The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-12-02
WOMEN take MORE READILY
TO BABIES THAN BALLOT
Noted Suffragist Says Feminine
Voters Need Political Train
ing, But Are Apt Pupils.
MRS. ROSE FRENCH.

Women do not take to the ballot
and to politics as they do to raising
babies and keeping a tidy house"
said Mrs. Rose French, of San Fran
cisco, Cal, as she stood in the Union
depot, Friday noon, after the arriv-
al OF the train from Grand Rapids
and while waiting TO be whisked of
in Miss Alice May Boutelle's electric
for luncheon, before going to the De-
troll Equal Suffrage club to deliver
an address. Mrs. French. silvery-
haired and distinguished-look wo-
gists OF the country and known among
workers for suffrage as "one Of the
victorious Californians.'
Women have to be trained in the
game OF politics, but. as In the case
of everything else the average fem
mime mind undertakes, they are apt
pupils, continued Mrs. French. "Of
course, there are lots Of born femin-
inc politicians and lots OF women,
who know intuitively how to go about
ballot marking and all the little
tricks OF the voting booth. but the
majority do not, and they have to be
taught.
"Out in California, where we have
just secured full franchise, our wo-
men have registered in large numbers
in anticipation OF municipal elections
In some OF the cities, Dec. 6. For my
own part, | wish that the opportunity
10 exercise the ballot had not come
so early as / believe II would be bet
ter for the women voters TO have had
a longer preliminary training. don't
mean by that. am sorry the full
franchise was won Not at all The
full franchise cannot come too soon
in every state ~ the union, but AFTER
IL is secured, intelligent acquaintance
with its power should be cultivated.
However, | am not afraid OF the re-
suits in any state where the franchise
is given one day and voting occurs
the next, only such haste happens
to be against the law. Women are
quite equal to their opportunities,
whether in politics or the home
Mrs. French Is now paying her first
visit TO Detroit, except for a flying
visit to Windsor, 10 visit a sister. over
20 years ago. A native OF Cleveland,
Mrs. French has lived for upwards OF
so years on the Pacific coast. She
has been interested, always. In the
protection OF women and girls and
founded San Franciscos first Girls
Training school for the protection OF
girls, between 10 and Is years. For
many years she has labored faithfully
in behalf of women In the Golden
State and her name Is not only re-
spected, but revered throughout Cal
iforhia Attending the national suf-
frage convention In Louisville, KY,
last fall she met a NUMBER OF Mich
igan suffragists and was finally per-
suaded by them to promise TO cut
ST ort visit to New York city and
come to Michigan for the state con-
vention In Kalamazoo, held fort
night ago Since then Mrs. French
has been speaking TO women's clubs
and public gatherings In and around
Kalamazoo, Jackson and Battle Creek.
IF the Michigan women exhibit as
much determination and stick-toit-ive-
ness. in their fight for equal suffrage
MS they showed In pursuing me to
come to Michigan, there Is not
question of their success feF-I- have
never met such determination and
wheedling," said Mrs French II am
SO glad I came, for I have received
the most bountiful hospitality and. al
though | have talked myself TO a con-
dition OF extreme fatigue, II has been
L a good cause and feel thorough
ly repaid"
Mrs. French will remain in Detroit
until week from Monday and is
scheduled TO speak in a number OF
different places She will be the
guest Of many social affairs also. Sat
urday noon, the Mems League for wo-
man Suffrage will tender her a lunch
con in the NewcG NIB Endicott cafe.
Mrs. French will be the guest Of Mrs.
George Samson, No. 70 Palmer-aye,