The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-03


light of publicity which the anti-suf-
fragists would fain perpetuate, to the
great amusement and ridlcule OF the
suffraglsts
That this Indirect sway Of women over
men must be lost or at least greatly
diminished by division has already been
illustrated by the failure OF the Con-
Rressional Union before Congress while
divided in opinion and by the failure of
women to elect their candidates In Chi
cago and California. Rather than de-
pend upon the politically divided vote Of
women, say the ants, they would carry
many measures II united. as Is shown
in the teachers success. The anti-suf-
fragists are content to leave to the
sons Of tfDse who, as this eloquent ad-
vocate has shown. have overcome oppo-
sition to women's advancement In the
past all future defence Of women's
rights or privileges.
The betterment Of the position Of
women has come about not through dis
content OF women, but as an evolution
OF saner Views Of life with the growth
OF general intelligence. There was a
time. for Instance, when women were
hanged for shoplifting in England.
THAT terrible period has passed" too,
but history does not record how much
women's discomfort has contributed to
the abolition Of this legal monstrosity
any more than II has shown outside Of
this authors bare assertion what. " any,
thing. women have really done to re-
move other iniQultous legislation.
Thus far this learned author has not
replied to her own ironical query. why
should not women voter" On the con-
trary. she has recited the best reasons
why the vote Is unnecessary for the pro-
motion Of woman's veal.
We now come to the only real answer
ELECTED by this advocates query. "why
shouldn't women vote?' While there
are others more or less logical, there is
one at least that Ii brought forward
unwittingly by herself
The anti-suffragists have always re-
garded the upturning of the home. which
in the last analysis IL the basis of social
happiness and satisfaction. as the most
, serious menace from suffrage And the
sunraSists have treated this fear with
scorn and rldicule-because they were
ignorant of the facts?
This advocate treats the subject with
more earnestness and courtesy than her
clients have done. For this reason alone
! IL would have been more agreeable io
! pass II over without criticism. But we
are compelled to discuss il because il is
/ the only real subject brought forward
! for serious discussion.
"Those people" says the author, "who
are constitutiona.ly opposed TO suffrage
! urge that 1t will increase diyorce-,he
suffragists. however. believe that when
( women vote divorce will decrease"
IL she had stopped at this point and
had contented herself with a prediction
as all other suffragist logicians do. the
, data would have been debAtable. bu,
unfortunately for her argument she
continues: They 1.-THE suffragistsl fee
that the diyorc, records in the
suffrage States ALREADY disprove such
| fears" 1t ia TO be regretted tina, ,be
statistics in suppor, of this last state.
ment are borrowed from a mos, unre.
liable source--an article in tho March
number OF the Century magazine ny
George Creel.
This celebrated writer's ad captanduu
arguments may convince earnest suf-
: fragists like this author. hu, his logic
! and his figures do not bear the search.
light. The lady quotes with triumphan nj
approval his Challenge to any one" 10,
proof of "a single divorce arising from
anything connected with tho vote.
This ounce OF experiment is worth a
ton of theory" TO disprove Mr.. Helm,
fear that domestic tranquility will b.
no more II woman's suffrage comes
A logical mind would reason that ira n.
quillity" Is not divorce"
No one claims that political difrerenc,
though 1t may disturb domestic tran.
guilty. will cause divorce.
The virtuous State Of Wyoming dur
ing Is twenty years Is cited also a
proof but II has fallen from grace. foi
II IL rated now as the second hlghes
divorce state in the four Oldest suffrage
states referred 10 ny the lady advocate
Inc latter quotes the following hGure'
on'S ,oiolauo mas 100, iuaho ~
CIV o''es =" every ao'VVo 'hnao''an's'
'ne INNS '"e "sures LOT WSo
" '''"V ''u"i' Vi IN
census '"o"s '"ei'i W ne lle' why
us u,i''Vu uesp'te III
80. -, 80
Va oe " s'N !" n' iaNol owe
nsuleS ~
90 "''' o'','''''' i" t"eir sue"
."'' .'S'"'ouS ""No'"'e "r'tes' TIA