Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1915-07-22
WHY SHOULD
WOMEN VOTE?
WOMhN'S- SUFFRAGE FROM THE
VIEWPOINT OF LEADING
FARMERS.

Why should women vote? That is
the question that is ringing from
ocean to ocean and reverberating from
the Canadian boundary to the Mexi.
can border. II IL the mission OF d
Newspaper TO give the news and the
action OF the Texas Farmers Union
In opposing woman's suffrage when
that question was recently before the
Texas legislature is significant as
representing the attitude OF the or
ganized plowmen. We reproduce in
part the argument presented by Hon
w. ID. Lewis. president OF the Texas
Farmers Union. in opposing the bill:
IT is gratifying to note that II is
not the farmers wife who is clamoring
for the ballot She is too busy
trying to make happier homes, mold
ing the minds OF future citizens and
sharing with her husband the cares
OF life to indulge in political gossip
The ballot will give her no relief from
drudgery. give no assistance in cloth
ing the children or bring TO the home
additional comforts. conveniences OF
opportunities in life. II is. as rule
the city woman promoted to idleness
by prosperity. who Is leading the sui
fragette movement
From many standpoints, perhaps
woman has as much right to vot,
as man. So has she as much righ
TO pillow as man: she has as mucl
right to work In factory as man
musket as d man. but we would rattle
she would not do 30 from choice
and We regret that necessity ofttime
compels her to earn living by en-
gagng in gainful occupations. We d,
not consider misfortune qualifica
ton for suffrage or a business acc
dent reason for granting franchise
We are opposed to woman at III
ballot box the same as We are OF
posed TO woman in the field, in III
factory or in the army and for tn
self-same reasons We had rattle
see her plant flowers than SOW wheat
gather bouquets than pick cotton an
rear children than raise political fl
sues. although she may have as muc
right TO do one as the other.
Opposed TO Unsexlno Humanity.
sex qualification for suffrage ma
have its apparent Inconsistencies. y
general rule adjusts itself perfect
to all conditions. II is Il favorite a
gument advanced by the proponents
Womans suffrage that many cultivate
and noble women are far more cap
BILE OF intelligently exercising so
ereignty than worthless negro b
the South never was anxious II
negro suffrage. and while culture al
refinement. and even morality. a
desirable virtues. they are not q
only qualifications for franchise
The primary. inherent and inse
arabic fitness for suffrage is suppoi
ing a family. The pillow handle. q
forge and the struggle for bread
ford experience necessary TO proper
mark the ballot Government is
great big business and civilizat
from the very beginning assign
woman the home and man the bu
ness affairs OF life.
There has been much freakish IL
islation enacted during the past {
cade that no doubt appeals TO womal
love for the ridiculous. but to und
take to unsex the human race by Il
is the height OF legislative folly a
a tragedy to mankind.
I'VE are opposed to the equal rigl
OF woman-we want her TO ever
main our superior We consi'
womans desire to seek mans lie
the yellow peril OF Twentieth Cent?
\, civilization
Woman is the medium throu
{ which angels whisper their messal
to mankind; it is her hand that pla
thoughts in the intellectual vineyal
- II is through her heart that hope. Il
= and sympathy overflow and bless IN
kind. Christ-the liberator of won
kind-was satisfied to teach the less'
OF life and He was man lie CHI
TO rule over human hearts ana
fused worldly power and men follow
p, after Him. women washed Ills II
little children climbed upon His kn
and the Ruler of the universe
that I'm Him He was we'll pleas
"a Can woman find a higher calling