The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1911-01-27
are being marked down" for secure.

are being marked down" for secure.
ment.
The movement cannot be quarreled
with by any fair-minded man. Not
only have the women proved ability
energy and integrity in the conduct
of the States educational affairs, but
their participation in political cam
paigns have been characterized by
Everything that points to proper Off
cial grasp. 1t is regrettable that a
Colorado women's political meeting
cannot be staged and carted about
the country as an educational exhibit,
for it would be veritable "eye-open-
en-" Equal suffrage has developed
some notable speakers and debaters
among the women, and such gentle
women as Mrs. Helen Grenfell, Mrs.
Sarah Plat Decker, Miss Gail Laugh
lin, Mrs. Helen Ring Robinson, Miss
Ellis Meredith, and score of others.
AS matter of fact, absolute hon
esty forces the confession that the
average women's political meeting is
far finer, more effective and inspiring
than those held by men. The proud
male, accustomed to long-winded har-
argues full of brag, buster and abb
luse-pompous orations without term
inal faculties-and political Juliets
who speak and yet say nothing-suf-
fers actual humiliation when he sees
woman after woman get up, say her
say concisely, intelligently, earnestly
every word counting-and sit
down after fifteen minute speech
III which she has said more than the
usual campaign speaker says in two
hours.
1t is also to be wished ?that a
Colorado election day could be taken
on tour. If tourist critics" are to
be believed, and credence given the
anonymous liars that stuff the
Eastern press, the Colorado election
is rare combination of Moulin
Rouge orgy and Western dance hall
scene. 1t is shame to spoil SO
colorful an illusion, but truth COM
pels the humiliating admission that
election day in Colorado is marked
by the most absolute matter-of-fact-
ness, the very quintessence of nor
mality. Excited by accounts of the
doings of English "suffragettes" and
keyed to high expectation by lurid
SANDERS, the visitor comes primed
for something beyond the ordinary,
and is panied and disappointed to
find no departure from the usual.
The day, except for an entire lack
of drunkenness and disorder, is not
one whit different from election days
in States where only male suffrage
obtains.
Mrs. Helen Grenfell, three times
elected State superintendent of public
instruction, has made three cam
paigns through the State, visiting
every county, and may properly be
regarded as an expert witness. 'In
seventeen years. exercise of the fran
chise," Mrs. Grenfell testifies, II have
yet to see an intoxicated man, to hear
an oath, or see discourteous action
toward any woman at the polling
places, although informed that in
rare instances such things have oc-
Cured in a few of the less desirable
localities.
1t is not the Colorado custom for
women to electioneer, but even in
those cases where they remain about
the polling places, distributing liter
ature or cards, dignity is rarely laid
aside and even the familiarities of
are not employed.
There is an unwritten law among
them that forbids this sort of thing,
and the woman who wishes to play
an important part in politics must |
guard against the disap-
prevail of her sex.
This, of course, applies to the resi-
lence wards and the average family
woman. The ballot does not endow
he unskilled laborer's ignorant wife
with the manner of We're de We're,
nor lift the prostitute above her
shame. And in this connection, let
he vote of the "red light" district
De considered. For If the word of
SANDER is to be taken, Colorado cleo
ions are controlled by the Immoral
vote" and every election day affords
opportunity for prostitution's tri-
lmph.
This is a charge that is easily
made, and one that is very effective
with many worthy people, for the
bare mention of the social evil ex-