The Washington herald., 1914-06-14
SAYS SUFFRAGE
HAMPERS UPLFT
Mrs. ]. W. Stoddard Fears
Politics Will Hurt Wom- :
ems Federation.
WELFARE WORK BALKED
District Anti Asks Some Pertinent
Questions Regarding the Con-
venton at Chicago.
BY MRs. JOSEPH NJ. sTopDARD,

ny Mrs. JOSEfh N. sIobDfHDs
Member of the District of Columbia As
sociation Opposed TO Woman Suffrage.
Thirty thousand woman are reported by
the press as being In Chicago this week
attending the convention of Federation
of women's Clubs. One thousand seven
hundred and sixteen are entitled as dele
gates to a vote upon the various meas
ures which will be brought to its atten-
ton. This wonderful representation of a
splendid worldwide enterprise for the
good of humanity is being seriously ham
pered and perplexed by the dicscussion OF
political suffrage Of women within its
ranks. 1t is a striking Illustration of
welfare work being injured and retarded
by party politics.
No doubt the suffragists are trying 20
enforce the following pledge of will and
WON'T Of the Women's Political Union.
Il hereby promise: Ffrst-I will give
what can and do my share Of the work
to gain votes for women; second. L will
not give either money or services to
any other cause until the women Of New
York State are enfranchised. Or per-
haps this one of the National Woman's
Suffrage Association: Until women are
enfranchised efforts to ameliorate social
conditions can be at best but crippled
therefore I have decided to give such
time and money as i can spare to those
causes only that will bring about the
political freedom of women"
End Justi6e. the Means.
How can the suffragists from any State
where women have not yet been en-
franchised and who are members of
either of these two institutions, in jus
tice to themselves as consistent fair
minded women, attend a confederation
of women's clubs whose main reason for
being is social uplift and welfare work?
The whole idea of these pledges Is 20
cripple philanthropy and not to extend
it, but the great game of politics is in
the balance and the end justifies the
means
Miss Jane Adams in her address on
June IL said: Without the franchise
woman is shut out of the game-the great
game played the world over by states
men who at this moment are attempt
ing to translate social sympathy into
political activity What is a greater
example of this condemnation or state
ment by Miss Addams than the present
situation of the suffragists and their at
titude toward the convention? Politics,
biting politics. bitter strife, keen party
feeling for the one and only thing para
mount to all others in the suffragist's
mind: we scan the papers for the work |
done by the convention, the topics dis /
cussed and the resolutions suggested for |
civic betterment and community welfare, |
but We find headings such as these: Club /
Women in Political Maze; Suffragists /
May Quit Federation: Suffragists Sure of
Federation Vote: Suffragists in the Lead;
The Announcement of Carrie Chapman
Catts Address on Suffrage and Jane
Adams Speech for Suffrage. etc, until
one wonders whether il is a convention of |
political turmoil on votes for women or a |
convention of human effort and earnest !
desire to correct the existing sicial evils |
in our country.
Defense of Mrs. Pennybaker.
Mrs. Pennybaker, the president. occupy !
ing a position which her intelligence. |
broad-mindedness, executive ability and /
sane leadership have accorded her, states |
that the federation is no
place for a discussion of women suffrage |
and insted of abiding by her wisdom
and foresight. the suffragists immedi-
ately planned to place an opposing candi-
date for presidency in the field, one fav-
oring their policy, in order to gain their
point. Is, this recognizing the best man
for the place and giving credit where 1t
is due, or is il playing party politics, l.
favoritism, patronage, and partisanship
of the smallest nature? The inconsistent
working of the suffrage mind is so appar-
ent that it is past the normal and reason
able in argument.
They clamor for an eight-hour law for
women, needing no such desire in regard
for the men. They continually ask for
particular and special legislation for
women and accept all that man will give
in this respect and then spurn and scoff
at any idea that dIfferentiates them as to
physical endurance and mental strata II
II votes for women was consistent,
reasonable, and desirable effort it would
not take the time or the means already
employed TO urge people in general to
adopt it.
The whole privilege of voting stands
upon the duties which IL involves 1t i
Is give and take like everything else
in the world Compensation is the law !
which strikes the balance and maintains
a true and necessary normaiity In all i
events. For the privilege of citizenship !
certain duties are necessarily required.
The whole governmental procedure of
voting rests upon three specific duties,
military service. posse comitatus service,
and jury service, all three of which the
average woman is totally untitled for.
She cannot go to war and fight battles,
therefore, there is no reason why she
should be permitted to vote for a declara-l
ion of war. She cannot help suppress a
lot or arrest an outlaw, so why should !
she make law under which men are re-
luired to undertake such dangerous SER
'ice? 1t is true. her health and strength
nay permit her to do jury service but
What man would be willing to send his
mother, wife, sister, or daughter upon q
ury-case and have her locked up with g
number of strange men for hours, or
'erhaps over night discussing pro and
on a case in which testimony might be S
# the most distastefuI nature to a wom-
IN of refinement and feminine sensitive !
less7 q
If woman cannot perform these serv- /
ces which are the fundamental preroga-
ives of natural citizenship, would 1t not {
'e giving her rights superior to a man If {
he is permitted to make the laws under c
which men must perform these services
While she is exempt from them? Is it c
or fair to place womanhood on @
rial before the government and sentence b
er for life to a servitude which only a I
nature can endure and which
vas intended only for him in its initial
reation? There will always be women
Tho will refuse to cast of their femin-
nifty. There viii always be the domestic 6
Ioman for which we are thankful. Woni- y
n who go out into the tenements, the y
lleys. the hospitals, the asylums In their 9
'elfare work and who will return to !.
heir homes with a deeper incentive to !,
reserve them from destruction and to =
ement their unity.
No Love for Political Women.
But will this be true of the POLITICAL
'oman? No weary faces loolcsto her for
elp and comfort. appealing to her SYM