The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-06-27

North Dakota Is especially close to
Norway this week. With the present.
alton Of the Lincoln statue by Gov.
Hanna and his staff representing the
state, the hundreds Of Norwegians
who are again visiting the land Of
their birth, Norway will know much Of
North Dakota which is the adopted
home Of many Of its loyal sons. 1t
seems fitting that the work Of the wo-
men of Norway should be better
known in this state where so many
Norwegian women are working for the
same rights they formerly enjoyed
in their old country.
But did you know that Norway Is
the first wholly free and independent
nation in the world to give full suf-
frage to its women? Why, you say,
should the cool-headed N~orwegians
take such a radical step? Well, in the
first place, they don't consider it radi-
cal. In fact, they went about the
thing with the greatest caution and
elaboration.
In 1901 the municipal franchise was
granted to taxpaying women; in 1907
the full franchise was granted to TAX
paying women; in 1910 the munich
| pal franchise was extended to all wo-
men; and in 1913 the full parliament
airy franchise was extended to all wo-
men.
Inch by inch you see Norwegian
men entrusted power to their women.
failure Of their municipal suf-
frage, the parliamentary suffrage
would not have been given
them so quickly n willingly. If
the taxpayfng women had not demon
| strated their patriotism and common
sense the rest of the women would
not have been enfranchised. In other
words, Norway tried a little suffrage
and liked it. 30 she kept increasing
the amount.
In June 1918, when the last extern
sion was made, nc one dared to say
woman suffrage will destroy our
homes" or 1.-THE women don't want the
vote" or Women do not know enough
to vote" The contrary had already
been proved,
Norway's logic is similar to that of
the western states Of the United
States. Every state which has votes
for women Is a neighbor Of an equal
suffrage state. Would any Of these
states have adopted equal suffrage If
1t had been a. failure just across the
border? Surely not Nevada (where a
suffrage amendment will be voted Of
in November) is completely surround
ed with suffrage states. And the peo-
pie of those suffrage states are urg-
ing the men Of Nevada to vote for
woman suffrage . Montana, Nebraska
and South Dakota border or equal suf-
frage states and they also will vote on
suffrage amendments this fall. The
anti suffrage bogies are not making
much impression in n of these
states, one hears. They sound too ri
diculous in the face Of experience.
But, to return to Norway which
leads the world in the progressive
treatment Of its women. Ids interest
ing to learn that by being progressive
she has apparently solved the woman
prob!rm' which is troubling the res
of the world.
That Norway has taken t~tsegrow1nt
, democracy calmly is proved by thu
following article translated from tn
Paris Figaro:
Mrs. GUIDE, wife Of the Ministe
, from Norway to the United States
, gave out an interview to a correspond
: ent of the Philadelphia Record, il
: which she said: In Norway we boas
: of having the most democratic consti
= tuition in the world, and we have lon
Il De6n advocates OIL the Simple nISs Ou
King and Queen mingle with absolute
freedom with the people, and the Sc
gregation Of classes is unknown
= Practically we have no social unrest
= and even the women's problem n
longer vexes, since, two years ago, tn
parliamentary suffrage was conferre'
on ONE Municipal suffrage ha'
> been granted in 1901. 1t was fount
that the experiment was eminentl'
successful and that good resulte
from giving ONE the right to vot
on all that concerned the welfare o
:. their cities and townships. When thi
was clearly demonstrated, the parl1a
J. ment suffrage was bestowed In 1907
!, The women have set to work yer
. earnestly to understand their civic OBJ
legations and to perform that highes
duty in a manner which will result
!, for good to themselves and to thei
: homes. An impetus has been given t
: many projects which look to tmprov
ing conditions, especially in the rura
districts. In Norway, at least, wome
have proved that to possess the bal