Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1913-10-24
oer,cIAI pAprp OF THE CITY.
WHY AM A sUFFRAGIsT

X
The following article was printed IN
the Reading Times, Pa. on Nednes-
day, October 3. Mrs. McCreery is u
former resident Of this city and is now
here after "A long speaking tour in the
east ard south.
"Why am suffragist, said Mrs.
McCreery to reporter Of 'fhe Times
Telegram Wednesd v. Principally
because am a woman, because / re-
alize chat am human being and owe
to the state and nation responsibility
because am an Integral part Of il.
We are very fond of quoting Abraham
Lincoln, who said, II am for all shar-
ing in the privileges of government
who share in its responsibilities, by no
means excluding women" 1t seems in
view of the many joys and privileges
of life, that the statement of Lincoln
might be revised, to express the senti-
ment of the suffrage movement today,
to read that way, am for all sharing
IN the responsibilities of governments
who share in its privileges, by no
means excluding women. recogni-
ton of this responsibility is growing
on women said Mrs. McCreery. "due
no doubt to the opportunities Of equal
education that women have enjoyed
for SO many years.
1t was to be expected that when
women studied political economy and
the science of government that they
would become interested and want to
help in salving the problems that arise
every day uDder democratic form of
government.
Then, too, You know every bit Of
legislation affects women just as it
does the men of our state. In view of
that, it seems only just that everyone
interested should have a voice in the
control of legislation. They should
not only have voice in the election OF
our lawmakers, but in the election of
the judges who construe the laws"
In answer to request for her views
on the militant movemant in England,
Mrs. McCreery said that she did not
feel in position to either commend or
criticize 1t. I'VE are to far awav to
really appreciate conditions and to be
IN position to judge, said Mrs. Me-
Creery." | can't see any possibility OF
the American women ever having to
adopt the militant method that some
of our English sisters seem to think Is
the only way to secure the ballot. The
American woman Is really very fortu-
nate when we contrast the legal status
of the English woman. and we are very
thankful for the broadness of mind Of
the American man, who will give us a
hearing and, when we convince him Of
our sincerity, grants our request with
out a struggle, as las the man of nine
OF our United States and the territory
of Alaska.
1T seems to me that rather than
holding the American suffragist re-
sponsible. too, for the militant move
ment that the voter would alwaysdraw
comparisons and praise the American
women for the sane and happy way in
which they are carrying on their cam
paign.n
When Mrs. McCreery says that the
American woman is fortunate she does
not mean her legal status is all that a
thinking woman might wish. IF
every woman in Pennsylvania would
read the pamphlet, The Legal Status
OF Women in Pennsylvania by Miss
Alice Paul, she would realize that for
her own protection she must have the
ballot, said Mrs. McCreery. eve do
not feel better though, as we might,
toward the yotors in this state because
we realize that they have had too much
TO do, to look after their affairs and
ours too, and it was only natural that
the voter should use his ballot TO pro-
teet his interests when question
arose"
While firmly believe that the state
will profit greatly by taking into con
sideration the Intelligence of women,
| also believe that the ones who win
profit most are the women themselves.
1t has been my experience that just u
study of conditions that make votes
for women. not only just but necessary
broadens the mind, lifts women ont Of
themselves, makes them forget trifies,
and interests them in the big problems
aud makes them better women-better
mothers"
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