The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1914-10-22
LIQUOR FIGHT TO
0BsCUREsUFFRAGE.
Brewers Filed Amendment
Only to Evade Question :
Of Political Equality.
President Of Ohio Suifrsgists
Explains Position Of Org.
anizati0n to Other
Questions.

The desire, Of the brewers to defeat
equal suffrage was the sole reason
why Ohio has statewide wet and dry
fight on its hands this year. Had not
the women of the, state initiated their
measure for political. equality, neither
the brewers nor the Anti-Saloon
League would have initiated the con-
Gtitnt4onal' amendments. which they
are respectively supporting.
This much misunderstood feature
OF the present campaign is explained
by Harriet Taylor UptnR, president Of
the Ohio Woman SuGnge AsseCa-
ton.
I'm the fyst place" she Says 'Sqt
me explain that the suffrage associa-
ton, ia, not,a temperance organization.
1t has no connection whatever with
the AnttSalOon League. It has. Just
one article Of faith, and that ID to per-
mlt women to- enjoy. their long with
held political rights. This, is OF i'm
mensely more fundamental importance
than any mare, question Of policy.
When women vote they will he free
to take. sides ON the liquor question:
Many ofgthem doubtless will vote dry.
Many others will vote wet. A major
ity Ofthemt want the ballot for reasons
entirely apart from the liquor Ques-
tion. It is a matter Of selfrssDect to
cease to be- classed with idiots, crim-
tnals and children.
Wasted causs. Fairly Weighed.
"AM that we, have, ever sought has
been q. fair consideration Of our rights
as human beings. Apparently this
has been the one thing that our adver-
saries were not willing we, should
have. If they could help it. They per-
sistently- try to put US In the position
of seeking the ballot for some ulte-
rior motive-as though one should in
Quire. into the motives of an alien
who asked to be naturalized.
when I speak Of our adversaries,
I mean the brewers. for they have far
nished the money the workers and
the political pull that has been ar
rayed- against US. The s0-called anti
suffragists in Ohio do not count, ex,
cept as a very thin mask for the
brewers campaign.
"This fight has been of their seek.
ing, not ours. Evidently they have
something on their consciences which
makes them fear political power in
the hands of women. Just why this
should be, cannot prove from past
suffrage experience.
I'VE hoped for a clear field this
year to test sentiment on political
equality. There seemed a fair chance
to avoid wet and dry fight. for the
| state had a new license law which was
supposed to please the vets and even
the drys were expected to await test
| Of its workings before launching an
attack. We are assured by persons
In touch with both the wet and dry
organisations that this was the situa-
tion until it became apparent that the
women would have signatures enough
to initiate a suffrage amendment.
Sought to Round Up Vote.
1.-The brewers then saw that If they
were to defeat suffrage they must
take some steps to have their own
contingent at the polls and to infiame
them with the belief that their per
sOnal liberty was sassailed. To do this.
it was necessary to initiate some kind
| of a proposal. The so-called hOme
rule amendment was hastily, drawn up
and petitions put into circulation.
"The brewers shrewdly, calculated
for just the result that followed. The
temperance people did not not feel
that they could remain dormant gwhs1
q measure was proposed repeating the
Rose law and they weEes Syeepss Il
fighting on the defensive. The onlJ
thing left for them was to, initiateas &
proposal of their own and they Do
cided ON very short notice to under
take a statewide prohibitinn anead
ment.
Older Than Saloons onssslsa.
"In answer to those, who say thai
suffrage is a mere aid to sthsaprOhfbi
tion movement, l! would point Out, that
women have been clamOring fer tlaeiI
rights in Ohio for more than 60 years
while there has been no Organixedianti
saloon movement until the last d
years. The priority in seeking slen
ers to petitions this year b. alto ssig
nificant. We started our nghte b
March. The brewers did net stagI
their canvass until nearly July s1sanG
the anti-saloon forces moved last o.
all. Had we remained dormant. l an
satisfied that neither Of TIE other fac
tiOns would have done anything.
81 suppose it,is tao' much to- expeei
that We can. get fair aad sepaFat.
consideration Of the suffrage question
without someone trying to throw dus
in the eyes of the, v0ter--0r perhan.
should saxs ,hlOW- tsGm 10 The seael
Of the voter. But am satisfed tha
voters will understand the ruse Of on
opponents and, refuse to ignore u.
main iqznA which u that gogerRmaH
derives its Just powers frOm the CO..