The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-05
Must Wear Mems Clothes.

L y the vi IhC
Sir.-As there is being SO much said
at this time in regard TO the suf
fragctte question in Virginia, | desire
space in your paper to make few
remarks In line with my views on
this question.
have just read In your issue of
the 18th Instant where Mr.. Hill Mon
tague, of Richmond has offered bin
in behalf Of woman suffrage. also
note in your issue Of December 1G that
MIR. Montague made n speech before the
Equal Suffrage League OF Virginia 20
the effect that he had been Informed
that the voters would not have sup
ported him in his election had they
known that he would champion the
suifragettc cause. Just think for q mo-
mont what this means. II means 4 be-
trayai OF confidence. It appears to mo
that he has an axe 10 grind or he
would not take this position against
the Will Of his constituency. AS l sec
the duties OF legislator, IL Is to rep
resent as near as possible the wishes
OF their constituency. regardless OF
their own private opinion in regard
to public affairs. because he is a ser-
want OF the people. designated by the
people to voice the wishes Of the peo-
pie.
placed him in the Garden OF Eden
warned OF the forbidden fruit. God
saw that II was not good that the
man should be alone. ! Will make q
hclpmcct. After she was brought unto
Adam, He said: This Is now bone
OF Ny bone and flesh Of Ny flesh She
shall be called woman. because she was
taken out OF man. Therefore shall n
man leave his father and mother and
shall clcavc unto his wife, and they
shall be ono flesh" Then II was the
serpent bcguilcd woman and she and
Adam did cat of the forbidden fruit So
God said unto the woman. IL will
greatly multiply thy sorrow and con-
ception: in sorrow thou shall br.ni;
forth children: and thy desire shall
he thy husbands. and he shall rule
over thee.
Now, II suffrage was extended 10
women and they were TO vote against
their husbands desires they would be
disobeyins the laws OF God. We know,
further, that the Bible teaches that
where the house Is divided II cannot
stand. On the other hand, we viii sup
pose that the wife votes her hus.
band votcs. This would not change
matters in the least from where they
now stand. and would only serve 10
heap up further burden of taxation
on tho poor laboring class OF people: 10
establish moro voting precincts;. to
furnish more election officers; to have
more tickets printed; to call away
from home the wife. tho daughter and
the sister. and, after all. everything
TO lose and nothing to gain. Your good
wife and daughter have all the bust
ness at home that they are physically
able to do. without adding TO their
A lrF, ri k,.as1
political activity, which is near cut
on destroying the refinement and high
social elevation that they now occupy,
by mixing them UP with circumstances
that we have to contend with Mt the
polls. Further, Ii I was convinced that
the passage Of the equal suffrage
clause would not be contrary TO the
moral elevation or our country, IL
would not be in favor of IL until /
was convinced that women we're ply
sically able TO follow the fruits Of
their ballot. We don't know how soon
we may be called upon to settle by
ballot some question of great interest
II might be at some time that peace
or war would hinge on our vote, and
in that case / do not feel that woman
should vote unless she could at Will
he man-be soldier. march day IN
and day out with gun on shoulder:
fight with the bravery of men In bat
tie; lay down the hobble skirt and the
ostrich plumes. and forget the Merry
Widow hats and all their first cousins.
and. lastly, wear mems apparel Then,
and not until then. do / feel that they
are eligible to vote.
our country has prospered SO far un :
der the management of men in public
affairs, and feel that 1t is well to
let good enough alone. There is no
reason why tho old Mother State
should make u step backward by
plungins our wives and daughters into
politics, dividing the house, OF at least
giving room for such to be the case
unnecessarily. 1t would be the means
OF driving out sunshine. peace and
happiness from homes that have never
known despair by lcgalIz:ng and cul-
tivating the seeds of family friction,
and. in my opinion would often lead
ITO divorces.
There is no man that has more re-
spect for women than I do. and to that
,.t, -