The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1915-07-08
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.
Newspaper to give the news and the,
action of the Texas Farmers Union'
in opposing womans suffrage when,
that question was recently before the
Texas legislature is significant as]
representing the attitude of the or-I
/ ganized plowmen. We reproduce in]
part the argument presented by Hon.j
/ w. d. Lewis, president of the Texas|
Farmers Union. in opposing the bill:
1T is gratifying to note that 1t isl
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 or
OPpOl III Tic. II is, DIS d Iultr
the city woman promoted to idleness
by prosperity, who is leading the suf-
fragette movement
From many standpoints, perhaps
woman has as much right to vote
as man. So has she as much right
to pillow as man; she has as much
right to work in a factory as a man;
70 ;Ohf fA CHI
musket as 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-
ton for suffrage or a business acct
dent a reason for granting franchise.
We are opposed to woman at the
ballot box the same as we are OPP
posed to woman in the field, in the.
factory or in the army and for thei
self-same reasons. We had rather1
see her plant flowers than SOW wheat;I
gather bouquets than pick cotton andI
rear children than raise political is
sues, although she may have as muchI
right to do one as the other
Opposed to Unsexing Humanity.
Sex qualification for suffrage mayI
have its apparent inconsistencies. mol
general rule adjusts itself perfectly
to all conditions. 1t is favorite arI
gument advanced by the proponents OF
woman's suffrage that many cultivated
on fo 4
BILE of intelligently exercising sovI
ereignty than a worthless negro, butt
the South never was anxious forI
negro suffrage, and while culture andI
refinement, and even morality, areI
desirable virtues they are not theI
only qualifications for franchise
'The primary, inherent and insep-I
arabic fitness for suffrage is support
ing family. The pillow handle, the
forge and the struggle for bread af-
ford experience necessary to properly
mark the ballot. Government is
great big business and civilization
from the very beginning assigned
woman the home and man the bust
ness affairs of life.
There has been much freakish leg
islation enacted during the past de-
cade that no doubt appeals to womans
love for the ridiculous, but to under
take to unsex the human race by law
Is the height of legislative folly and
q tragedy to mankind
I'VE are opposed to the equal rights
Of woman-we want her to ever re-
main our superior. We consider
desire to seek mans level
the yellow peril of Twentieth Century
Woman Is the medium through
which angels whisper their messages
20 mankind; it is her hand that plants
thoughts in the intellectual vineyard;
t is through her heart that hope. love
ind sympathy overflow and bless man.
Kind. Christ-the liberator of woman
lind-was satisfied to teach the lessons
If life and He was a man. He chosel
o rule over human hearts and rel
used worldly power and men followed
Ifter Him, women washed His feet,1
title children climbed upon His knees
md the Ruler of the universe said
hat in Him He was well pIeasedI
IAN woman find q higher calling?'