The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-01-22
MRS, ], I, ELLySON
OPPOSES SUFFRAGE
Wife of~Lieutenant- Governor
Wishes to Remain
"Man's Superior"
DECLARES HER SIDE
OUTNuMBERS OTHERS
After Twenty Years in the
Thick of Political Cam
paigns, Knows Where.
of She Speaks

Women advocates OF equal suffrage
had their ny Friday afternoon and
night Thus far women who oppose
It have had little to say. A petition
the House committee on
privileges and elections to report the
Montague bill unfavorably has bean
filed, but aside from that tho oppo-
sttion has remained silent.
Mrs. J. Taylor Ellyson. wife Of vir-
Hfnfx.1 lieutenant governor h1g given
consent to The publication OK q letter
written some days ago to Senator
Howell G. Featherstan. In which she
sets forth the Views by the other side.
Perhaps no woman In the State has
q better record Of effort and achiev-
ment along religious. charitable and
civic lines than Mrs. Eliyson. She
10 an active member OF a number Of
tnf1uential women's societies. includ-
Ing the Daughters of the American
Revolution and United Daughters Of
this Gunfederacy ana sne Il president
OF the Society for the Preservation OF
Virginia Antiquities. Possessing In a
high degree those charms Character
tstic OF Southern womanhood and OF
strong literary and intellectual abii-
ity. what Mrs Eliyson says Is always
a matter Of interest.
Her letter reads: -
January Is. 1912.
Hon. H. G. Featherston:
Ny Dear Mr.. FeAtherston.-I read
in one 0fthe newspapers last week
with much satisfaction and pleasure
that you were opposed to Woman's
Suffrage. The women Of Virginia who
are opposed to II have thus far only
you End your associates in the Leg
tslaturd to protect them from this un-
necessary evil.
The suffragfsts say that no one can
be forced TO vofs. and need not do no
unless she 10 desires. Women are no
more apt to agree OF. all matters than
mei- therefore, II yuu wished 70 acr
P4isA NHythtnx xaE must vDtA
TcHf forfSM dfsinteressed ini1nanet
having been taken away. the heart
burtningA. bitterness and estrange-
ments that would follow. would GER
tainly equal that OF men and be far
more lasting In Its effects upon the
sensitive nature Of woman.
! came to Richmond when I was
much younger than the average girl
msries now. and began life Of &C.
tvity In church. charitable. civic and
patriotic work. which has continued
L
that am behind the times.
- Better Without Citizenship.
In the large numher Of applications
to the city and State governments,
which In company with other ladies'
has been made in behalf Of worthy en-
terprfses we have almost without ex-
ception received favorable response.
Can man. although a voter sly the
same? ! believe that cur success has
been largely due to the recognition
OF the disinterested and noble work
the ladies have been 80 ready to do
In behalf Of all worthy undertakings
II added to our active participation
In the different movements with which
we have been identified. there had been
the additional burden Of citizenship
we could not have done half as much
Els II has been our privileges to do for
the higher interests OF our city and
State.
do not want to be the equal of
man! do not want to place my
responsibilities upon him. neither do
l wish to bear all Of my own and all
Of his besides.
wish to remain his acknowledged
superior.
Qualified to Speak.
feel that am better qualified than
most women to pass upon this ques-
ton ] have been In the thick OF every
poffrfcaf campaign FOR moro than TWEEN
ty years. / know the strain of poll
tics on q man. I do not believe tina,
women could bear 1t, and at the same
time attend to her additional duties
which no one but herself can perform
II an experience Of forty years OF
activity In everything but politics
worth anyfhfnv IN rCmuartsap ~t<N
this new proposition fraught with &c
many difficulties and changes whfcf
have never been tried by us, and which
seems to me no useless?
"a; beg you.. Nj. FeAiifesstohe, 10 us.
all Of the influence in your powe,
with your associates In the Iegisla.
ture against this measure. While III
defeat win be a great disappointment
to the suffragists. they will really lose
nothing by returning to the peace ant
happiness which has been and stili Il
the heritage OF Virginia women. Theil
-tsxeS will - -Re hisheEs and, the meme,
which they earn, or have inherited. un.
der our present laws, WIN Be as saft
as though they had been allowed Il
vote.
The non-suffsagist viii rise upant
call you blessed" Their number Il
far greater than the former. although
not so conspicuous. - They are equal.
ly endowed with intelligence, pro-
gressiye public spirtt---allve to the
needs Of humanity. and 4 love for tho
rights OF both men and women a.
those with whom they diner. an
yours with much respect.
Very sincerely,
MRS, +, TAYLOR ELLySON.