The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-08-08
BY ESTHER GRIFFIN WHITE.

BY ES Hen GHlF I'm VIII z.
They're all doing it now"
Even our dyed-in-the-wool old Re-
publican stand-patters.
They, too, threw sop to the wom-
en-.
In convention assembled this week
they put out a cautious feeler toward
woman's enfranchisement.
The Dems, earlier in the season,
gave woman's suffrage the cold and
icy init"
Or, rather, none at all.
Turned down the feminine delega-
ton, who asked for recognition in
their state platform, with little cere-
mony.
Maybe, now, they wish they hadn't.
For it's never complimentary to your
famed foresight to find out, later, that
you might have beaten the rest of 'em
to it.
Mrs. Stanley, of Liberty, said at
Bethany Park the other day that the
women suffragists of this state were
not committed to the Progressive par
first to put plank in it's state plat
form favorable to women.
Mrs Stanley, however didn't speak
for all the suffragists in this state
1t was an excellent generalization of
its sort. But it wasn't a blanket decla-
ration.
AS stated here the other day the
women should lend such support as
they can now give without the fran
chise in this state to the first political
party that openly declared for equal
civic rights.
The Progressive party was the first.
And its now "up' to the women to
help that party along since the feeble
concession emanating from the Repub-
lican convention was inspired by the
position of the new political aggrega-
ton.
After the object is accomplished,
namely, the right of suffrage given
the women of Indiana, the latter can
become affiliated with any party which
meets their political or social ideals
or seems the most practicable medium
through which to administer the af-
fairs of government.
But they should concentrate on the
best vehicle through which this object
can be achieved
The Progressive party declared une-
quivocally for woman's suffrage and a
minimum wage scale for women and
If the women aren't canny enough to
see where their loyal interests lie,
they're not as wise as they have been
credited with being.
To attain a desired end many de-
tails will have to be thrown into the
discard
What the women want is the right
to vote.
Therefore let them, as stated, con-
centrate their efforts toward the sue
cess of the medium through which
they are to get that right.
The latter, politically, may not meet
their entire approval or appreciation.
But that is not the point
| 1t is the body of men who have not
only declared in their platform that
women would be given equal civic
rights with men; but who have given
it their sincere and undivided support
in the political open.
Albert J. Beveridge, named for Gov
ernor on the Progressive ticket, has
for years advocated and fought for the
industrial betterment and independ.
ence of women and children.
He it was who first tried to get a
Federal child labor law passed. Deter.
minedly opposed by his confreres
among both Republicans and Demo.
Gratis.
He it was who first advocated the
creation of a tariff commission to in
vestigate, adjust and equaliZe the oper
ations of system which admittedly is
the pivot about which the industrial
wheel spins.
And sustained unmerciful ridicule in
so doing.
A ridicule which has gradually evol
both these seemingly revolutionary
measures were the sane solution OF
two vexing social problems.
"a prophet is not without honor,
| etc.
For years delegations from various
womens organizations have gone be-
fore the committees of the two domi
nant parties in Indiana asking for rec
/ ognition.
And with the greatest regularity and
precision have been turned down.
Now comes a new party which rep.
resents, through the fact of its exist.