Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1915-09-17
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WHY SHOULD
WOMEN VOTE?
WoMAN's SUFFRAGE FROM THE
VIEWPOINT OF LEADING
FARMERS.

Why should women vote? That IL
the question that is ringing from
ocean to ocean and reverberating from
the Canadian boundary to the Mexi
can border. 1t Ia the mission of q
newpaper to give the news and the
action OF the Texas Farmers Union
in opposing woman's suffrage when
that question was recently before the
Texas legislature is significant as
representing the attitude of the or
ganized plowmen. We reproduce in
part the argument presented by Hon.
w. D. Lewis, president OF the Texas
Farmers Union, In opposing the bill:
''It is gratifying to note that 1t is
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
opportunities in life. It is, as a rule,
the city woman promoted to idleness
by prosperity, who is leading the suf-
fragette movement
From many standpoints, perhaps
q woman has as much right to vote
as q man. So has she as much right
to plow as q man; she has as much
right to work in factory as q man;
she has as much right to shoulder a
musket as a man. but we would rather
she would not do so from choice
and we regret that necessity ofttimes
compels her to earn Q living by en-.
gaging in gainful occupations. We dc
not consider misfortune q qualifica,
ton for suffrage or q business acci
dent q reason for granting franchise
We are opposed to woman at the
ballot box the same as we are op
posed to woman in the field, in the
factory or in the army and for the
self-same reasons. We had rather
see her plant flowers than SOW wheat;
gather bouquets than pick cotton ant
| rear children than raise political is
sues. although she may have as much
right to do one as the other.
Opposed to Unsexins Humanity.
sex qualification for suffrage ma,
have its apparent Inconsistencies NJ
general rule adjusts itself perfectly
to all conditions. It is favorite ar
| gument advanced by the proponents o
woman's suffrage that many cultivated
and noble women are far more capa
BILE of intelligently exercising soy
ereignty than a worthless negro, bu
the South never was sanxious fo
negro suffrage, and while culture ant
refinement, and even morality, ar
desirable virtuesr they are not tn
only qualifications for franchise.
"The primary, inherent and inser
arabic fitness for suffrage is support
ing q family. The plow handle, tn
forge and the struggle for bread al
ford experience necessary to properl
mark the ballot. Government is
great big business and civilization
from the very beginning assigne
woman the home. and man the bus
ness affairs Of life.
There has been much freakish LEI
islation enacted during the past d.
cade that no doubt appeals to woman
love for the ridiculous, but to undel
take to unsex the human race by la1
IL the height Of legislative folly an
q tragedy to mankind.
I'VE are opposed to the equal right
Of woman-we want her to ever n
main our superior, We conside
woman's desire to seek mans lev,
the yellow peril q Twentieth centur
civilization.
III Woman is the medium throug
which angels whisper their hessage
to mankind; 1t ts her hand that plant
thoughts In the Intellectual vineyard
! it is through her heart that hope, loy
, and sympathy overflow and bless MAJ
} kind. Christ-the liberator of woman
knd-was satisfied to teach the lessor
OF life and He was a man. He chos
to rule over human hearts and r
fused worldly power and men followe
after Him, women washed His fee
little children climbed upon His kne.
and the Ruler of the universe sa
;, that In Him He was well please
o Can woman find higher calling?"