The Washington times., 1915-06-28
CARDINAL EXPLAINS
VIEWS ON SUFFRAGE
In Letter to James r. Nugent
He Says Woman Would Be
Lured From Home by Vote.

BALTIMORE, June zo.-CaTuln3l
Gibbons. in the hope of settling once
and for all any further question OF
his attitude respecting woman suf-
frage, has addressed an open letter to
James r. Nugent. former city coun-
sci of Newark and Democratic boss
in New Jersey.
In the campaign now being waged in
New Jersey, New York. Pennsylvania
and Massachusetts,. where the ques-
ton of woman suffrage will be voted
upon this fall, many contrary and
divergent statements have appeared,
all supposedly reflecting the attitude
of Cardinal Gibbons.
1t has not been an unusual sight to
see the prelate's, name used in one
city as proponent of votes for
women" and in another city as oppos-
ed to equal suffrage, and many news
papers have quoted him erroneously
| in this matter.
The cardinals letter to Mr.. Nugent is
as follows:
MY dear Mr.. Nugent: still hold the
same views on woman suffrage already
so often expressed, that the ballot would
drag woman from her domestic duties
into the arena of politics and rob her of
much of her charm. goodness and true
influence.
she Is. indeed, a princess, but her
God-Eiven rule should lie In domestic
and gentler fields and ways.
We all believe that she has been so
successful in her work there that we
fear any change by the carrying Of her
government into the political field"
Supplementing his letter to Mr.. Nu-
gent Cardinal Gibbons further says:
so powerful Is the influence which a
sensible matron exerts over her husband
and sons that they will rarely fail to
follow her counsel, which comes from
an inspired instinct rather than from
lanSTea rsasonns When the son of Of
father, who was Grecian general
Themistocles replied:
My son. I cannot grant you that
favor: You must have recourse TO your
rules Greece: Greece rules the world,
but your mother rules me-
Woman is queen. indeed. but her en-
pire Is the domestic kingdom. The
achieve in public life fade into insignii-
canoe compared with the serene glory
which radiates from the domestic shrine.
and which she illumines and warns by
her conjugal and motherly virtues. II
she Is ambitious Of the dual empire Of
public and private life. then. like the
tabled dog beholding his image in the
water, she will lose both. she will fall
from the lofty pedestal where nature
will fail to grasp the scepter of political
authority from the strong hand OF her
male competitor.
NFW YORK, June 28.-Thomas A.
Edison has come out unqualifiedly for
he enfrancbisement of women.
At Glenmont, his beautiful homo at
West Orange. N. j.. the famous in
ventor, discussed this much threshed
ut subject with reporter, and in
Expressing his views paid q tribute to
he women OF the country.
Women represent the better part
the family and the better part Of
he community. Women are moro
est than men. Their political influ-
nee in the community would be Cor
good" declared Edison.
81 have always been in favor of
giving the vote to women" he said.
1T is their right" He has not pub
icly advocated enfranchisement be-
ore. however.
Asked if he believed the suffrage
neasure would carry when 1t comes
before the voters Of New Jersey this
utumn. Edison smiled and said:
Il hope 1t WILL l do not come in
contact with many people outside of
my work. All my days are spent in
of knowing what the general feeling
is, but I am told the antis are pretty
strong in Jersey But even II the suf-
fragists fail this year, they are certain
Every woman in this country Is going
to have the vote" Edison predicted.
This is certain" he added.
Edison's genial smile gave way to a
that women would neglect their
homes" if they had the vote, was men
toned to him.
"Bosh." he remarked. "You haven't
heard of suffrage breaking up homes In
Colorado, have you? ] haven't
when women get the vote ] don't
know that they will bother much with |
politics." said Edison. II do believe.
however. that when a big issue Is at
will vote and vote right.
Look at the mess men have made Of
things in Europe. I don't believe you |
could get women to vote for war"
Edison reflected. II believe when women |
get the vote they will go in for social |
and they have big chance |
there Women must be kept busy. and |
this will be a great field for them"
lighting for the adoption of the Federal
amendment to enfranchise women, has
poled a number of its leading workers |
on the decision of the Supreme Court
killing the grandfather Clause" used |
to disfranchise negroes in many States. |
I'VE think tho decision will help the |
cause of the Federal amendment for |
woman suffrage" said Miss Lucy Burns,
vice chairman of the union, today. ut |
Is absurd that the United States for
bids a State to discriminate politically |
against negro as a negro, and does not
forbid 1t TO discriminate against women
as women. A more open declaration
Of the political inferiority of woman as
a class to negroes as a class could not
be thought Of
THE action of the Supreme Court"
said Miss Emma Gillette. dean of the
Washington College of Law. and an
ardent sufrragist. ''is OF very great in
terest to suffragists. The opinion of
the highest court strengthens suffragists
in their purpose and determination to
win enfranchisement by Federal amend
ment.
In enfranchising women the National
will liberate a great moral
force absolutely necessary to the well
fare of the nation. A Federal amend
ment is not only women's shortest road,
hut their surest road. to enfranchise-
ment."
Mrs. Lockwood president Of the Alex
andria County Va) Woman Suffrage
Association. said:
Southern women find 1t difficult to
understand the Jealous care with which
the rights of the most illiterate mer are
while refined and educated
o |