The Detroit times., 1911-02-02
WOMEN DON'T
NEED FRANCHISE
EMMA GOLDMAN.
II They Insist, However, American
Suffrigists Must Adopt Militant
Methods, Says Noted Anarchist.
EMMA GOLDMAN.

III the women OF America want
equal suffrage they will have to go
after II by militant methods, the
same as the British women have
done.' was Emma Goldman's advice
TO the suffragists. as the noted anarch-
list commented on the defeat OF the
suffragists in Lansing, Tuesday, to
The Times during a-chat in the
"rathskellar" OF the Randolph hotel,
in which hostelry Miss Goldman
makes her headquarters. while In De-
troit, because OF old time friendship
for "mein host" and his family.
Being an anarchist, and, therefore,
absolutely opposed to government of
any sort, cannot say that | am In
favor OF woman suffrage as IL applies
to the right TO vote went on Miss
Goldman. II can't see what women
will gain by the ballot. | believe In
equal rights for women, but | cannot
see how the mere legal right TO vote
Is going to make society at large rec
ogniZe woman's absolute equality with
man. | have an infinite faith in my
own sex and believe that women can
accomplish anything they make up
their minds TO attain. But, back OF
any woman's effort. the same as with
any effort In this world, must be de-
termination, integrity and knowledge.
Ignorance is the greatest foe the
better element of society has TO fight.
When the question Of co-education
was brought up some 40 or so years
ago the supporters of IL were reviled.
defiled held up to the same scorn and
ridicule that falls to the lot of any
man or woman interested In great
reform. But co-education won out.
and who is there today to revile 1t?
There Is no season why the same sue
cess should not attend woman's de-
mand to be recognized as mans equal
II the same qualities of integrity and
character back up the fight. In Brit
ain the women who make up the body
of the militant suiiragists are we'll
educated, refined women, who are not
only wholly conversant with the ques-
ton OF votes for women but are well.
grounded in political economy. In the
matter or solid knowledge they are
far ahead of their American sisters.
Here. the women who really have
knowledge to back up their limited in
formation about the ballot are proper
tionately small in number
q special study of what the franchise
10 women had .rsally. accomplished In
that state. and my conclusions were
that II had not improved woman's
economic condition one whit. Instead
OF asking for the right to vote, wo-
men OF America should bend their
efforts to creating a state OF society
wherein men and women should be
hi. IND VIII
ual development untrammelled by pet
ty conventions. absurd laws and
corrupt political body.
II maintain that woman has achiev-
ed more for the advancement OF her
SEX her children and her status with.
out the ballot in the past 25 or 80
years than man has accomplished with
the right to vote. In many states In
the union she Is still regarded in the
eyes Of the government as merely
mans chattel, with no property rights,
no right to her children, no legal
status whatever. She can change
these barbarous conditions as well
without the ballot as with II IL she
goes at is with the courage and de-
termined spirit that possessed her
forefathers when they shock this coun-
try from England's yoke. But, IL the
women who are now fighting for the
ballot really want to win, repeat,
that no gentle exercise OF social
graces, coquetting with legislators
and dining OF senator's will get 1t for
them. They must follow the militant
British, or, better, still, join the an
archists."
Miss Goldman's appearance bellies
her much-advertised red" platform
utterances. A short, stocky woman.
her finely shaped head Is crowned
with soft, notwithstanding light hair
that has golden glints in II and a pair
Of steady blue eyes yelled In black
lashes look keenly out from behind
heavy nose glasses. Her speech, ex-
cept for an occasional German accent,
is that Of the woman OF culture. A
native or Russia, Miss Goldman was
educated in Germany and has lived In
America for % years. She has trav-
eled extensively and is familiar with
classic and modern literature. has a
shake hand acquaintances with
most OF the great. personages OF the
world. whom she has met In one way
and another during her public life
az an orator In the cause OF anarchy.
She will speak in Staeblers hall,
Madison-ave. and Beaubien-st.. Thurs
day evening on The danger In the