Evening journal., 1915-04-12

Two editors OF important Farming
papers circulated largely in the cam
paign States Of New York, New Jer-
eey and Iowa have come out for equal
suffrage. Herbert w. Collingwood,
editor Of tho Rural New Yorker. which
has circulation among farmers OF
about 10000, devotes two columns
10 his advocacy of the question in the
issue Of March 27, and comes out
sqlarely in favor. James NJ Pierce,
publisher Of the Iowa Homestead,
Wisconsin Farmer and other farm
journals has also declared emphati-
cally for the onfranchisement OF wo-
men.
Mr.. Collingwood says; 1T is be-
cause ] know so many strong, sensi-
bic and clcar-headed women that /
favor giving them the ballot. ! work.
ed for a farmer once who was strong
~ opposed 10 suffrage He said that
all the bad women would vote. while
ell the good ones would stay az home.
II gave him a great shock 20 learn
that his own wife wanted the ballot.
Here Is her answer % him.
We will take care OF the bad
women ii you will take care Of the
bad mcn.'
TT occurs 10 me that thousands OF
men. both IN city and in country, dc
NOT realize the helpful possibilities ol
their own wives and daughters. Many
a woman who ought to be a partnel
and real helper has become play
thing OF a subordinate. II seems 10
me that some OF those women would
acquire new life. new strength of
character. and new interest In the
responsibilities OF suffrage. I think
most OF them would take the ballot
seriously-more so than most other
classes of citizens who have been In
past history given the right TO vote
Il once heard an orator ravinE
about what he called the God-giycn
right to labor No one will be likely
10 deny the fact that the average far
mer's wife has this right-usually
printed in italics. 10 is because she
does her work promptly and without
complaint that agriculture can pun
out its chest and making such q show
ing. Your fat Congressman and your
black-coated professor can get up anc
tell about it-and incidentally call for
an appropriation when you get
back to the foundation of it all you
strike the brave and patient worker
by the kitchen stove. What would
you think of a matchmaker who pui
q fine case on his watch and useC
the poorest material he could fint
for the handspring? How long wOulC
his trade last? Yet the farm woman
IS the handspring OF the farmhouse
and that means the inside works o
the nations business. Go and lool
at her working outfit. and see wha
sort OF material is put into the main
spring"
Mr. Pierce is no less emphatic. II,
says:
Il am an advocate OF woman SUI
frage. ! believe that most farmers ar
also. There are few professions o
callings in which woman is so help
ful partner as farming. Why hav
we denied her the right to vote 70
so long, when We have made her a
equal partner in the Joys and sorrow
OF life, in the earning Of a livelihood
IN all the things uat count most
Many a farm has tided over som
rIti NA duNtiriiN NH iNt lNiNint y
the determined. devoted farm wifi
with her flock Of hens and her churr
I'VE have a million women farmer
and farm lahorers here I'm Americi
70 say nothing Of that vastly large
army OF women workers on the farl
who find in four walls and an homes
love their only recompense. Yet yo
and I. by our prejudice and our SLOW
ness in adopting reforms. have disei
franchised this army of women a
II these many. many years.
g. 81 rejoice that the grain belt
last beginning 20 see the light
iAa foregone conclusion that low
women will be voting within the ne
two or three years. thus adding a
other State TO the brilliant gala
which has given woman the rights