New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-14
VOTES NOT GUILTY
Absolute Failure of Woman SUI.
frage to Extinguish the Home.


To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Votes for women would have Tn.
dency, in my opinion, TO increase crime 4
the astounding statement Of Thomas Vet
Osborne, warden of Sing Sing prison, sd
the logical and convincing arguments uttered
to justify this extraordinary statement w
chat it would be a dangerous experiment
and 81 can see no good that can come fr'n
giving women the vote
Every extension Of the suffrage has b''i
regarded as a dangerous experiment, and per-
sons have always existed who like Mr.. os
borne, have been unable to understand he
benefits a real democracy would bestog on
humanity A hundred years ago many men .
the governing class would have considered u
either dangerous or ridiculous that VI. O''
borne should have a vote.
The warden Of Sing Sing attempts to DOL
ster his remarks with few time-honor'
patitudes about the home.
As a matter of historical fact are hon''
more neglected than in the good old times
If they are, charge it up to other causes
than universal suffrage. Modern inyenh'n
have given unlimited leisure and wealth 70
a few women; they have given drudgeP 3"
ill-paid work to millions Of others VINO w
obliged to leave their children to peHom
that ill-paid toll The children OF nly
working mothers drift into the juvenile e0'''
and finally into the prison, but not beeasS
their mothers spend 365 days around pom :
booth and are using time and energy "
form the government
Mr.. Osborne believes "a good mother 'I
overcome the bad influences that youth n-'
come in contact with if she will. she ~.
possesses the most noble franchises
power of developing character
wonder how many men in Sing sing "oI-
attribute their downfall TO the teaching 'a9
received at their mothers knee? Besides ~
warden's opinion is contrary TO that Of e'S,
teacher and social worker in the country. =
is Numerically opposite to that OF ta',.,
John Talbot Smith, of Dobbs Ferry, who -
been speaking for woman suffrage thIous.
out New York State Father Smith mas ~.
thirty years experience helping to form 'a'
character of boys, and his summing W !"
this subject is as follows: For sixteen - -.
parents. priests and teachers waten Over a,
boys. At that age we send them INV
market places of the world. and IN less VA.
two years far too many of them return 70 :
wretched drunkards and lepers. Inc JAW.
of this product OF sixteen years OF laOO, -
the part Of priests, teachers ana NO..
lies not altogether al the door OF tne ~.
of designation. but rather at the doors OF ".
Christian men of this nation; for IN VI.
Offices. workrooms, factories, wherever
boys are sent, they hear nothing out m -,
ton 70 sin, incentive 70 DO wrong -
priests, ministers, teachers and mothers ~
by in silence and in pain, helpless 70 pre'"5
the ruin of the youth Of the natlon' ~. -,
before they are seventeen years Ola v 81
fathers, their brothers, their employers
false friends" INA
Like most eminent men who feel o'. .,l,
upon 70 express an opinion when they -,
haven't anything to say, Mr.. Osborne -.
oblivious to the fact that women nav I.
form Of suffrage in every civilized eou'''
the world, and the home has not become
tinct. Price Collier, who wrote "Nof"~y ~,
the Norwegians," says that Norway
women have full suffrage has the hnes' S ...,i
ization that exists on this planet. C1'C ca.
Moral, Archbishop Delaney, Senator ,sSr,
froth, Governor Mondell, George Greer 80
Lindsey, Congressman Taylor and SCOT 1.. 4
other reputable men and women VINO ~ 80.
woman suffrage communities, and ~ho " - ~.
sequence might be presumed 20 know -.
thing about IL, are on record that no o. -.
whatever has resulted from the ihhVssA
kas haar
ana very 'e''oeo e0O' SARA M'PISE
ST. Catharins Welfare Assoeia''V"'
York, June 8, 1915.