The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-08-10

two-thirds of the graduates of public and
private high schools in Alabama were
girls. Therefore woman suffrage means
the addition of more educated voters.
'"rhe women of Alabama want to pro-
tect their homes by having a direct voice
in the making of the laws governing san
itation, food and water inspection, gar
base disposal fire protection, the Immoral
influences of the street, and all other
agencies which affect the home.
"The women of Alabama want to aid
directly in the abolition of the white slave
traffic by means of their ballots.
Women might help administer Ala
bama affairs more economically, honestly
and progressively than have the present
voters. Many men admit that Alabama
men and women together could do much
better for themselves, the state and pos
terity than would either sex alone.
"These are some of the reasons why
Alabama women should vote.'
Another takes this premise: "Have
you ever thought why your mother,
wife, sister and daughter are not al
lowed to vote?" and gives these views:
The only reason for not enfranchising
any class of people in a democracy is
because they are mentally or morally
incompetent to vote.
The reason why women are not en-
franchlsed is because when our consti-
tuition was made 1872 years ago women
were considered mentally incompetent
to vote.
One hundred, and thirty years ago
girls were not admitted to the public
grammar schools; women We're not ad-
mitted to the colleges; women were not
admitted to many of the trades and
professions; married women could not
own property. and married women did
not own their own children.
During the past 1872 years the status
of women has completely changed.
At the present time our high schools
are graduating more girls than boys;
10000 women are in our colleges; S,000,-
600 women are working in the trades
and professions; married women can
own property, and in 13 states married
women are equal guardians of their
children with the father.
The mental competence of women is
now recognized in all phases of social
responsibility except that of the fran
chise.
The time has come to change the
political status of women and to make
it accord with the facts.
Women vote on equal terms with men
in Norway Australia, New Zealand,
Finland, Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Wyom-
ing, Washington, California, Arizona,
Kansas, Oregon and Alaska.
Women vote in municipal elections In
England, Scotland, Denmark, ireland,
Sweden and Kansas.
How long viii Alabama tolerate the
low political position of its women
now that other states and countries
are raising them to the dignity of full
citizenship?
IF you would know the political and
moral status of a people, demand what
place its women occupy"
Eminent opinions on woman suffrage
are presented on another of the printed
slips. They comprise variety of person
alities. For example:
Abraham Lincoln-I go for all sharing
the privileges of the government who
assist in bearing it's burdens, by no means
excluding women
Jane Addams-If woman would fulfill
her traditional responsibility to her own
children; If she would educate and pro-
tect from danger factory children who
must find their recreation on the street;
II she would bring the cultural forces
to bear upon our materialistic civiliza-
tion, and If she would do 1t all with
the dignity and directness fitting one who
carries on her immemorial duties, then
she must bring herself to the use of
the ballot--that latest implement for self
government. May we not fairly say that
the American women need this implement
in order to preserve the home?
John Mitchell, Ex-President United Mine
Workers of America-I'm in perfect har-
money with the declaration of the Amer
ican Federation of Labor, which has in
dorsed the demand that women be given
the. right to vote. It's a sure thing that
any adult who is amenable to the laws
of the country should have voice in
the making of those laws. under which
he or she is governed.
Frances e. Willard-If prayer and wom-
anly influence are doing SO much for
God by indirect methods, how shall 1t
be when that electric force Is brought
to bear through the battery Of the bal
lot box?
Mrs. Mary Kenney O'Sullivan, Vice
President Women's National Trade Union
League-When women organize and vote,
they will get equal pay for equal .yverk
Rabbi Stephen s. Wise, New York City
A certain minister says women ought
not to vote, because suffrage is not a
natural, but derived right. So is the
right of children to a common school
education. So is our right to sanitary
and police protection. 1t Is not natural