East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1912-10-25

two things Either close the mills
and factories, replacing this work and
the women workers back In the
homes as was the case in our great
grandmother's time. or else give to
these women workers their only
means of protecting themselves and
their interests. the ballot.
st is not fair or just to draft
women into this campaign against
their wills.
We assure YOU in all earnestness
that your fears are absolutely ground
less so please don't lose any more
sleep worrying about the women in
our ranks, unless it Is the number
that is causing you to fret. Really
and truly there isn't woman in our
ranks who was drafted in or grated
in. We're here for the very simple
reason that we want to be here. Per-
haps we are lovers of justice, of our
sex, and of our state, even though II
has persisted in keeping us listed
with its minors criminals, idiots and
aliens.
There is nowhere to be found no.
bier, more capable, or better class OF
women than those here in Oregon
asking for the franchise and for the
simple reason that we believe II to be
the quickest, most dignified and least
| conspicuous way of expressing our
sentiments upon issues in which we
rightly have an interest.
Our adversary includes every vici-
GUS interest in the country (that al
one should be recommendation
enough for our cause), and appar-
emily they suspect that it is a much
easier matter to contend with wo-
mans indirect influence, than to try
to cope with her vote We ask you,
friends, to study the forces opposing
woman suffrage or rather those inter-
ests who fear womans vote, and If
YOU study this opposition well you
VIII not care to have your name pub
licly linked with our adversary.
4-This is the sixth time the issue
has been turned down.
And although it is turned down six
times six more times the cause will
still be just and worthy, and we prom
Use YOU Wen still be here, for were
here to stay till we get what we're
after, the fact that we have come back
six times already is pretty good
recommendation for our sticktoitive-
ness. Perhaps one of the causes of
our stubborn persistence is the fact
that through the veins of most of us
| flows the blood of a people whose
shining examples of sturdiness.
staunchness and loyalty to purpose
have never been surpassed, the Ore
son pioneers
Supposing those mothers and
grandmothers had become discourage
ed AMI faint hearted when confront
ed with the hardships and privations
| incident to the early settling up of
the state. We have all heard enough
concerning those days of trials and
distress to know that the fortitude and
courage of those women was as the
strength of Gibraltar. Just how
much those pioneer women contribute
ed by their sacrifice. patient endur-
ance and untiring effort to the maxi
! ing of this beutiful home land we
can never know, but this we do know,
had they not been the staunch. 10y
al helpmates that they were Oregon
would still be a land of bunchgrass.
Indians and trappers.
Has Oregon appreciated these no.
| BILE women? Has Oregon in any way
| recipcocated? Yes; by six times de-
! claring them and their daughters un-
fit subjects for state citizenship.
BETHENE AKERS.
Pendleton, Ore