
think they will vote for the other side,
for the one they are trying to beat"
Yes, / believe it, declared Susan
holly. Men are generally polite to
women. at least in this country. and
feel sure they will make way for them
at the polls"
q am pretty sure they viii do moth
ing of the kind" Alice declared com
posedly. "Nor should they, if they
have any sense. For when women as
sumo the political prerogatives of men,
they must expect to be on the same
footing with men, They cannot enter
the arena of political life, seek the bal.
lot and vote for candidates and meas !
ures with all the heat and contention of
men. and expect to remain aloof from
the bitter struggles. feuds and dangers
which men face and encounter as part
of the game. On every election day |
there is trouble at the polls We often |
hear of men being killed. | would be |
afraid to go within block of them"
Afraid! :" smiled Susan contemptu |
ously. Il certainly, for one, would not !
be so cowardly, nor would many wom-
en-"
ooh, what is that! Look there! A
bait shrieked Alice. springing up wild. !