Omaha daily bee., 1912-10-11
Suffrage Will Bring Millennium
BY ADA PATTERSON.

Miss Harriet Ford is back from Colo
RADIO, where she has been studying
women IN politics. Attending the con-
vention in Chicago When William H
birth of new party and the part women
played In 1t. The lessons she learned in
| these schools of politics and her impres-
sions of women as active figures in the
art Of government I learned yesterday
before she had time to crystalize them In
| book or lecture.
I've seen enough of women who vote
to convince me that when they have
general suffrage We will have the mill
lenium In politics. Miss Ford's black
eyes flashed their unmistakeable signal
OF enthusiasm. A smile punctuated the
large sentence.
Then you have no fear Of the vote of
the women who are classed as beyond
the pale?"
mo, | made an investigation OF that
phase of suffrage while In Denver, and
! found that so small a number of these
women voted that their vote was not at
any time a factor worthy consideration,
Besides, l believe that even these women
vote for the best interests of the home,
No one knows better than they that its
sanctity should be protected. Their own
mistakes and sorrows have taught them
this. l don't believe any woman will ever
vote against the interests of the home.
"Nor do l believe that we need fear
the office-seeking woman as an evil
Some women will seek office, as some
women are dominant everywhere. By ma
ture they are leaders and that leader.
ship becomes evident even in their homes.
certainly at their clubs. That is not an
evil. 1t is only a natural working out Of
human-not woman-nature."
"And what of the attitude Of men to-
ward women where women have the
vote?"
That is one Of the most gratifying re-
suits of suffrage. Men and women meet
on the same plane and discuss questions
of government as equals, There is none
of the patronizing You poor thing. You
didn't know much, but l will try to en-
tighten you attitude. tn fact men con-
suit women about questions growing out
OF the political situation. Women Of the
leisure class have more time to ascertain
the facts than man who is busy all
day at his desk. 1t Is by no means un-
common for a man to ask woman for
enlightenment about current topic OF
politics.
Does he get it?'
Always. / was delighted to find how
thoroughly well informed women are. 1t |
is a marvel considering the short time !
in which there has been occasion for |
them to know anything along those lines.
1 was proud Of my sex when saw how
lntelligently women talked politics in Col
orado and in Chicago"
Gould they talk without the personal |
element
Il found their discussions as free from
personalities as those Of the average men.
The education away from personal con-
sideratons and toward the plane of alb
stract principles is progressing. and poll
tics. after clubs. has brought this about. i
II was admit one Of our sex failings
TO view matters from personal stand
point, and feared we might inject a
fierce partisanship into the practice Of |
politics MY long visit to Colorado proved |
that was mistaken
what did you think Of the dennonstra-
ton for Roosevelt started by q Chicago
woman?''
Miss Ford heaitated- 1T seemed to me-"
she said finally. that II was bit theat.
ric. It seemed tc be wasted effort
Was II rehearsed or q natural out
brsakT
Il believe It was fixec up by one dele