Los Angeles herald., 1910-07-22
WOMEN SHOW INTEREST
IN LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS
Bombard Dick Ferris with Ques'
tions, but Ruby-Haired
One Makes Good

Women who are interested in the
coming fight for political equality are
making every possible effort to send to
Sacramento this next year men who
will be of assistance to them when
their resolution comes up for consid-
Grafton.
They have sent letters of inquiry to
the various candidates for office, and
those men who reside in Los Angeles
are submitted to cross fire of ques-
tioning that makes them realize well
that with woman in the game there
will be more excitement to politics
than there has been hitherto Dick
Ferris, aspirant for nomination on the
Republican ticket for lieutenant gov
ernor, was given sample of this politi-
cal examination the other day, but
Dick, as usual, came through with fly
ing colors.
The first question these would-be-
voters asked the ruby-haired one was:
what is your opinion on woman suf-
frage?"
"I believe" said Mr.. Ferris, that
politicians generally misinterpret wom-
ems desire to vote. Women are not
anxious to hold office, although that is
the popular idea with the voters of
the present time. think that women
want to have some voice in the cleo
ton Of such men as will be helpful
to their business interests. Laws
could be framed tG exclude the senti-
mental vote, and to place elections in
which women participate on strictly
business basis"
do you think that women who are
taxpayers should have Yote?" was
the query next offered for discussion,
and here the interviewed came out
strong in his declaration that women
paying taxes, many of them much
higher than those paid by men, should
certainly have some voice in choosing
that legislative body to make laws
affecting their own property.
"How about the woman who supports
her family who is practically the head
of the household, or many times the
actual head of the house?"
"Women who support their families
are entitled to the same consideration
as men, in the matter of voting"
"Mr. Ferris, if you are elected to Of
flee, will you be in favor of woman
suffrage?' was the next question, put
quite plainly, and answered as direct
~: ~
'I believe that the matter should be
presented to the people of California,
and would be glad TO further IN every
way the idea these women have. I
think the subject should be presented
at some general election. If I have
any power in the next legislature 1
will be glad to have a committee from
that body meet with a committee from
the suffragists and discuss the ques-
ton"
Many of the women of California be-
lieve it to be a distinct slight upon
their standing that the bill making
mothers and fathers equal guardians
of the child presented last year was
lost They asked Mr.. Ferris his view
of the matter and he urged on them
the Importance of diplomacy. you are
trying to get the vote. Well, get It,
and then introduce these bills. Don't
ask for too many things at once, and
above all things do not stir UP any
antagonism on other counts until you
secure your own way in this matter
of the ballots"
"Now," continued the speaker, "you
women must show your influence un-
der the existing laws. Make your
selves felt in a definite manner do
active and efficient campaigning, and
get the men you want into office. Once
you accomplish this you will have lit
tie difficulty in the future"