The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-07-08
Equal Political Rights In Finland
Brings About Cooperation BE-
tween the Men and the
Women.
FRAULEIN JENNY SAYS
Denies That Only the Ignorant and
Lower Classes o. Women Are
Exercising Their Right
to Vote.

[By Karl H. Won Wiegand, Berlin cor
respondent of the United Press.]
BERLIN, July 7-"Woman's suf-
frage has proven a success in Fin
land-not success distinct or sepa
rate from the legislative work OF the
men but a success in the hearty COM
radeship and political cooperation Of
men and women resulting from equal
suffrage and equal political rights.
This was the statement made by
Fraulein Jenny of Torselles, doctor ii
philosophy and one of the leading
women members of the Finnish par
lament. Dr. Torselles is handsome
young woman Of about 33. or schol-
arly appearance, there wa nothing in
her voice, manner or looks to indicate
masculinlty and positiveness usually
associated with suffragists. She had
been one of the leading Finnish dele
yates to the international womans
suffrage congress at Budapest, where
she made report on the woman's
movement in Finland, and was on
her way to her home in Helsingfors
You ask for some first hand infor-
nation on womans suffrage In Fin
land. for American newspaper read
ers How was it obtained by the
Finish women, how has it been used,
what have been the results ?" said
she.
"The men of Finland conferred up
on. the women the r.yht OF suffrage In
1906, first. as a mere matter of JUS
tice; second. in recognition of the
work and noble spirit of the women
for their cooperation with the men IN
resisting five years of efforts Of the
Russian government to throttle our
constitutional liberties and to absorb
and Russianize Finland, When Rus
STA was defeated by Japan, it brought
temporary victory to Finland. The
Russian government rescinded Its
oppressive measures and the car
permitted Finland to revise its CON
btitution. Parliament was permitted
to meet again. Suffrage was given
women virtually without opposition.
at seemed a perfectly natural
thing. There were no demonstrations
and no ovations. The men wanted
us as comrades and helpers In the
political life and activities of out
country upon basis of political
equality"
Fraulein Torselles showed printed
symposium of the opinions of the
leading male members of the Finist
members, upon the effect, and result!
of womans suffrage in Finland While
conservative in their statements
there was not a note of regret II
what any OF the leaders of the Finisl
political world had to say.
Senator Leo Mechelin, said "Ou
women members of parliament hay
largely devoted their legislative Ell
forts to subjects pertaining directl.
to women,s realm wherein they hav
a keener insight than men. Anon
these might be mentioned, revisin
the property rlSntS Oh HubDdHu al
wife, improving the legal status Q
illigitimate children, maternity insul
ance, prison reform, establishing pri:
on colonies, providing for educationa
courses in domestic science and ecor
omy, temperance laws and othe
sociological, hygienic and moral legi
lation.
@The political enfranc hisement {
women in Finland has not had an vi
favorable influence upon our fami!
or social life, in fact, quite the col
trary. It lies In the nature OF thing
that equality and equal privilegs
must have favorable and ennoblin
effect upon the relations OF mankin
one to another.
That the exercising by women
the right to vote, VIII disturb tt
family life or interfere with the d
mestic duties of a wife or mother,
but the fancy OF weak men who lei
for their traditional authority" co
cluded Senator Michelen.
THAT we have used the right
suffrage sensibly, that we have n
abused 1t, that 1t has not lowered o.
womanhood, that we havs not
elected our homes and other dutie