Milford chronicle., 1915-07-16
WHY SHOULD
WOMEN VOTE?
WoMAN'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. 1t is the mission of a
newpaper 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. D. Lewis, president of the Texas
Farmers Union, in opposing the bill:
1T is gratifying to note that 1t is
not the farmers wife who is clamorine
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. 1t is, as a rule.
the city woman promoted to idleness
by prosperity, who is leading the suf
fragette movement
From many standpoints, perhaps
a woman has as much right to vote
as man. So has she as much right
to plow as man; she has as much
right to work in factory as a man;
she has as much right to shoulder a
musket as a man, but we would rather
she would not do so from choice
and we regret that necessity ofttimes
compels her to earn a living by en-.
gaging in gainful occupations. We do
not consider misfortune a qualifica
tion for suffrage or a business acci
dent a reason for granting franchise
We are opposed to woman at the |
ballot box the same as we are op.
posed to woman in the field, in the |
factory or in the army and for the
self-same reasons. We had rather
see her plant flowers than SOW wheat;
gather bouquets than pick cotton and
rear children than raise political is.
sues, although she may have as much
right to do one as the other.
Opposed to Unsexing Humanity.
sex qualification for suffrage may
have its apparent inconsistencies. No
general rule adjusts itself perfectly
to all conditions. 1t is a favorite ar.
yument advanced by the proponents of
suffrage that many cultivated
and noble women are far more capa-
BILE of intelligently exercising SOW.
than a worthless negro, but
The South never was anxious for
negro suffrage, and while culture and
and even morality, are
desirable virtues, they are not the
)nly qualifications for franchise.
"The primary, inherent and insep.
lrable fitness for suffrage is support
ng a family. The plow handle, the
orge and the struggle for bread af.
ord experience necessary to properly
mark the ballot. Government is a
,reat big business and civilization
rom the very beginning assigned
yoman the home and man the bust
less affairs of life.
There has been much freakish leg
Station enacted during the past de-
ade that no doubt appeals to woman's
Ove for the ridiculous, but to under
AXE to unsex the human race by law
5 the height of legislative folly and
tragedy to mankind.
1--WE are opposed to the equal rights
f woman-we want her to ever re-
1ain our superior. We consider
desire to seek mans level
he yellow peril of Twentieth Century
utilization.
Woman is the medium through
-hich angels whisper their messages
} mankind; it is her hand that plants
1oughts in the intellectual vineyard;
is through her heart that hope, love
nd sympathy overflow and bless man.
ind. Christ-the liberator of woman.
ind-was satisfied to teach the lessons
f life and He was man. He chose
, rule over human hearts and re
lsed worldly power and men followed
fter Him, women washed His feet
tile children climbed upon His knees
nd the Ruler of the universe said
lat in Him He was well pleased
an woman find a higher calling?"