The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-11-01
Voters in Six States
To be Put to Test
\ X X X * *t* X X * *
(By Clara Bewick Colby.)

Wy Siotd LCWlSh SO4pSs
In five states the voters are t be
put to the test November s. The
question they will answer for them
selves by their votes is. How far they
nave become educated to regard wom-
en- as human beings with human
rights. how far they have overcome
ancient prejudices and the cowardice
that Is always afraid to trust others
with equal rights and opportunities.
The question they will answer for
their states is. Will 1t take rank with
the most progressive commemorative
in the civilized world, or will it delay
in its own case. as far as possible. the
onward march of progress? Doubt
less today many men are balancing
their Innate love of Justice with all
their conventional prejudices and
fears. Meanwhile the women of these
states are fondly trusting that the
right will prevail and Loyalty claiming
that the men of their own particular
state r the best in the world, and
will certainly give them the same
women in six states in America. and
in Australia. New Zealand, Finland.
Norway. Sweden. Portugal and in
parts. at least Of China.
l spent the summer months Of this
campaign year in oregon. and every
thing tends to confirm the belief which
was then universally held that success
was sure for the suffrage amendment.
In this campaign Oregon has felt the
impetus given by the recent adoption
OF woman suffrage in Washington and
California. The Pacific coast is ac-
customed to thinking along the same
lines. and its interests are identical in
most respects. So when a postal card
map Is sent out showing Idaho to the
east. Washington to the north and
California to the south in yellow. and
Oregon a black patch in the middle. IT
is understood as "A strong plea for Ore
gon to become pure gold also in it's
justice to women. Then. again. the
general westward trend Of the popu-
lation has carried into this newly de-
veloped and newly advertised state
many persons from the states where
women have been voting for years.
Naturally they feel the indignity of
the position. To forfeit ones politicai
status. as a million and a quarter of
women are 10Y eligible to do at any
time by crossing an invisible line here.
and there in their W country Of
which they are citizens is an anomaly
that cannot long be tolerated. Where
such women have had the sovereign
right Of consent to government by
stepping over into Oregon they find
themselves among the subject class.
along with the immature. the defec-
tive. and the criminal. Where once
their advice has been sought and their
opinion been Of the greatest concern,
now 1t is of no value. and nobody cares
what they think. So they are always
the most ardent workers for the ex-
tension Of woman suffrage into their
new home.
In Kansas women have had the adj
vantage of political training In the use
Of the municipal ballot. and this il
evident in the frank and genia! atti-
tude toward men and the confidence
with which they turn to men now for
assistance in the campaign. Every
door swings open to the womcn of
Kansas.
What has been called by some one
"soap-box oratory' has become very
popular In up-to-date propaganda. II
is a question Of Mahomet going to the