New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-06-17
WHY NOT SUFFRAGE
The Reasons Of the "Antisn /.
Sharply Criticised.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Mrs. Townsend. winner OF q -.
OF 800 for the best essay on Why =.
Ballot Should Not Be Given 10 Woms,
uses the old and worn out arrlmsr,,
fear OF the red light district yo+,,,
fear OF the best element not voting ~,
Of a childless future, and fear Of a.
OF modesty IN women. Il Is rightly cal,
best essay rather than best reasons q.
the "antis" have not yet learned 70 m.
son very deeply.
The women OF the red light d,s,--
are mostly young girls under voting ss
They are moved about from place /,
place 20 keep their dens as secret as vos
sible. and seldom are In one voting IA
trict a long enough time 70 bsco-,
voters. Even in the few cities where ts,r
are segregated they would not be Above
20 come out 20 vote, for their OWEN
would not dare brave public opinion. :.
pecially II women were part Of the vocu
public. The men Of the red Ighr' IL
trict. the white slave owners Z,
patrons Of the dens and the police ".
by their business ownership, money 4.
protection are responsible for the eyl, AZ
already voters and are working E1ts u
ANTS" against women voting.
OF the women over school age who Il.
best fitted physically 70 become nothgl
are the girls and women who have l7s.
outside Of a purely social or hos.
maids life Doctors are urging go-s
20 get outside Of their household az.
walk in the open. Even a walk TO L,
polls once in q year would be better iau
no change from the eternal hogssEan
OF the poor, or the cards and dances
the rich. At the age Of afty women "
have taken an interest IN public a1d-l
can readily be distinguished BY thr
youthful appearance. Actresses. teaeaa
and office workers at that age still bar
something to live for.
As for modesty. that is innate IN TonE
and cannot be weakened By waikiki
in the street with several thosss.
women. Mrs. Townsend thinks w0-z
fail In patriotism By array!ng sex agz-s
sex. but that has always been. and Eo1s
are now trying 70 unite IN work With a..
for the best interest OF men and po-r1
Mrs. Henry. Of Cleveland, anothss 5HH
winner. is a business woman. who T.
ploys twenty men. and has actively ~
sisted In the election or defeat o. val,'-
political candidates" She very consists,
ly declares women are unfit FOR bus.is
or politics physically. she writes Of =
conservation OF woman's strength =
motherhood. And right she Is -sl :
ants" think and argue long enough q
they will come over on the right SO
Girls cannot have too much open ar g.
sunshine 10 build up strength, 2na ~
women have a mans chance FOR oatas.
lie and health giving exercise thsI y
have more strength with which 70 ~
their duties.
But family life and motherhood nave
business side Just as politics nave d a
lily interest. Every child tiY.des p
family income in one more part. iaAi'
from the children already born pan .
their living and inheritance. LACK o. y
come large enough % cover added y
pense and still maintain the family s'1a'
ing Is the usual obstacle q large faii-l-'l
When woman's necessities, as Wen = =
tax money. become a factor n POM
A governmental premium may oe s''
with each child. As women nave
narrow and intense interest In NE Is
might demand as much for a new We !
a soldier receives for the business q 9
stroying the woman born enemy
BETsEY BROOKS
Catskiu. y. Y. June =, l9i5.