Evening journal., 1915-02-03
Anf-Suffragists Oppose
Franchise For State Women
lContinued nom Page l.l

b"i itoeh sAdtuSf anu WNlic We nave
lad no parades or demonstrations OF
any kind, we represent great many
women who are unalterably opposed
to suffrage.
Today the question at issue is the
amendment granting the franchise to
women, and we as a body Of women
are opposed to it. Why? As free
citizens of this State we are all en-
titled to our own opinions, though
we may admire the tonacity, the
ardor and the zeal of the other side.
we Iccl that wOman's sphere Is quite
different from mans, just as Inn
poriant, If not more so, but in a diff
ferent way.
"On man falls the responsibility Of
supporting the family and because OF
his work he Is thrown among men
and the affairs OF men and has a natu-
raj grasp of politics which is his by
inheritance and practice. On woman
falls the responsibility of bearing
and raising children, Of keeping the
home and of looking after the hns-
bands comfort This is our work by
natural inclination and inheritance
and this work is continuous. II is
never ending and many times it takes
all our Will power to keep us up to
the mark so that we may cheerfully
perform our self appointed duties. |
ask you if 1t is fair to expect women
to fulfill all these home duties and in
addition take up political duties. for
which man, by nature and inclina-
tion, is better equipped? Further
more. | ask you gentlemen, is not a
woman more useful to the State as a
mother than as a voter?
Woman in politics weakens her
usefulness in the home, in charitable
work and in all reform movements.
AT present we may share in the
work for the hetterment of humanity.
We may start any reform movement
as body Of non-partisan women, and
in every case meet with the hearty CO.
operation of both men and women. The
moment we become Republicans or
Democrats We loose our power as
body of women and become politicians
because our strength is divided.
Feeling of Unrest.
This suffrage movement among the
women Of today, in this country. Is all
due TO a feeling of unrest. In America
we have everything we need, nov here
in the world are women better treated
or held in higher esteem. Maybe it
is because we are so well treated that
we have become restless
"We all realize that marriage is the
foundation of our civilization and that
the family is the cornerstone of the
state 1t has been found that in the
suffrage states divorce is on the in
crease and apartments are taking the
place of homes. In many apartment
houses the question is asked, have you
any children? Mr. Bowdle says the
great need Of today Is more marriage,
but many men are afraid to support
the modern woman. and this suffrage
question is making women less attrac-
tive TO men. We must sustain mar
riage or perish. The most sombre sign
Of modern times is the assault upon
the family by increasing divorces. II
Is proposed that a further assault be
madc Dy introducing two political
heads and thus subjecting its purse to
two anlagonistic parties.
I'VE shudder at the awful possibili-
ties that seem to rise out Of this
thought Let US hesitate before We
bring about like condition of affairs
here
"Of all the civilized countries in
the world America will be the only !
one for the next fifteen or twenty 7
years where men will be plentiful /
enough for every woman to have one I
for herself, therefore | say TO the (
married woman take care Of what you
have. make your home attractive
raise your children and thus keep
your husband contented.
"To the unmarried say. especially,
TO those who are engaged in making
an honest living. having the vote will
not help you make one penny more
and may be the means OF causing
friction between your employer and
yourself If you have any spare
time use it to help others. as many
of the splendid girls have done this
winter in tho Rcd Gross work and
other charities for the sick and poor
rather than in seeking the elusive
vote.
ITO the gentlemen OF the Legis-
laturo ! say. do not be misled be-
cause some few enthusiastic women. 4
Who arc free to so and come as they
choose, have spoken to you individu-
ally and collectively and told YOU
tilat women must have representation,
and that they arc expressing the wish
Of all the women Of Delaware. To-
say they arc not; there are thousands
o. women in Delaware who do not
want the vote, many of whom would
have been here with me today. hut for
INC Tact that they are at homo with
lheir babies. There are hundreds
q thousands of women and mothers
all over this country 10 whom this
y hole movement Is distastcful and
MO do NOT want to vote
Finally, gentlemen. ! ask YOU not
10 give us this privilege unless YOU
are sure that the majority Of wo-
men want il and are prepared for IT,
should Delaware be the first eastern !
state TO grant foothold to suffrage.
.hrough your Legislature. you may !
le the means of furthering a cause
hat future generations will look ON
With regret J
'eW Jersey Speaker.
Mrs. Thompson introduced Mrs.
Trace w. Goodwin, Of Westfield. n. j. /
s the next speaker She said she ap- !
reared as the representative Of the z
,ational Committee Opposed 70 !
Woman Suffrage, which she said had :
uarter of million women enrolled 2
gainst suffrage. She asserted there Is
o real demand by women for the bal 4
Of. !
But we are so impressed with the n
ense Of our public duties that if the +
ote is thrown uDOn ms we will no tbe n