The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-06-18
She Wouldn't
Discuss 1t
By EDWARD K. BLUNT


changed them from dependence to in
tory speaks women have made efforts
TO throw Off the yoke and act and
think for themselves. They have not
in past times grown gradually into
power. They have usually attempted
to grasp and use it all at once unaided
by the experience of men.
When. many centuries ago, King
Policlack died he left the crown to his
daughter, the Princess Miranda. Queen
Miranda was one of those women who
by nature crave leadership. The queen.
who from an early age had been inter
ested In the emancipation of her sex.
upon her accession proposed to keep
the power In her own hands. She
would not be continually consulting
persons, as is common with presidents
of the United States. nor would she
permit her heads of departments to de
bate with her. But she didn't intend :
to be autocra tic, she said.
What she did intend was not to be
beaten hither and thither like a ship
without a rudder. Moreover. she prid-
ed herself upon her legal attachments
and declared that all her acts should
be judicial.
Soon after her accession while the
queen was holding an audience her
chief justice begged an interview and
stated that a certain tax that had been
proposed at her instigation was uncon
stitutional. The queen heard him
through to the end-with difficulty
then said to him:
"Your arguments are all wrong. The
tax is an excellent one. 1t will be
adopted"
I'm what respect, your majesty, are
my arguments defective? asked the
chief justice.
II will not discuss the matter" re- |
piled the queen.
The chief justice gave the queen one |
look of astonishment and withdrew. |
The minister of foreign affairs entered.
Your majesty" he said, 'our neigh
bors, the Polyphemians, have demand
ed an indemnity for an incursion re-
Gently made by some of your subjects
into their territory whereby much
grain and other property were de-
stroyed."
Give me, an account of the matter"
said the queen.
The minister narrated the facts, end
ing up with the statement that the
were entitled to be paid I
for their losses. i
"You are all wrong" said the queen. c
II am quite familiar with international |
law, and in this case no indemnity
should be paid
But, your majesty
II will not discuss the matter"
The foreign minister, who had for
many years kept the late king at peace I
with his neighbors, stood for a mo- A
ment looking as IL the earth had t
opened before him and was about to f
swallow him up; then, bowling low, left
the royal presence.
The next caller was the minister of :
state, who desired to dlssuade the !,
queen from bill she had set her heart
IN. 1t was to tax bachelors. He re-
,eived the same replies as the others.
The queen said he was all wrong in the
matter
But your majesty has not heard
he reasons why fear detrimental D
fleet from this bill If passed"
Nor do wish to hear them. That
would involve a discussion, and / will
lot discuss the matter"
The commander in chief of the army A.
anne in next The queens foreign II
,olicy was already showing signs Of
disturbing her amicable relations with m
leighboring powers, and, fearing war, Ia
lie had called with view to urge an to
Of the army. er
II am for peace" was the queens 10
aconic reply to his arguments. ~
But, your majesty, there is an adj .b
ge In time Of peace prepare a,
The queen cut him short with the be
sual refusal to discuss the matter,
nd the general got out like the rest az
1t was not long before the minister on
( internal revenue announced that ia
mob had gathered to resist the en-
orcement of the tax she had levied. ~
he minister of foreign affairs reported ~
nat the Polyphemians had given her
his walking papers The
linister of state sent word that nine
,nths of the bachelors of the kingdom =.
ad moved across the border into that h.,
the Polyphemians. thus depriving in
err of their services In case of war for
nd becoming an auxiliary TO the king
Polyphemia The general in chief
the army reported that, n war being n
hand. he would like instructions as u
the disposition of her meager forces
The only one of these officials the
leen replied to was the general in as
lief whom she condescended TO ask Co
bat she had better do He replied an
at any opinion from him would be ve
subordinate. inasmuch as he well ON
lew her majesty was not accustomed She
discuss her measures with her heads ,,or
departments. Besides. since she was rec
r peace doubtless she had other q.
ethods of preserving IL than by the nic
holy method of war. me
There was now no time for the queen cir
discuss the matter" for the Poly FAT
emians came down with a large att
nv. the vanguard OF which was com sun
sed Of the taxed bachelors. The Vii
cen was depoSed. and one Of the Wat