The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-22
SHALL WOMEN VOTE?

10 tho Editor Of The Times Dispatch:
Sir,-Friday, January 10, Will 20
down In the history or Virginia as
most memorable day. On that day the
uhtfanchiscd part OF the population OF
mo State pleaded their cause before
the committee of tho so-called repre-
sentative branch of the government APP
pointed for hearing such causes. Women
VINO work for their own support and
tho support OF others women who pay
taxes. women who train the minds of
me youth OF this State. women who
In their professional life see the cry
ing needs of legislation which the law
governing body refuses to enact W.:
'leh VINO have given the State her
mcn--th Sc pleaded well that a larScr
opportunity to aid their State be given
them. This is not time for the men
oil the State, who boast OF trelr chiyalry
ana open -mindcdncss, to snecr at and
Fiuieuic the woman's movement; 1t liz Il
tithe IN which they should DC devoutiy
thankful that the women of this state
arc unsclhsh enough, in the midst or
ihultitudinous domestic and Industrial
uutics, 10 offer their services to the
state for her bcttcrment
Taxation without approximation
the old cry rang out again. a part OF
the people taxed for the support of
tue government, and yet without
voice In elcc,ing the representatives
VINO nuke the laws and distribute the
funds OF the state. Neither the mem
bers of the committee Oh whom was
conferred the honor of hearing this
cause. nor the people who were present
TO witness the proceedings, can deny
tho righteousness and justice OF wo-
mans plea for the franchise. The
truth. tho whole truth. and no;hin;:
put the truth, was presented. Hard
fact fell upon hard fact. Mrs. Valcn-
tine. Miss Johnston, Mrs. Bosher, Mrs
Lewis Mrs. Wise. Miss Davis, Miss Ran
dolph produced the figures that can
not lie. Miss Johnston dealt IN g con-
else way with the biological philosoph-
ical and historical-as well as tho prac-
.ical-aspccts of the cause. II Is o
great loss to the State that her men do
not take TO the performance OF their po-
litscal duties such thoughtfulness and
Intelligent sentiment as were evident
in ars. Valentines masterful presenta-
ton OF the rights OF woman. It has
been many n day since the walls OF
Nirsinias House OF Delegates ha>
echoed 10 such well. reasoned and dig
nihcd presentation OF cause
Two representatives OF organized la
Dor spoke earnestly for the granting or
the franchise TO women. Three minis
ters of the gospel, men endowed with
the strength and courage OF conviction
which lay beneath every action OF their
Master when He dealt with Injustice
these men. refreshirsly unafraid 90
carry the sign Of their high calling into
tho political arena, came 10 testify to
the value and righteousness of the wo.
mans cause
The day huE come for the men who
claim open mIndcdness 70 justify their
claim; the day has come for tho men
who boast their chivalry TO perform the
most noble act OF chivalry--adnlit the
defeat Of their prcjudiccs by the evi.
Gencc that has boon produced. Woman
Is not the mental. moral. physical
weakling that the preconceivcd views
~ her brothers would seem TO indi-
cate. nor Is she the divinity which
their oft soft-spoken half-truths would
lead the unknowing to think. Woman
IS human, and she is tired of the Qucs
tioaable position OF parasite In which
man. by his se!ishness, has placed her
1t is not fair TO subject this large pro-
portion OF self. home and government
supporters OF tho population to the hui
initiation of living on favors and priv
lieGeE. Men FAY they love fair play:
there is but one kind of fair play
and that is granting people their rights
1t Is contended that II Is not right
that woman should be subjected to the
mating influence OF politics, the un-
couthness of tho voting booth. Ger
tainly no ono Will ever say again after
last Friday that woman has not the
Intelligence required TO cast Il ballot
Does the average man who has tn
least spark OF patriotism find II a hard
ship to cast his ballot or keep himself
Informed as to political situations!
Why II the man in his crowded buzz
mess life can find time to keep himself
posted in political matters and TO
vote should not women do so? Is GU
Nirginian home such an institution OF
slavery ito the daily round, the com
mon task" rs this argument would In
dictate? Why should the influence OF
politics be communicating? VII
should not political life be Clean or
made clean. II 1t Is so filthy? The no
litical life is n part Of tho religious.
whole. Why should the voting booth
I've such an uncouth place? II is there
that man performs as sacred a duty
20 his Creator as he does In the house
OF worship and petition. Why should
not the voting booth be as clean as our
0nurchcs and schools and as highly
rcvercnced? This most sacred duty OF
political life should not be performed In
a rum be logged atmosphere or in the
midst of profanity and strife any more
than that a man should think of max
ing his private dcvotions in such an
atmosphere. This argument argues a
condition which is not quite good to
admit: "a failure of man to realize the
greatness and sacredncss of the fran
chise right. "Oh. but 1t is not right"