Newark post., 1915-04-28


when the affair began. Mrs. Graves
asked her husband to vote for wo-
man suffrage. Mr.. Graves paused
Just long enough to settle the mat
ter, in that final way he has. "Wo-
men don't need any vote; they can
express themselves through their
fathers and husbands" But"
said Mrs. Graves, 81 am trying to
now; l want you to vote for SUI
frage and you won't. How am l
to have any part in the govern
ment if YOU won't vote as l want
Won to vote?" Mr.. Graves replied
that Indirect influence was the
proper method of woman, the only
right way for her. and closed the
discussion by changing the sub
ject.
Graves is owner of good share
of a Wall street office building and
pives much of his time to real es-
tate. We went over to Flushing
one afternoon, stayed to dine with
a dealer over there, came back IN
his auto and went to a first-class
restaurant for lunch before we
parted. It was one of those dane
ing places and ase we took seats
Mr.. Graves went white with rage.
His wife, pretty, very bright and
young, was tangoing down the
aisle with Ralph Montgomery Sell
lers, man of advanced years and
restricted habits, known to all
New York's sporting world as the
president of the board of directors
of the Paraguay Steampship Line
and fellow of the society for the
entertainment of chorus girls.
Graves is very much of a man
and he showed fine control. He
waited until his wife paused in
her dancing, politely asked her
partner to excuse her, escorted
her to a vacant chair at our little
table and then, very quietly asked
an explanation. | had to admire
his wife's diplomacy. With her in
terests hanging in the balance,
she smiled at him most charming
ly and told him she was following
his instructions. 81 have,' said
she, "only my indirect influence
to use in affairs of this common
wealth. | am intensely interested
in politics and have been ever
since | can remember. l tried all
my direct influence on you to get
my vote cast as | wanted it cast.
You would not d oft, so / got Mr..
Sellers into line. had to argue
with him quite while, but he fin
ally agreed that if | would come
here and spend the evening with
him, tango with him twice and
let him drive me home in his auto,
he would set aside his own prefer
ences, lose his own vote on suf-
frage, which he opposes, and put
my vote in for me, in favor of
votes for women. Now, how can
you say did wrong? Mr.. Sellers
is perfectly respectable; anyhow,
he belongs to your club. He has
been very nice to me and he has
given me promise to give me a
vote. Also | had very charming
time and expect to enjoy the rest
of the evening even more. His
whiskers get in the way some
they tickle my cheeks awfully
when we dance-but | am doing
just as you told me and you your
self said it was the proper way.
OF course, if the women get votes
for themselves, after this election
shall not need my indirect in
fluence. But till November l have
to go on using it on all the respec-
table men | know" Then she
named two men whom l knew
Graves hated, and said she was
going to try her indirect influence
on them next. Her husband was
very polite and very cold. The
wife was very charming, showing
her smiles at their best. Without
protest Graves arose, escorted
her back to Sellers, bowed, went
back to the table, tipped the waiter
paid for the uneaten lunch and we
left.
Yesterday went with a few
friends to suffrage meeting
When the time came for donation:
Mrs. Graves, who was there with
her husband, arose and announced
that she gave five hundred dollar.
to the cause, and she added very
clearly and sweetly: "This is my
husbands donation; his sacrifice