American Fork citizen. [volume] (American Fork, Utah) 1912-1979, 1916-01-22
WHY SHOULD
WOMEN VOTE?
WoMAN's SUFFRAGE FROM THE
VIEWPOINT OF LEADING
FARMERS.

Why should women vote? That is
the question that is ringing from
ocean to ocean aud reyerberating from
the Canadian boundary to the Mexi.
can border 1t is the mission of a
newspaper to give the news aud 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 plowmeu. We reproduce in
part the argument presented by Hon.
w. d. Lewis, president of tho Texas
Farmers Union, in opposing the bill
II is gratifying TO note that It IL |
not the farmers wife who Is clamoring |
for the ballot. She 10 too busy |
trying TO make happier homes, mold |
ing the minds oC 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 tho home
| additional comforts, convcniences or
opportunities in life. IL is, as rule,
the city woman promoted to idlenoss
by prosperity, who is leading the SUI.
fragettc movement.
From many standpoiuts. perhaps
woman has ms much right to vote
as man. SO has she as much right
to pillow as man; she has as much
right 10 work In factory as a man.
she has as much right to shoulder a
musket as a man, but we would rather
she would not 90 SO from choice
and we regret that necessity ofttimes
compels her to earn living by en-.
gaging in gainful occupations. We do
not consider misfortune n quall6ca-
ton for suffrage or business accl.
dent a reason for granting franchise.
We are opposed TO woman at tho
, ballot box the same as we arc op.
posed TO woman I'm tho fleld In the
factory or in the army and for the
self-same reasons. We had rather
see her plant flowers than SOW wheat
y gather bouquets than pick cotton and
= rear children than raise political is
A sues, although she may have as much
II right to do one as the other.
Opposed to unsexins Humanity.
. Sex qualification for suffrage ma,
II have its apparent inconsistencies N
e general rule adjusts itself perfect
r to all conditions II Is favorite a,
pr gument advanced by the proponents {
Up woman's suffrage that many cultivate
and noble women are far more cap
m BILE OF intelligently exercising SO
AZ ereignty than worthless negro, bl
az the South never was anxious Il
a negro suffrage. and while culture al
OF refinement and even morality, al
lg desirable virtues. they are not ii
oil only qualifications for franchise
PC "The primary, inherent and insel
~ arabic fitness for suffrage is supper
ing n family. The pillow handle. IN
is forge and the struggle for bread n
RI ford experience necessary 10 properl
n. mark the ballot Government is
m great big business and civilization
n. from the very beginning assigne
~ woman the home and man the bus
ness dHulTb Ol Illcs
There has been much freakish ler
islation enacted during the past dc
cade that no doubt appeals 10 woman
love for the ridiculous. but TO under
take TO unsex the human race by Law
is the height of legislative folly AM
a tragedy TO mankind.
I'VE are opposed to the equal right
OF woman-we want her to ever re
main our superior We conside
woman's desire 10 seek mans levo
the yellow peril OF Twentieth Centur,
civilization.
Woman Is the medium througl
which angels whisper their message
TO mankind; IL is her hand that plant
thoughts In the intellectual vineyard
II is through her heart that hope, low
and sympathy overflow and bless man
kind. Christine liberator OF woman
kind-was satisfied 10 teach the lesson
OF life and He was man. He chos
10 rule over human hearts and rc
fused worldly power and men followe
after Him, women washed His feet
little children climbed upon His knee
II and the Ruler of the universe sal
NJ that IN Him He was well pleased
"a ro,, ,,,nvnou 0p1 "a Ifghnr poI1ipu9"