The Washington herald., 1914-10-25

South Dakota has 17s.1ss men of voting
age and 1s4.17s women. It covers 7s.So
square miles. ranches. cattle ranges,
deserts, the mines in the Black Hills
all these the workers for suffrage have
had to canvass. Will they secure enough
votes SO that they will not have to be-
gin over again the day after eleetion7
The rapid development OF the move
menI in Nebraska has been one OF the
surprises CT the past year. Since an
amendment was overwhelmingly defeated
In 1852 the women have continued stead
fly at work. as early as 1ssS presenting
petition OF L, 900 names to the legislature,
Although there has long been an un-
doubted public sentiment in favor that
body has steadfastly refused to submit
the question to the voters and the women
could see no hope until IN 1911 an
initiative and referendum amendment
was adopted. 1t makes the task more
difficult. perhaps, than in any other State
to secure petitions, but the women over
came the obstacles and secures many
more than the required number. The
action OF Kansas on the southern border
enfranchising its women by majority
Of mere than 5000, gave great impetus
10 Nebraska. Whether the influences
radiating from Omaha and the eastern
part of the State can nuIlify the senti-
ment expressed by practically all or
ganized bodies OF men and women In
the State, by the churches and by the
enthusiastic public meetings remains tc
he demonstrated. Here as in all the
"campaign'' States a surprisingly large
number Of men prominent In political life
have heartily endorsed the amendment.
and the announcement of Secretary OF
State william ]. Bryan that he is un-
(. ~ 9fTffra %
will doubtless have great influence on
the voters,
Four years ago Missouri had no Stat
Suffrage Association and was practically
unorganized. and yet two years age
when the women woke up and asked tho
legislature to let them take the question
to the voters, both houses gave sub
stantial majorities In favor. Overnight
they heard from the powers in st. LouiI
and as Quickly as possible they re
considered their favorable resolution anC
defeated II. Soon afterwards the suffra
gists found their refuge in the initiative
and referendum law and by the pa
tIent, persevering efforts OF unpaid WON
en- Of all ages, classes and occupations
going forth in all kinds OF weather. thi
necessary thousands OF petitions were Sc
Since then they have worked unceas'
Ingly. The endorsement Of the Hon
Champ Clark. Speaker of the nationa
House Of Representatives., has giveI
much prestige to their cause, and emf
nent political leaders. including the may
or of st. Louis, have spoken in theil
favor. Many organizations, among then
the State Federation Of Labor, have
promised support Nevertheless, IL Mis-
souri,, which a few years ago gave Z
majority OF 10000 against prohibition
should give one in favor Of woman suf
frage, the belief that the day of mira
cles had passed would have TO be REVISED
The entire space allotted to this article
would be wholly insufficient to describe
the campaign in Ohio. probably the most
extensive and thorough ever made. After
the defeat Of the suffrage clause in-thC
new constitution in 1912. the women, real
izing the futiIity Of appealing to q ma.
chine" controlled legislature, turned Il
the initiative and referendum method
This required 10000 names from at leas
half the counties in the State They pre-,
sented 1s1, 800 from every county, which
the Secretary Of State declined to re
celve in person. 1t was entirely labor o
love, the total expense being only S13S
The Progressive. Socialist, and Prohibi
ton parties have indorsed the amend
ment; the Republican and Democratic
parties have refused to do so, largely be
cause Of the prohibition question, which
is the dominating issue of the fall cam
paign. OEher organizations representing
hundreds OF thousands have declared in
favor. In Cleveland 5000 women walked in
the parade. In 1872 Ohio gave about a
quarter OF a million votes for woman
suffrage, the largest number ever record.
ed. If the State could be carried in 1914
it would practically settle the question in
the United States.