The Alaska citizen. (Fairbanks, Alaska) 1910-1917, 1915-06-14
BY Mrs. r. W. Calderhead.

We of today scarcely realize per
haps that it is less than half a
century since the question under dis
cussion this evening became qurs-
ton. The first "Woman's Rights"
convention in America was held in
1877, but not until after the close
of the civil war was the question
brought before the public; and il
me- then only with ridicule taunts
and sneers What will woman do
If she ever gets the franchise? ." said
the press and brilliant men drew
upon their imaginations to depict
the havoc which would be wrought
in such an event. Visions We're
common .of wrecked homes. neglected
children. and unladylike females ell
bowling their way into the ranks of
men. The cheap joke maker and
cartoonist made the most of the sit
uation. and such names as Eliza
beth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott
hlu susan u -hAilpl4f bt' lllIt q
household word. But the right al
ways finds champions who are SUI
perior to ridicule. and the fight went
on
In a few years tine question be
came: What will woman do when
she gets the franchse?" and it be
gan to be recognized as possibili,
~ that she would get it some day,
4 long struggle still remained. but
those who had the courage of their
convictions stood firm; the public
began 10 consider it more seriously.
ridicule began to give way to sober
second thought, and today it is an
established fact in eleven of our
states. 1t is only a matter of time
when it will be universal through
out our land In every country the
new concept of woman's share and
part in Lille has grown and spread.
We in America have much to be
grateful! for The progress of suf-
frage with Us, through lawful and
dignified effort. is a fortunate con
trast with the situation in England.
1t would not be fair to claim that
women alone have brought about
this revolution. Many fairminded
men have helped. especially in later
years. But. after all it has been
;r,I,, lI
victory prove that woman has cour-
age fortitude and the capacity for
organization?
The question of today is "Wha,
is woman doing now that she has
the franchise" 1t is not my purpose
TO quote to you the work of indiyid-
ual women in politics. You can
find such information in any cur
rent periodical
There can be no question of their
ability or activity. In California,
woman has raised the Child-labOr
age from twelve to fifteen years,
caused a law to be passed requiring
fathers to support illegitimate chill
dren regulated weights and mea-
sures, and wiped out gambling of
all kinds
In Illinois it is generally conceded
that the women We're largely re-
sponsible for what happened at the
last election. One thousand saloon
keepers We're put out of business,
and the dry territory was greatly
extended
Wherever women have become
voters, reform has proceeded more
rapidly than before. With ballots in
their hands they can form the bal
ance of power on any side of puri
~ when it is assailed, or force the
acceptance of any measure intended
for the common good They can
take children from the mills and
sweat shops and put them in school
they can close many an avenue that
leads 10 sin In the matter of pro
hibtion, their influence has already
been strongly felt, and those repre-
senting the liquor interests are the
strongest opponents of equal sui
frage.
Since the votes of women, wher
ever the experiment has been tried, !
have had great effect on the side
of public morality and decency. why
should there be any doubt as to
woman's motives remaining pure
With the coming of the franchise
comes an enormous responsibility
1t behooves each and every woman.
especially if she is member of
such an organization as the Civic |
Club, to show that women are ready
for larger service. This we can do
by working in mony-always with |
a view to lettering conditions around
us. Civic work. like charity, begins |
at home. A vision of the good |
which might be accomplished il all |
the women of our town united to
work for the good of the community |
may well set us all thinking If
the true meaning of the club move
ment has taken root. no one will /
desire to enter the club for anything !