Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-03-09
NEWS OF THE OLD DOMINION.

vote. or that their vote will outnum-
Der that of the good women. Stats
tics show that the vote Of this char
acter in the suffrage states is only one
half Of one per cent.
Some men assert that women are
too sentimental for public affairs.
The speaker told Of man who having
made this object shortly afterwards
bewaled the heartless, cruel unfeeling
character Of our American business
and political life, and exclaimed that
what the country needed was human
sentiment in the conduct Of it's affairs
an interesting method Of reasoning.
Others say women should york
through their charitable and philan-
thropic organizations. In this con-
nection story was told of a lady who
came into her kitchen to find the wat
err running from an open spigot, while
the maid vigorously endeavored to
mop up the flood from the floor. The
mistress, after turning off the tap,
asked the maid why she had not done
50. 81 didn't have time tC monkey
with the tap" was the reply-an Illus
.ration of the point of view of those
who do not 90 to the source Of things
in public life.
All women, we are told, do not want
suffrage. Neither do all men, as any
.ity registration list will show, but
men are not disfranchised on that ac-
count. The average woman does not
demand it, some add. Bat the ave-
age man has never been the leader
n any great world movement, that rs
eft for the great ones Of our earth.
The average person, however, can FOL
low the noble leaders.
The women who want suffrage are
cratic, eccentric, unwomanly, Many
have been led to this opinion by cheap
,aricature and ridiculc and need mere
to look more thoroughly and deeply
nto the matter.
Women, some think cannot vote be-
.ause they cannot fight. Men Of sew
,ral professions, men over forty-llVe,
men understood are exempt from
military duty, but are they therefore
DISTINGUISHED? Must women in these
enlightened days, kill somebody be-
ore she is fitted to have voice in
public matters q.
I'm closing Miss Johnston gave
wonderful description Of the beati-
ication Of Joan Of Area woman who
aad stepped from her sphere and
lrew a noble and inspiring picture of
he time when man and woman, work
ng together and cOmplimenting each
,ther should advance our race to a
higher plane Of greater achievement
md truer progress.
Miss Johnston was followed by Mrs.
Valentine, who in delightful and con-
sensational style told Of the suffrage
movement in Virginia, and Of its work
n other countries. Two years ago ~
women Of Richmond, who felt that
heir state should not lag behind in
he march Of progress formed an equ
IL suffrage league. There are now
800 in the league in Richmond, and
branches in several larger Virginia
.ities-Roanoke, Lynchburg, Newport
News, West Point, etc. BY the Vir-
sinia statute idiots, criminals, luna
les, and children cannot vote "WOm-
IN Of Virginia." said Mrs. Valentine,
do you like your company" The
male child may grow up, the criminal
oe pardoned, and the lunatic regain
lis sanity, and so retain the right OF
citizenship, but the idiots and the WON
IN are in the hopeless class.
Of great interest was Mrs. Valen-
tines account Of some Of the real and
practical benefits that have come from
equal suffrage where the matter had
been put to the test. In New-Zealand
the birth rate and marriage rate have
whereas the proportion of
infant mortality and of divorce have
In some suffrage states
legislation has been accomplished that
mas given to women equal pay for
equal work with men, that has given
state institutions for the feeble mind
ed and for dependent, and that has
put a chair of domestic science in the
state universities.
Mrs. Valentines address was most