New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-25
SAY ROOT STANDS STILL
Suffragists Call Him Narrow
Minded Idea|iSt.
UNCHANGED SINCE 1893"
MODS and Riots" Not the
Woman's Idea of Government,
Declares Miss Hay.

TIE anii-suffra2e seeds sown ny Sena-
tor Elihu Root fell Oh stony ground. The
women who want the vote want It just
a. much as ever. and they expressed
themselves Yesterday as not particularly
surprised at ;he Senator's remarks.
''The Senator hasn't changed biz since
So. has me- unused Miss Mary Garrett
Hay. chairman OF the Woman Suffrage
party. Most OF Us learn something IN
twenty years but he doesn't seem to- He
IS Just the same narrow minded. preiu-
diced man that he was when he defeated
our amendment in The constitutional con-
NcLtion In l%3.
What il il tr says government is pro-
lection a2ains, foreign aggression. against
Internal diss, nsion. against mobs and
riots? lie must be thinking IF Mexico.
That isn't the woman's idea of govern
ment in a democratic country Women
think laws concerning schools. public
health aud social purity as much the
function OF government IN civilized
community AZ mobs and riots.
And as for politics being strife con-
tent.on. bitterness and heart burning,
which are adverse To tie true character
Of woman. didn't IN. Senator ever hear
~ wpmeus clubs OH. We have lad our
own experience in strife and heart burn
ing these many years. We are quite fitted
for politics. Club life has taught rs 10
keep our temper and respect our neigh
bor's opinion"
Dr. Anna Howard Shaw wasn't much
disturbed by the Senator's remarks.
either
He is sentimental idealist. without
one touch OF practical common sense.
she observed His ideas Of woman be
long in an ideal life Of an ideal people
They have nothing 10 do with practical
America Of to-day. II may I've that the
duty Of protection rests with the male
Look about New York to-day and see II
TN. male has done his duty. Read tie
New York papers and see II women are
protected. the male has rnade an eyre
gious failure OF his job. Shall women
still suffer. when they could help them
selves;
Woman rules tho world by the sweet
and noble influences Of her character, the
Senator says. Well. these sweet and
noble influences ought TO ~ Just az use
ful ia the community at large a. they
are in the private family. II woman con
trols the world already. II IL hard 10 sec
how she .s going 20 lose control o! II by
taking stlll another weapon In her hand
II isn't going To hurt women any 90 h6p
sweeten and -nnOhle other peoples lives.
As FOR these mobs and riots. W. doupt
II III. senator ever vas called upon 10
take hand IN quelline a mob. Yet he
- a great statesman. and YOU wouldn't
take away his vote. Many man can
ngit better than he who isn't half so
important TO the government"
At Mrs - ii. J.. Belmonts lunchroom
yesterday IN. Senator's remarks were
featured in the noonilme programme OF
speeches. Miss Elsie Mckenzie. who dis
penses argument to those who des.fe Il
after eating. detained a. length waving
a copy Of The Tribune In one hand ana
putting the atmosphere Into circulation
with the other.
N IT,. suffrage isn't an inherent right
il isn't a right for man any more than
FOR woman. Yet all men have II, simply
b.caus. they are men. and AL women DO
not have II. simply because they are
women There ~ no common sense III
tn. division. II the suffrage Is given as a
matter OF expedencc, 1t should be given
10 the most Intelligent. IN. people most
useful 10 the government
Women are not trying to usurp man :
functions I'm government. They want 10
suppl.ment them. II IL because they az"
different. have a different point 81 view
that They believe they are needed Family
If. is not perfect without both men ana
women Neither Is the state. All the
troubles and imperfections in the state
to-day are due 10 mans inability TO run
the government alone. just ~ the Kitchen
Is dirty and the children ragged when
man tries 20 get along without a woman.