The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1913-06-06
SUFFRAGE FOR
WOMEN LIVE
STATE ISSUE
QUESTION COMES UP AND IS
WIDELY DISCUSSED IN
MISSISSIPPI.
JACKSON CITIZEN WRITES.
In a Letter to Association Presi-
dent He Can Give No Reason
For Disfranchising The
Women.
JACKSON CITIZEN WRITES.

One of the live q uustions in Miss
issippi now is that of woman suff-
rage. Men'of prominence, as well as
women, in all sections Of the State,
are showing keen interest in the mat
ter, and as the question is brought
to public attention by repeated dis
cussion, it is surprising how many
men of prominence and influence are
announcing their open advocacy of
the cause.
Among these is Hon. Clay Shar-
key, Of Jackson, well known
throughout the State. In reply to
letter from Mrs. Annie Kinkead
Dent, Of Jackson, President of the
Mississippi Suffrage Association,
asking for his reasons for espousing
woman suffrage, Mr.. Sharkey writes
as follows:
jackson, Miss, May, 13, 19:3-Mrs
Annie X. Dent, President Mississippi
Woman Suffrage, Yazoo City, Miss
Dear Madam: Your letter asking me
to give my reasons for believing In
female suffrage, received. Were y0n to
ask OF those not SO believing, to give
reason for the disfranchising Of wo.
men, 1t would be very interesting read
ing to me, as have never heard
reason given other than that given ly
every privileged class, from the be.
ginning OF history, namely-'Y0ur in
terest is protected by US, and why do
you wish to assume responsibility
that we are content to serve, and We
are able to protect for your sake?'
Government is formed for the pro-
lection Of life, liberty, morals and
prosperity Of its citizens, but for all
its citizens. One.haIf Of the citizens
are females Life is sweet, liberty as
dear, morals as much desired, and the
property In Mississippi about equal in
value. Ii men wish the ballot to elect
officers to make laws affecting these
rights, why would women not wish
the same right? II women violate law,
they are amenable to the same code
as men, and their lives aud Liberties
are staked by the same rule Of action.
Now, as to the moral code that |
protects society, both old and young:
Is she not equally interested In the |
framing OF statutes to protect her own
associates and for the training OF her
children? The education OF the chill
dren is left largely to women, both In
the home and the schoolroom. We
are willing TO trust her there.
Now as to property: Every tax on
property is the same On women as on
men. Every business is taxed the
same, whether belonging to male or
female Every burden laid on citizens
Is the same, except women are excused
from military service, and any benefit
is given them, except they are not al
lowed to diaw the salary Of an Office
holder, which amount, collected bobh
from male and female, IL enjoyed alone
by men, except 10 the Instance of the
State Librarian. Yet men receiving
the big salaries often hire women to
do ihe work at less than half what
they get fur the service.
Few persons will contend that wo.
men are aot mems equals in intelli.
gence--the f. It requisite for suffrage.
Nnne wiz: contend that she II less
moral. and the man WIN denies that
-slIe Is mt equally interest ed asa prop
eriy-hClder does no know the property
sta'u OF his State.
Il dn not fight for women's rights.
rontend against the wrong that's
done her i,y DISTINGUISHING her.
Now, as to the silly, hollow -ialk al
making her less womanly. ! see some
OF he best and sweetest wives and
maidens Of jackson doing work of
office-holders In uur state, couniy and
municipal government. Are they less
wouanly tlisn those who sew, stitch
or clerk? But, yuu sag, they come In
contact with all kinds 6f men. Do
they cune In coutact with men more
than The srdin9-huuse lady nr the
raiir"sd clerky Again you soy tlIry
neglect the children? All women do
nut have families, but those wh" do
n ed not neglect their homes m"re /
than the non.voter. Nep who vote