The Greeley tribune., 1910-11-03
COUNTY CLERK AND RE.
CORDER CANDIDATE
Is A CAPABLE WOMAN

Aside from the partisan feeling
that prompts some men to work ana
vote for nominees on their respective
party tickets l find many men who
claim that "woman's proper sphere
IL the home and her sole duty on
earth Is to marry and devote herself
to motherhood and the comfort OF
her family. Thanks to the political
awakening the American citizen has
been subjected to the past year,
party lines are fast becoming as
imaginary as the equator and the
tropics, till today there is vast
number of former democrats and
republicans throughout the Union
who will go to the polls next Novem-
ber with their necks freed from the
party collar.
But the other class, the fellows
who sneer at a woman seeking
public office. are the most obstinate
to deal with. They will admit that
women make excellent stenograph-
ers. bookkeepers. statesmen, even
clerks in a public office. But when
you suggest that they might make
as good a record in an elective ohice
as a man, and better record than
many men, up go the shoulders and
sniffs of disapproval are the main
arguments that greet the statement
That, too, in face of the undisputed
fact that for four years one of the
best deputy county treasurers ever
in Weld county was woman. That,
too, in face OF the fact that one Of
the best-if not the best-county
clerks in Weld was woman. When
you meet a man that says woman
should not seek public office. and
that she is inferior to man. IT Is safe
to conclude that in eight cases out
of ten he is an egotist: that he Is
blatant ass with more voice than
good common sense; or that he be-
lieves in "boss" and machine poll
tics.
1t is only fair to concede that the
ism to conservatism-gent
who would make either dolls or
drudges of their wives. The east is
full of such men and for years many
churches have refused women
place In the laity. They are well
come to be quite prominent in the
upbuilding OF the church; in organic
ing plans and schemes to fill the
treasury: to form three fourths OF
the active congregation. but they
shall never personally take part at
business gathering. That is reserved
for the fathers. husbands and broth
ers. 1t is often a wonder among
progressive, liberal minded visitors
from the east that more Colorado
women do not occupy public offices.
Yet If the real truth were known 1t
is the women's fault. They can
have pretty much what they want II
they would discard petty jealousies
and more of them be of one mind
~ a deputy, handle the Affairs OF An
office to the satisfaction of all con-
cerned, by what reason is she not
qualified to be the chief?
Mrs. Alice NJ. Beckwith has re-
sided in Colorado for "a years, about
8 being spent In Weld county. She
was connected with the county
clerks Office from 1888 to 1898.
during which time she achieved such
a good reputation for ability and ac-
curacy as a filler and accountant that
the people elected her to the head
of the Office for one term; and she
would have been reelected but for
the skullduggery of few pothouse
politicians. During her fncumbency
rs clerk she turned in to the county
treasury several hundred dollars. the
Office surplus, and that was the first
time any such money was derived