The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-03-30
WOMEN IN POLITICS.

WOMEN IN POLE1ICS.
A most sensible discussion of the
role that women will play. or should
play. In politics in Kansas. and wher-
ever else they have been given their
rights in the matter Of suffrage. comes
from Mrs. Tom Thompson. who assists
&c materially In making the Howard
Courant one Of the most interesting OF
the many excellent weekly newspaper
in this state. 1t follows:
$50 far ~ the writer has been able
to observe. the newspapers Of Kansas
have been uniformly kind ana court
eous in the matter OF comment on
the subject OF the lately enfranehised
women announcing themselves for Of
flee. especially those offices OF state.
or Of national importance.
This courtesy should neither be
misunderstood nor. tAkep advantage
of. 1t 10 unlikely that their approval,
at this time. could be in accordance
with the better judgment, or the sense
Of propriety of these newspaper men
in most INSTANCES. Therefore, the for
hearance shown is the more to be
valued.
1T Is far from the intention, or de-
sire. of this department to undervalue
Or belittle in any sense the ability or
intelligence Of women to serve in any
capacity the purposes Of citizenship.
eventually. But to make the claim
that the majority of women, at this
carly date, correspond in fitness. and
qualifications with the majority of
men to fill these important posts IL
but to delude themselves. or any 9TH
ers. who are inclined to be easily led.
Or are not given to much reflection.
THE more thoughtful element Of
those demanding equal suffrage de-
sired little more than the privilege of
supporting righteous issues, laws and
attachments. and the right to protest
effectively against unrighteous ones.
coming into full and equal part only
as the need IL demonstrated. and their
special fitness evidenced.
'Rightminded women desire to as
sist.' not to play 1t alone much less
to take the affairs of government out
Of the hands Of men.
MANY instances are known Of wom-
en- who have shown fitness and ability
Cor the office Of superintendent of
schools. for registers Of deeds. for
clerks Of the court and. a few others.
perhaps. having served with credit.
But life, experience, education, up to
the present time, have prepared very
few II any. for such offices az those
OF governor, senator or congressman.
when these honors come, II they
are to be of any permanent value, they
should come by careful preparation.
observation. and education: things
which should appear as a natural con-
sequence Of receiving the ballot. No
great care is shown in preparing for
anything that is extremely likely new
er to occur; therefore, up to this time.
women have not had sufficient motive
to prepare themselves for high places
in the gift OF the state. And at pres
ent. that they are not qualified, with
respect to preparation. goes almost
without saying. Genuine eligibility
must be brought about by gradual,
steady growth; by.evolution.. not revo-
tuition.
Both the women and the country
are likely to be better off if women
dc not aspire to these things for an
other twenty-five years; but instead.
be satisfied with such promotion in
the public life Of the citizen as they
are able to earn and to justify