The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-02-23
FRON OTHER PENS
"IFIWERE A MAN ,

Ihe remarks OF clever and h1gh-Splr-
tied women on the IF I Were a Man
text are always stimulating and read
able. They invariably suggest the re-
marks of 1.-The opposition" in any parlia-
t11ent on measures and methods adopt
ed by the party In power. But we know
succeed in Obtaining office. and would
not the same thing happen to women
il they were, by some magic influence.
to be transformed into men?
There are many desirable things
which men do badly, or not at all.
Their shortcomings are many and pain
ful-as they are prepared humbly to
admit in moments of heart-sear ching.
But would women do better in their
places? Would not, women
disagree as men do on ques-
tons Of economoc and moral legisla-
to poverty, unemployment, vice sup
preston, taxation. the means of pro-
noting order, justice. prosperity?
Give women equal suffrage and every
other right and privilege which they
still lack, after decades of remarkable
progress for their sex, and the world
would remain what it is for centuries.
Women would divide as men do. There
would be radicals. moderates and con-
sc rvativcs among them. as among men.
Chicago Record-Herald.
THE LIGHTHOUSE SERVICE.
There is bill before congress
transferring the lighthouse service
from what is known as the lighthouse
board to special service under the
department of commerce and labor.
Heretofore the maintenance of light
houses, beacons, buoys and other aids
to navigation has been under the con-
| troll of joint board of army engineers
and navy officers. The system has
worked well for long time, and nc
sound argument has been advanced
| in support of the proposed change
| Engineer officers of the army are GER
| tainly competent to supervise the To-
cation of lighthouses. and the naval
| officers detailed to the service are
surely the most skilled men that car
proper discipline, and the day-and-
| night aids to navigation in their
| place.
| The people most interested in light
houses and day aids to navigation are
masters of ships and the owners OF
vessels, as we'll as their insurers. Al
of these interested people should have
something to say in discussing the
proposed change from the existing sys-
| tenn, which is believed to be efficient
to a new one, the success of which Ii
probIematical.-New Orleans Plea
yune.
| KEEPING CAMPAIGN PLEDGES.
1t is not many years since the mar
! who might venture to insist on re
| demption of pledges made by one o.
more successful candidates in tn
course Of a political campaign woult
| have been laughed to scorn by politi
1 clans. In those days. campaign pledge
were regarded merely as Legitimate
/ bait for the catching of unwary voters
/ and the sophisticated citizen knew bet
ter than to demand, with any seriou
/ expectation of success. their fulfill
ment PERHAPS it may be said withou
fear of contradiction that conditions Il
this respect have undergone decides
change in the last few years. Me-
have come to regard liar in polite
exactly as they regard any other liar
to brand him as a person unworthy
confidence, and to govern their att
tude toward him accordingly. Their
is deep significance in the bill intro
duced in the Kentucky legislature b
state Senator j. J. Watkins, to max
the breaking of campaign pledges b
elected candidates penal offense. tn
bill provides that all candidates 10
J the legislature must. prior to eiectior
announce their position in regard t
all important pending bills. This dec
/, laration is to be filed with the count
clerk, and if on election. the eandi
, dates violate their ante-electie
pledges. they will be liable to indict
, rnent on criminal eharge--Manches
ter Union