The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1911-01-20


possibly have been harder to succeed
in New York or Philadelphia than
il has been in Denver. Men give
women rights here not privileges.
The business woman does not meet
courtesy, chivalry or justice. | do
not expect the courtesy and chivalry
in business, but If | could get within
long -distance-telephone reach of just
ice would be satisfied; plain, simple
! justice as between man and man.
Not flattery, not charity, only just
ice.'
How the "Wets' Carried Denver.
Another positive claim made by
the advocates for "votes for women"
is that If women were given the bal
lot they would uplift and purify poll
tics.
| was in Denver at the time of
the last election, and had, therefore,
the question of woman's honesty in
politics. saw scores of women ac-
cept money for the election held in
Denver on May, II, 1910. An meal
culable amount of money was spent
on that day. In my own very re-
stricted sphere l saw about $4,000
paid out to women in five, ten and
twenty dollar lots.
Two issues were before the people.
First, the temperance question:
should the town be wet or dry?
Second, the water-franchise question;
should the city own its own water
plant or let corporation have it?
On the temperance question every
one of age could vote and the ballots
were about half male and half fe-
male. On the franchise only tax
payers could vote and the ballots
were about two-thirds male and one
third female. The great bulk of the
money was spent by the saloon-keep-
ers to keep the town wet, and by the
corporation for the franchise.
The corporation, though it spent
hundreds of thousands of dollars,
could not purchase the male elector-
ate. Municipal ownership won by
a comfortable majority.
But on the temperance question
the was: for the drys, 1927; for
the vets, 3,191; the vets majority,
Is, 954. With the votes half female
won almost two to one
For two weeks before that election
the women and children of the work
ing classes paraded the streets max
ing strenuous appeals for a "dry"
town. Three nights before the cleo
ton the Auditorium held 5000 peo-
pie, largely women, fighting desper-
ately for temperance.
That same day I sat in the office
vets and saw a stream of "politi-
,al" women pass in and out. Each
took ten-dollar note, and
Instructions how to work in her pre-
'inct. There were 221 precincts and
our women workers in each precinct
The night before election each of
hem got another ten dollars; the
ommittee-women INVENTIVE and the
hairwomen seventy-five dollars
piece.
One woman came for her ten dol
ars and was rudely shown the door.
"Why?" I asked the manager.
"She double-crossed me last eiec-
ion," said he. II paid her, then she
old out to the other side and worked
or them. Two days ago I gave her
en- dollars. Now she is back for
1ore / throw her out Today or
omorrow she will go to the other
lde and get paid. The night before
II hunt her up and slip her another
en-, or maybe fifteen. Then I stand
chance that she will work for me
ut I will not be sure"
Are many of these women like
lis?"
"Nine-tenths of them"
"Why do you continue employing
lem?"
Because the other side does. I
ont dare neglect them. I would
lther spend the money and take
chance on half of them working
r me than to freeze up and have
e whole pack on me. Besides, they
e often useful. When there is an
nominous job l can't get a man
do | can always get a woman"
What kind of an ignominous
b."
"Well-last election there was
strict knew was against me. The
ling place was in a schoolhouse.
gave woman ten dollars and told
r to go there and challenge every
dy, to delay the election in every
ssfble way. wanted to keep the