The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-05-01
|OEBAIE DECIDED
IN MEMS FAVOR
Judges Had Their Verdict Prepared
Before Any Arguments Had
Been Delivered by the
Speakers.
VOTES FOR WOMEN
Amusing Entertainment at v. w. O..
a. Auditorium Was Enjoyed by
Record Breaking
Attendance.
'orEs FOR WOMEN

! Women should have equal suffrage
with men. This was fully decided last
evening at the debate given at the
=. w. G. A., which was h sard by an
auditorium full OF people who left
satisfied that the Judges had made
the proper decision in declaring that
the debate had been won by the az
firmative side.
The Y. w. c. A. had arranged an
entertainment for Husbands Night
which consisted Of the debate, several
other numbers on delightful pro-
gram and the serving OF refresh
ments. When the program commenced
shortly after s o'clock, every seat IN
the spacious auditorium was taken
and many were compelled to stand in
ths hall by the door.
John P. Hornish acted as chairman
OF the evening and the first number
was selection by quartette of
young men. Then followed violin
solo by Mrs. O. B. Towne, with Mrs.
Ralph Joy as accompanist and read
ing by Mrs. John Elgin. These num-
beers were all favorably received by
the audience.
The great debate was then an
nounced and the chairman, armed
with croquet mallet and an alarm
clock, started the ball rolling for the
fun Of the evening. Three gentlemen
argued for woman suffrage and three
won en- argued against It. At the
close OF the arguments. the judges
announced that they had formed their
decision two weeks ago and did not
intend to change It.
O. B. Towne was the FIRST speaker
and he said that the question was
not humorous one. It was trag-
edy. He said that the woman was
the boss and should have the ballot
If she wanted It.
Mrs. Leonard Matless was the nrst
speaker for the negative side. She
said the women should guard them
selves against the hysterical outbursts
of the suffragettes; that well enough
should be let alone and that WON
ans suffrage was just around the cor
ner from the fall OF woman from her
throne as queen. The campaign
for suffrage was an unholy war. Just
as she had reachs ed her main argu-
ments, time was called by the chair
man who would not permit anyone to
speak over six minutes.
4
Arm In Sling.
Prof. Patterson entered with his
arm In sling and said that he was
a recent convert. Hs had it all fig
ured out to the millions of horse pow
err of energy women are wasting try
Ing to get the ballot. which might be
saved If they we're given thu vote.
Mrs. Harry J. Reeves argued that
have said the woman's
brain IS smaller and lighter than the
mans, therefore woman Is not mem
tally capabls Of handling the ballot.
One woman spoiled her ballot at the
recent school bond election. which
was another argument that they did !
not need 1t. The leaders OF the cam
paign for equal suffrage were not
model women, was another Of her
arguments.
Postmaster p. p. McNfanus claimed
hat the other men speakers had been
,oerced into speaking as they did and |
hat he was therefore the only simon /
pure advocate Of the great burning
cause. Just as he got warmed up to
lis speech, the chairman choked him
off by calling tins up
Mrs. c. F. Mcfarland entered upon
he stays, carrying baby and lead
ng seven small children, which she
Iaid were her strongest arguments
.gainst woman suffrage. She said the
was Just another scheme
o make the women do all the work
md that instead Of attempting to
weep the country for their cause,
he women should begin sweeping at
tome.
The judges, Edward F. Carter. Rev.
L. Lilley and Henry w. Huiskamp
Tere then told to retire and bring
ack their verdict within an hour and
half. They announced that they
ad written their decision two weeks
go and the same was read, declaring
he debate had been won by the three
len. The following extracts from
ne decision are published to show
he wisdom displayed.
Exteaets from Verdict.
Knowing full well that a woman's
as had, has not now, and never will
ave, the ghost of a show in an argu-
lent with woman, we. your intelligent