New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-26
SUFFRAGE IN KANSAS
Governor Capper Considers 1t a
Great Success, Highly Popular.
n thn Fditor al The TrIbune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Many persons interested in the sue
cess of the equal suffrage campaign now
being conducted in New York Pennsylvania
and Massachusetts, have requested me TO
write TO your paper as TO the results Of
woman suffrage in Kansas. | am glad to say
that it has been success in this state, and
if the question were again submitted TO our
people it would carry almost unanimously.
All political parties here believe in IT,
The adoption of woman suffrage in Kansas
has made it easier to elect men Of good
moral character 70 Office and harder TO foist
a man of shady reputation on the people.
Election Day in rural Kansas with the WON
en- voting is more like big neighborhood
picnic than a political fight.
The extension Of equal suffrage to the
women of Kansas has had immediate effect
for good.
II has, impelled all political parties to in
clude in their programmes and platforms hu-
manitarian projects and moral issues which
previously they had ignored.
Il has made imperative more careful Sc
lection Of nominees.
and beneficial laws for the safeguarding OF
women and children and the betterment OF
conditions Of living, which followed the
adoption of equal suffrage laws in Kansas,
affords convincing proof that the enfran-
chising of American women is most i'm
portant step in the Advancement of state and
national progress.
Kansas is proud Of her new citizens and
appreciates the great part they are taking IN
every movement which has for it's purpose
the betterment of the state.
The extension of suffrage TO Kansas wom-
en- has not caused them TO neglect their
homes in the slightest degree. What time
they devote TO politics Is not taken from
their household work, but from pink teas
and similar functions Their spare time,
formerly devoted to social functions. is part
ly spent now in the study and discussion Of
economic and political questions No woman
is neglecting her home when she is trying
to improve the conditions under which she
and her children live.
It is claimed by anti-sLfragists that the
influence of women's votes has been dele
FERROUS to the social fabric of the state. The
Greet contrary is true in Kansas. Women
row discuss vital governmental issues along
with the men, and with keen appreciation
Of their new responsibilities of citizenship.
he participation of women in public affairs
ig having a wholesome effect in cleansing the
state Of spokesman politics and making for
higher ideals in both public and private life.
The aptitude of the women in political af-
fairs has challenged the admiration of the
men, instead of their resentment The wom-
On have not attempted TO foist themselves
irto Office, but in a modest way have insisted
or clean candidates who stand for the best
in social, educational and political progress.
| cordially and earnestly invite the East
orn states to send their best and keenest
business men to investigate conditions in
Kansas, with particular reference to the re-
suits achieved through equal suffrage and
prohibition All Kansas will welcome them
and give them every assistance to ascertain
the actual facts, for our people wish the
world to know Of the blessings and the bene-
fits Of prohibition and equal suffrage as they
have found them.
The saloon has never been found on the
right side of any question. The most hostile
and bitter protests against woman suffrage
always have come from the vice and saloon
element in politics. This ill-smeling crowd
has always fought for "the sanctity and
purity Of the home" by voting selidly and in
varaby against woman suffrage and every
ether question of real value in actually bet
tering the condition of our homes.
ARTHUR CAPPER,
Governor of Kansas
Topeka Oct 90 1915