The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1914-08-13
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Woman's Suffrage Column.
BY Mrs. Van Fleet, Secretary.

. WOman's Suffrage Column.
; By Mrs. Van Fleet, Secretary. >
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Right Is Might.
One of the most persistent argu-
ments against woman suffrage is that
if women had the vote, they wouldn't
avail themselves Of its privileges
that the good women would stay away
from the polls and that the slum wo-
men who voted at all, would be in
fuenced by ward politicians to vote for
undesirable candidates and for bad
legislation.
1t is not fair to presume that this
would be the case, in fact, experience
so far proves just to the contrary. In
states where the franchise has al
ready been granted to women, they
had to work hard to obtain it and the
returns show that they are not indif-
ferent to their opportunity and are
active in matters political. Women
have never, except in desultory way,
paid much attention to politics for the
simple reason that they have no voice,
and consequently only a passing in
terest in the making of laws by which
they as we'll as the men are governed.
They have never seemed to realize that
the tremendous power they possess and
which is now dormant needs only a
vigorous and concerted demand to
make it potential. The power is now
being felt in six Of these United States
where women vote. 1t is also being
felt in other countries where women
have an equal say with men as to what
legislation is good and what isn't, and
whether candidate is fit or unfit for
public Office.
The contention that women, on ac-
count of home duties, will not give
careful thought to political questions
or go to the polls to cast her ballot,
will not hold. Women will do a great
deal of thinking and will be absolute
ly certain to reach the ballot box
when she realizes that she can be in
strumental in safeguarding her hus-
band, her son or her daughter from
some of the many corrupt influences
and pitfalls by which, under the exist
ing order of things, they are surround
ed, not so much because of bad laws
as through the non-enforcement of
those that are good.
The world is moving pretty fast
these days, and it will not be long I'M
til woman will have educated herself
sufficiently in politics to know how to
handle almost any problem that comes
up, and woe to the measure and woe
to the man if either fall short of the
moral standard that will be set.
The foundation of any government
=. IL. 4L1+ ~ fro,,, ma
home, and the foundation Of the home
is built and held together by the UNI
ceasing devotion of the mother to all
things that are good-clean minds,
clean bodies and pure motives. The
father may be so engrossed in bust
ness affairs that he gives little thought
to the higher ideals, but the mother is
always thinking, always planning to
the end that her children may grow
up to be good and useful citizens and
as to how she herself may be a strong
influence in guiding them Alright until
they are old enough to think and act
wisely for themselves. Why then,
should she be deprived of at least an
equal voice with the men in the max
ing of the laws of the land in which
her children are, to become citizens !?
IF she is to be held responsible for
their moral conduct and their social
environments while they are young,
why should she be utterly helpless in
protecting them against greater dan
gers latcr-dangers that exist bet
cause men, for political ambition and
for personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, fail to
perform their sworn duty to enforce
the laws?
When the laws of a country are so
framed and SO administered that they
make for conditions that are in har-
mony wit hwoman's ideals of justice
and morality, then they do not need
further surveillance, but if they are
not so made and not so administered,
it is woman's duty to demand her
right to see that they are. .
Do YOU imagine that women will
sell their votes for money or drink, or
for insincere promises from ward
heelers? DO you think they will stay
away from the polls when there is an
issue pending that threatens the hap
piness of their households !? Do you
think they will refuse to investigate or
refuse to act in any political crisis and
do you think their husbands will vote
against their Judgment on political is
sues? Never. The woman, nine times
out of ten will vote, and vote for what
is right, and another nine times out of
ten She will influence her husband and
her sons to vote as she does. What
then, when that time comes, will be-
come of the professional politician?
What then will become Of the Office
holder who has been recreant to his
trust? The answer is plain, and the
time is not far off. It is, as a matter
Of fact, only question Of time Wo-
man has at last awakened from her
long sleep. She is on the threshold Of
mighty opportunity, and a mighty
responsibility, and is not only willing
but anxious to undertake the work
that will revolutionize the world, and
make il a better world in which to