New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-06
WHAT THE BALLOT CAN DO
Views Wholly Calculated to Inspire
Suffragists to New Miracle.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: In reading the editorials and let,,r
in The Tribune this morning my sttentic,
was drawn particularly 70 a letter fror
James R. Keene Taylor, under the heading
What the Ballot Can Do
have made a thorough study Of wOnsr
suffrage in the East ard in the West, whsn
it is so prevalent. During the course Of this
study have been unable to secure any facts
that will warrant the conclusions as draw
by Mr.. Taylor.
| agree with him that to compare the IL
teligent and morally fine women" with 'a'
lowest classes of citizens lis ridiculous and
insulting" On the other hand the sufri'
gists like to point to the fact that the Lowest
specimens of manhood are able 10 vote
There is no shoe without mate, however
Universal suffrage means the doubling o.
this very evil, which will not be offset by n'
ballots of the intelligent and morally ne
women" OF his acquaintance.
AS regards his statement that the prerog''
tive of the ballot will stimulate women %
take a greater interest in questions Of pup
lie welfare, | wish to present for the bensa'
of your many readers a statement BY NH
Elizabeth Cass Goddard, one Of the foren's
women in Colorado, on woman suffrage q"
its effects in that state. She says: u h''
that suffrage with the entrance Of wone
into politics has robbed them Of muen
the charm which We associate with the WoH
womaniness. They become aggressive AZ
so eager for Office that they will stoop
pretty mean tricks to carry their ends.
"They are as easily Influenced as the pro
fessional man politician, and | think hp
are quite as open to charges Of eorrupu0h
As legislators they are lamentable failures
. The best type of women here DO 10
like to vote, and | marked thigty-fye ssmPk
ballots for these friends Of mine at reeen'
election. You can always safely count upS.
the other classes, who generally follow Wv
leading of some man."
The next conclusion drawn is that Wv
granting of the ballot will aid waterway .
training women TO be efficient and nieihgen'
mothers and home makers. This eoneiUsV'
that failure to possess the ballot mas P'
vented women from understanding the mo-.
ern developments in infant hygiene, sh'e'o''
them from all knowledge Of world pr0sfsA
and other advances in knowledge ana
possession of the ballot viii obliiers"
these handicaps is ridiculous. How lons
il been considered that the possession o. ~
ballot has influenced mentality ana Ao'..
to read lntelligently? The granting OF
franchise will in no way affect women
sire to keep up 10 date in matters SHs'r -,
their welfare. They do not have the OS"
yet presume that the majority OF the "V-
of his acquaintance elothe themselves
manner which Is somewhere within inc
tates of Dame Fashion. II they are Son
read and understand the laws OF dress ii
out the so-caled aid of the ballot why shO'
they need TO call in the right Of yo"u.
help them in understanding the real nav.
of life, such as advances in science u
welfare, sanitation, educational methoo.
innumerable other present day suoleeS
No especially II he rs malsl
would deny woman any right she Gem'- -,
Take the earth and give az peace D0'
does woman long for the ballot ia.
When all is said and done. is not the,'g =,
ton of the butcher more important :.
home than the election Of Mayor 80.
the employment OF a dairyman is' -,
important event in the life Of ehilu =,
the appointment Of postmaster! Is n wS,.o
selection of books for the family w.
more important than voting bonds io'
and courthouse? Why does woman 10y y,
the important things in life? why pA
substance and grasp the shadow IA,
It may be said 10 the credit OF wOm. WON'T. AZ
il is not, as a rule. the woman VINO 'V. i
cradle that wants the ballot'
rot the daughter who nopss IA,
reign as queen over some happy ho'as h
longs for the uniform OF suhrSs As
is. as u rule. the woman who de'p'S ..or,,
home, neglects her children Snd ss.hs
motherhood that leads parades sna,5 all
windows. BARRElr l.
Newark, n. j., Aug. 3, 1918.