The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-01-26
JUST LIKE THE MEN.

HOW would the women act II they
were III politics? That is ono OF tho
great incidental questions attached to
the mighty problem Of equal suffrage
for women. Some people have believed
that female suffrage would prove "a
panacca for all our Ills political
Now comes up an interesting case.
There is discord among feminine vot-
crs In the far West. The State or
Washington has recently given the bal
lot 10 Its women. and the Washington
hqul Suffrage Association determined
TO signalizc it's victory by merging
with the National Council Of Women
Voters, meeting for the accomplish
mont Of this object was held on Janu-
airy IA in Tacoma. Suffrage workers
from all of the suffrage States we're
invited and were requested TO address
the great meeting. The National
Council, 1t should he said. is to wage
the suffrage campaignin the backward
States which still reject equal rights
for women.
Yet what promised to be great
festival Of feminine rejoicing was
changed by .malign and mysterious In
iluences'' into seething mass OF dis
cord and belligcrency Some of the
women prepared n list Of officers for
the Washington Council In advance OF
| the meeting, and some of the other
women objected TO the Slate" When
the election Of officers took place the
state makers were triumphant, after "a
sharp and bitter conflict" in which hard
words and singing charges were hurled
about freely The insurgent leaders
protested against the ruling OF the
woman chairman Some parliamenta-
rian on the other side arose and scored
| the point that the protestant had not
presented her credentials, and was,
| therefore. not entitled to recognition.
When the credentials were produced,
submitted and approved, the hot insur-
gents found out that their opponents,
working with machine like precision,
meeting and adjourned. AS 1t had
nothing else to do, the defeated insur-
gent faction organized an outdoor in
dignation meeting. which was addressed
| by their leader. in tears. very angry.
and with her hat all askew"
| According 10 it's preliminary an
nouncement, the purpose Of tho new
Council is to hear the claims Of rival
parties. study the different political
principles and listen TO the candidates
| before each election. The candidates
are to be permitted to present their
views, and then the women Will decide
whether they will support them or not
The Council will be absolutely non sec
tartan and non partisan. Now listen 10
what one of the insurgent leaders SAYS
as to this proclamation Of purposes
IT is too bad that at the very outset
OF our political career there should be
| an attempt made to corral the women
or the State like SO many sheep, with
| me purpose Of driving them in herd
| under whatever political banner may
DC chosen by few schemers, or. per-
| haps better, by one scheIncr ,rhe
shame Of the whole thing is that in the
| beginning OF woman suffrage In Wash
ihston there should be attempted such
| hlSh handed bossism and such political
| methods as arc associated with the most
disrepntable mems conventions
Doesn't that sound with a few nouns
! changed, Just like the men in Virginia
who arc shouting against the ma
chine? Does it not show that in po-
I! litical thought the women are very
much like the men?
| However. this is but one instance, and
| IT is unscen,ific to judge a great cause
by a few Of Its supporters. What IL
The women be Just like the men In pol
4, tiles? They have as much right to IN
surge and hight within the party as
! INC men have. and that is what we have
| been contending for-equal rights. II
! II be shown that he women arc worse
| than the mon. there may be some cause
| Tor holding back the ballot, but so long
IS they really arc no worse, they are
! equally entitled TO vote. Truth, like a
shining star, bids the women to adj
vance to their own.
| -==--------------------'
! senator Aldrich has given up his
| work at Washington and gone down Il,
1 jckyl Island to fish. He has chartered
| q steamer, has had 1t fitted UP as y