Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-01-31
Driving Snnrngist mills.

TO the Editor Of The Times Dispa tch:
Sir.-."rhe bill authorizing the en-
ployment OF female clerks in the Land
Register office was finally defeated in
the House of Delegates yesterday"
The above extract from the News of
Fifty Years Ago" I'm The Times Dis
patch of January &c would he Il fitting
epigraph TO that papers editorial of
the same date entitled Suffrage Re
ferentlum Gnwise.' since It cmbodics
what some Of us consider the rcnction-
AIRY attitude of that editorial towards
the needs and rights of women.
Replying to some points there made
we would say:
I. That the referendum meant
nothing more than the opportunity
of bringing the matter into full
Ter discussion. and hence to n better
understanding ny the people ut large,
that would he an argument for it,
since discussion is one of the acknow-
lodged best methods of making, cIari-
flying and settling opinion.
?. Permit us to be categorical
The supposed prepondcrance of Vir-
ginia opinion against suffrage can
not be justly used in opposition
to the referendum discussion. since
moral and legal codes give equal
rights to weak and strong. The in
ference YOU force us TO il that, being
in minority, we should have no voice
3. Suppose suffra gtsts do not believe
the referendum will at once bring the
desired amendment. but that It will bo
merely one step toward the desired
goal Under what sanction are we to
be denied that step? Not Of Justice,
certainly. Where would any progress
be without its first step? Bad logic.
MIR. Editor.
1. why should Virginia be bothered
case in question concerns many pco-
pie. and n State should be not indiffer-
ent TO what concerns many OF it's peo-
PIE. Woman suffrage controls forty
electoral votes y matter that is of
that much national interest no state
can afford To neglect, even n II we're
careless Of the rights and interests OF a
part of It's people.
D. Virginia does not want suffrage
for reasons that The Times Dispatch
considers sufficient" Many Virginia
women want the suffrage for reasons
they consider sufficient, and Will con.
tinuc to work for II with good hone of
success. founded in part on the fact
that. whereas thirty years ago not one
state in the Union permitted women
the franchise. n fourth Of them to-
day grant II. and such privileges are
not recalled Virginia Will fall into
line.
o. Women are not oppressed In ,hia
Commemorative" And yet any Virginia
father may give the guardianship Of his
children 10 whom he pleascs without
the consen, OF their mother
I. some observation"--"rath close
observation" leads The Times Dispatch
To believe that women will not lie i'm
proved by the franchise. or made more
valuable in the life Of city. State or
nation Possibly a substitution Of ''ac-
curate study" for some observation"
might change this opinion. There is
some good rebutting testimony i'm sum
rage history. y thing that affects
half the human race is worthy of a
better basis OF opinion than some
observation"
s. Thus the ordinary Virginan re-
CARDS the cause-a suffrage referendum
will not convince him he is in error
The referendum will be Il hammer TO
drive nail into the plank. and that
helps build the house. We women of
Virginia have not been 90 generously
treated that we disdain small gains.
We are glad to drive In even one nail.
Finally. whats the use?" ALAG and
alas. that the enlightened representa-
tive Of the enlightened press of an en-
,ightencd country: a country claiming
to he the "consummate flower" OF
Anglo -Saxon-of twentieth century
civilization-shouid ask this question
in mere matter of Justice! Mr.. Edi
tor. IL women could vote and men
couldn't. and men wanted a referen
dunn on the subject, what would be
your answer to whats the use"
A VIRGINIA WOMAN.
Richmond. January &c.