The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1911-01-27
BY GEORGE CREEL
and JUDGE BEN B. LINDSEY
(The Delineator)

Colorado, better, perhaps, than
any other State, affords an opportun-
ity of equal suffrage's value OF
its merits and dement's, its efficiency
or it's failure. This commonwealth
is peculiarly suited by reason of the
typical Americanism that marks its
people and it's problems. Within its
border is every hope that animates
the national heart, and every menace
that casts Its shadow over our dem
ocratic institutions. The pioneer
spirit still Notwithstanding mount
aims, Harvesting torrents, bringing
deserts into bloom--and side by side
with hardy enterprise and uncon-
scious idealism there are those forces
of ruthless commercialism so init
mately identified with modernity.
Against this background of characte-
eristic conditions, the medley of cour-
age and craft, patriotism and rapac-
ity, honor and dishonor, that is
America equal suffrage has limned
itself more boldly than could have
been possible in many other States.
1t has been one of the great bells
that has aroused Colorado to the
work of flushing fifth from it's poll
tics, lettering economic conditions,
mitigating the cruelties of Industrial
ism, promoting equal and exact just
ice, and making for a more whole
some and expansive environment.
To these ends, In the short space of
seventeen years, it has aided in plac-
ing score of needed laws on the
statute books, 1t has raised new
standards of public service, of politi-
cal morality and official honesty. 1t
has helped to lift the curse of cor
poration control from the govern
ment. 1t has gone far to bit and
bride the lawless Liquor iterests."
1t has made for fuller, finer partic-
ipation in public affairs, and by the
introduction of distinctly independ-
ent element into partisan politics, it
has compelled the adoption Of pro-
gressive platforms and the nomina-
ton of better candidates than the
"old way" ever knew
If the reform were pinned down
to a specific result, and the discus
sion limited to one concrete outcome,
equal suffrage could not well afford
to rest it's case on the findings of the
Inter-Parlimentary Union. This globe
circling organization of men and wo-
men, who play important parts In
the public affairs of their various
countries, is on record as declaring
that Colorado has the sanest,, the
most humane, the most progressive,
most scientific laws relating to the
child to be found on any statute
books in the world" And of these |
laws which drew such praise from
impartial sociologists, not one but
has come into operation since Colo
RADIOS adoption of equal suffrage in
1893; not one but either owes it's
inception or its success to the voting
women. Even in those cases where
the law was not originated, not spec
ifically championed by them, they
elected the official responsible for the
law, and whose candidacy had it's
base in revolt and reform.
The list is as long as splendid;
laws establishing State home for
dependent children, three of the five
members of the board to be women;
making mothers joint guardians of
their children with the fathers; rails
ing the age of protection for girls
to eighteen years; creating juvenile
courts; making education compulsory
for all children between the ages of
eight and sixteen, except the ailing,
those taught at home, those over
fourteen who have completed the
eighth grade, those who support
themselves, or whose parents need
their help and support; establishing |
truant or parental schools; forbid
ding the insuring of lives of children
under ten; making it a criminal Of
tense for parents or other persons |
to contribute to the delinquency OF
children; forbidding children OF six-
teen or under to work more than
eight hours day in any mill, factory
or store, or in any occupation that |
may be deemed unhealthful; requir-
ing that at least three Of the six
members of the State Board of Coun-
ty Visitors be women; establishing
a State industrial home for girls, J