The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1914-05-07

Illinois women cast their debutante
vote in huge numbers at the elections
last week, and the State is still feel
ing the shock of the great moral
force. Analysis of their vote shows the
, following facts:
In Chicago 162,961 women (police
returns) went to the polls. In seven
wards they decided the results Of the
aldermanic contest, in every case in a
way gratifying to the Municipal Vot-
ers' League and disappointing to the
corrupt element. More than three
times as many women voted as in the
primaries, and about rs per cent. of
those registered (217,6l4) went to the
polls. :, Their presence made an cleo
ton peaceful that was expected to be
turbulent.
Throughout Illinois the women's
vote was largely responsible for the
closing of 1899 saloons. Twenty-Five
counties were voted dry in addition to
those that had been so before; 121
townships comprising 1913 cities and
villages changed from wet to dry; SO
remained dry, one dry township went
wet and IA wet townships remained
wet. At least 80 women were chosen
| to offices.
Although none Of the women candi-
dates for the Chicago council were
elected, Miss Marian Drake made the
best showing against the notorious
first ward machine of any candidate
for many years.
Gov. Lister of Washington lately
wrote to Mr.. H. B. Seigel of Boston,
in answer to a question about equal
suffrage:
"The women of this state have en-
joyed full suffrage now for about three
years. l know of no one who was in
favor Of granting this right who today
opposes it; and large numbers of those
who were opposed to the constitution
al amendment granting equal suffrage
are now in favor of it. The results in
the state of Washington have certain
ly indicated that the women Of the
state assist, rather than otherwise, in
public affairs, by having the right to
vote"
Has Improved Conditions.
Gov. Ammons of Colorado wrote to
the same inquirer:
81 have tried to give particular at
tention to the practical operation Of
woman suffrage in Colorado since it's
establishment here. l believe it has
improved political conditions, and that
no considerable number of people in
this state would vote to repeal the
law :,
Are Quiet But Effective.
Acting Governor Houx of Wyoming
wrote: ..s'.. t.
eve have had woman suffrage IN
Wyoming for about As years, and II
believe the influence has been for good.
l have found that, whenever women
have become interested In the accom-
plishment Of purpose, they have had
influence enough to carry out that pure
pose. OF course, there are bad Wo-
men and unprincipled women, but they
are few in number and have never
known women to use the elective fran
chise to defeat any good object or to
defeat the election of a man or woman
who was really worthy OF their suf-
frage They have taken a great deal
Of interest in elections, as rule IN Q
quiet way, but none the less effective.
Has Elevated Elections.
81 have no hesitation in saying that
suffrage has in no way degraded
women, but it has rather elevated the
people, certainly in the conduct of
elections, Us well as in the conduct Of
the canvasses usually made by those
in pursuit Of office, before elections.
Opens Doors of Employment.
"Women suffrage has opened the
doors for women to obtain employ
ment In places formerly closed to
them. They have held important Of