The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-02-28
shall Women Voter"

Editor OF The Vtrgfnian:
Sir,--I have read and reread with
interest the article in your issue, bear
Ing date February as. under the above
caption. and signed "Nannie B. Do
herty. King George, Va; and while
l do not like to break a lance with
nor In the slightest way act rudely
or ungallantly towards a representa-
tive of the gentle sex, ] must say. In
all candor, that the said article Ut
terly falls to convince at east the
present writer that women ought to
vote. IL may be ignorance or preju-
dice. or stubbornness.. or something
else. IN the present writer's part that
prevented h logical arguments 90
Of the article of your fair King George
correspondent from making me a
onver to female %suffragism.
I'll not undertake to say. but I
think 1t-can-haseasily shown that ihe
logic OF this plea for female suffrage
eacts on itself and falls from its own
weight. The demoralizing muck
of politics." says the King George ad-
vocate Of women voting. needs her
(woman's) cleansing hand. Wonian's
presence compels nan to take u high
err moral plane. Woman Will cleanse
ht pottNk1dt tIpu6G All kANC AZ ttAC
atmosphere of decency. which IL go
desperately needs" No one well post
ed will deny that woman is a great
power for good. but all women are
not good, and there are some who.
If they could vote. would never cleanse
the muck of politics" or anything
else. IL only good women be allowed
to vote, then the muck cleansing
might go IN. but female suffragettes
wish all sorts and kinds to vote. don't
they? Then / think 1t is logical and
reasonable to infer hat If woman's
presence in the home hasn't a a
refining. elevating, purifying effect on
the man before he goes to the polls
to vote. IT is very doubtful that her
presence at the polls will do much
along these lines Then. how about
the results to the woman individual
~ when she leaves home cher God
given sphere) and comes in contact
with the muck of potitics"? May
God save our Southern wives. mothers
and sweethearts from such an ex-
posture!
As to the second argument used by
the writer o woman's ability to cope
in political affairs. her mental quail
fiCatfons. etc, No sensible person VIII
deny this, but because she possesses
qualifications VI doesn't follow
that she ought to dabble in the muck
of politics" This Is to get out. of
her God-appointed sphere and to as
sume-tn-do mans work Her sense.
her gifts and talents are needed at
home and in those duties that best
suit her nature, taste. etc. 1t is sadly
true that politics are in a bad shape,
but If it takes the sacrifice of our
- q, nt@fx, them tho rnuf In frr
too great. and We had better go on
as we are now going and let the men
attend TO their own specific duties.
and no doubt after a while politics
will be bettered.
In the next argument. In reply to
the ~~eejeetief, against female suffrage
on the ground that woman would
ne Il mere too in the hands of man
casting her vote for or against what
ever he directed" your King George
correspondent. after characterizine
az a l~aughably false libel. goes to
speak OF the powerful influence NO
has exerted. and Is exerting to-
day in politics through appealing to
the better natures Of men. Then
lis made to woman.s part in
the saloons or our land and
the grand work she is doing In the
l''' - W II All VI tIiS
is true. and all of tn,s goes TO show
woman is a great power in her
sphere as man helpmate at
home, and the polls is no place fol
her.
In conclusion, let me say that.
am no apologist for the po-
knaves. whose fruits OF knav-
according to this fair King
George writer. they fear will be taken
from them IL women should be al
TO vote, I want to say that my
opposition to female suffragism. as
article shows, Is not on such
ground. l wish all the political
could be ferreted out speed
Ily, but that female suffrage will do
this remains to he proven. And II
be allowed to vote It won't
be very long before man will cease
to respect the good influence she ex-
erts. for coming in contact with poll
tics will sadly cripple, if not destroy,
her good influence. Woman can do
more to cleanse and set In order
political househoIdp by stay
-ng at home and helping. by syupa.
Thy, advice and kind Offices.
T.. p. PARHAM.