Evening journal., 1915-10-06
TAFT WOULD VOTE NO
Ex-President Taft Gives His Views on
the Question Of Votes for Women
in the Saturday Evening
Post of Sept. II.

III lnt SATURDAY LfShhb
Post of Sept. II.
We think Mr.. Taft absolutely correct
his statement that suffrage is mott
IN inalienablc right; that the effect OF
,ranting women the suffrage is likely
= be disastrous; that it would be al
great injustice to force suffrage upon
.he majority of women against their
Ail; that it would be the undesirable
slement which would be sure to vote I'M
lur large cities; that the effect of SUI
rage on woman's economic and social
condition would be small; that inius-
ice To women in the Saws has been
lone away with without the ballot;
hat it women are ignorant slaves, as
he sufragists maintain. that it Is not
desirable TO enfranehise them; and that
voman's going into politics will cause
,cr to lose the consideration now given
cr.
We think Mr.. Taft mistaken in he
ie,ing woman suffrage bound to come,
Is during the last year it has been de-
'eatcd in twenty-four States, and Will
undoubtedly be defeated this fall in
Pennsylvania. New York, New Jersey
and Massachusetts We are much
yratifed with Mr.. Taft's definite state
ment that If he were voting in cam
,aign State this fall he would certainly
'ote NO lie says in part:
"To regard the privilege and duty OF
voting an inalenable right inseparable
from citizenship like the right to pro
;ection by the government at home or
broad. would lead to absurdity. On
such theory the suffrage should be
extended TO children and babes in arms.
"lhc question. then. whether women
shall he given the suffrage is to be ar
suod and determined on the issue
whether il would be better for the gov
crnmcnt for society and for the women
that they should vote. and not on any a
prior theory that it is their right
"Ihc effect Of woman suffrage upor
womcn's economic and social condition
will be comparatively small. because
women as class are not clearly dis
tinct from the members of the present
electorate in their political social an'
economic interests.
"No equal suffrage Western state hsi
laws more liberal 30 women than 1
number of the Eastern States wheri
whore they arc denied the ballot. In
deed in Massachusetts, there arc statu
tory provisions that limit men in thu
control of their earnings in the interes
of their wives.
"Thcrc are many respectable womel
of average intelligence whose interest
however. has not been reused. and wh'
would decline to make any sacrifice o
time or convenience TO perform thei
duty II given the franchise
"1hc women who actively oppose th
extension of the franchise are. many o
them. of the most intelligent class AM
their views would tend to keep then
from the polls II is a substantial res
son for delaying the coming of the bal
lot to women that more than half O
them now do not wish TO have it, but
class does not desire the responsibilit
md will not meet that responsibility b.
It's best average intelligence the reaso
fails.
"Thcre is large body of womei
probably a majority. who do not wis
10 vote and who arc opposed to rccei'
ing the franchise The vigor wit
which referendum TO women TO decid
The issue has been opposed by the lead
ing advocates of woman suffrage
Massachusetts and New York support
this conclusion. The undesirables, G.
pccially women in congcstcd city ceT
tcrs would be easily induced to vote
"fhc country is not going to suff'
by being deprived Of the votes {
women There is no great evil whiC
their being kept out OF the franchi'
continues. The dangers of the ballC