The Washington herald., 1914-10-25
Mrs. Ida Hustled Harper Re-
views Famous Campaigns
in Which Women Have
Won the Vote.
By IDA HUsTED HARPER.


Whatever Of prosperity or adversely
the coming election may bring TO the
country, women will be as vitality affected
by II as men. II happens, however that
this election Is of more special impor-
tance to women than any which ever has
preceded Il, for on November 5, seven
States viii determine whether their wom-
en- shall be enfranchised this year or not
until some other year-Nevada- MONTANA
North and South Dakota. Nebraska,
Missouri and Ohio. The suffragists used
to be greatly encouraged IL once in a num-
Der OF years they could secure in one
State the submission OF a Constitutional
Amendment II usually led to defeat by
one means or another but they felt that
an educational work had been done and
the cause" had been moved forward a
notch. Two years ago they were almost
staggered by having f19e campaigns on
hand-Oregon, Arizona, Kansas, WIS
consin and Omo-and this year they have
1elt nearly overwhelmed with he re-
sponsibilIty OF seven.
In 1872 they expected 10 lose Ohio and
wisconsin, as they did; they dared hope
to carry Kansas, Arizona and Oregon
and their hopes were fulfilled. Expe-
rienced campaigners are making no
prophecies as to the returns that will be
announced within the next ten days
they are simply doing the best they can
with the means at their disposal. know
ing that no other reform measure could
possibly be carried with 50 little money
and with all those most deeply concern
Cd unable to cast q vote in its favor.
A brief resume may enable those who
have not kept in close touch with the
situation to understand better the re-
suits Of the election. The so-called "suf-
fraEe map" with the States where wom-
aRE
where they vote on exactly the same
terms as men left white, shows more
than one-fourth OF the United States
all the western part-whfte except one
very black spot-Nevada. Every point
of its border touches a white State-ore-
gon' and Idaho on the north, Utah on
the east. California and Arizona on the
west and south. Nevada women have
used as their campaign slogan, not quite
the Macbethian cry. "Out damned spot.
but The black spot must come out
They say that this map alone has been
worth all the arguments they could
make to the voters, whom they nave
urged to lift the women OF the State
out Of the darkness.
Defeat Aims of Men.
Suffrage has been extended to women
thus far in States where men predomi-
nate and in Nevada there are almost $50
males to 100 females, so II might DC
thought that the men would not hesi-
tate to make their State white" There
has been, however, a tremendous pres
sure from the liquor interests, gamblers,
and corrupt politicians to defeat the
amendment. They have spared no money
to send their agents to the farmers and
cowboys on distant ranches; TO the men
in the mining camps in the heart Of the
mountains and those working out in the
desert on railroads. bridges, etc, to as
sure them that il women should win the
suffrage they would never be able TO
get another glass Of beer or play a
game for stakes 1t has been almost i'm
possible for the women to reach these
men, but they have done it in many
places by heroic effort and have been
cordially received. The labor organiZa-
tions, churches, teachers, State Fedora
ton of women's Clubs, and all organiza-
tions Of women have declared in favor;
and 50 per cent of the women IN num-
Der Of counties have signed petitions for
the suffrage. The two legislatures
through which an amendment resolution
must pass, voted for it by large majori-
ties. whether this will be ratified by the
electors; whether the ballots viii be
honestly counted, will be determined on
November 8.
A similar situation exists in Montana