New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-08
Do Women Want to Vote?
Mrs. Norman de r. Whitehouse Offers
Evidence That They Do

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: There was published in your issue
Of October a letter from Everett. p.
Wheeler, in which he says that although
993152 women in this state have enrolled for
woman suffrage. he is still convinced that
the great majority of women in New York
do not wan, the responsibility or burden Of
tire ballo.
Nr. Wheeler is not up to date as to the
number Of enrolled woman sutfragists. On
August 30 the number was 993.l52. On Sep
TENDER 20, when the enrolment was officially
exhibited to the Secretary Of State in Al
bany. the rumber was 1,OO6,5O5. To-day it is
1Ol2, i94.
The signatures are Of women Of voting
age. Mr. Wheeler asks wAat evidence there
is Of this fact The suffragists whose names
certify to the genuineness OF the signatures
we're given careful instructions TO obtain
the signatures of women only of voting age
Names and addresses of the l.0l2,i9 women
are all on file, open to public inspection IN
our Headquarters in this city and can be
verified. Any suspicion or doubt can be
proved or disproyed. There is no excuse for
the opponents os woman suffrage to make
any irresponsible statements Of this kind
or am other n regard 20 this enormous en-
rolment for women suffrage.
The largest number of men who have ever
registered in New York State is l,942,2i6
We set ourselves the task of enrolling for
suffrage 100000 women. or number eX-
ceiling "a majority of the registered men
voters. But Mr. Wheeler estimates that
there must be 100000 women of voting
age in this state, and concludes from this
that there are two women who could not be
persuaded to sign the petition for one that
signed Great a the suffrage organization
.s Mr. Wheeler hatters il. The suhragsts
have not reached nor have they ever hoped
or dreamed or reaching. every woman Of vot-
ing age in this state. Far from two refusing
10 one that signed. we found that over 80 per
cen. Of the women who were approached
were glad 70 sign for woman suffrage so
that we have every reason 70 believe that If
there are, as Mr. Wheeler says 3.OO0OO0
women over twerty-one years old in this
state. if we could have reached them all
there now would be enrolled for sufrag-
100000.
The state provides every facility for men
20 enroll IN political parties The suffrage
enrolment has been obtained by the vo.un-
teer work Of women who have made the
greatest Sacrinces OF time ana cHoit 70
reach other women in all parts Of the state,
from the most crowded sections OF the cities
TO tho cneiest of rural districts
The enrolment Of l,0l2A94 women for
woman outrage cannot be belttled ny even
50 determined an opponent as Mr.. Wheeler.
Il is The greatest number OF people ever put
on record in behalf Of any question in the
history of this state. II the enrolment OF
IOl249i women for suffrage leaves Mn.
Wheeler unconvnced that the majority Of
women want IL. he must be greatly disturbed
by the fact that the Hon. Charles Whitman
is Governor of this state. There may be
100000 males over tweuty-one i'm this state.
but iu 1916 only 1.942,246 registered. OF
this number only S35.s20 voted for Governor
Whitman. and although this is majority
Of the votes cast in this state for the gubcr-
ratorial candidates. Mr.. Wheeler must feel
that the great majority of men do not want
Mr.. Whitman a. Governor. But the voting
public will not agree with him
The opponents Of woman suffrage have long
made irresponsible claims OF all sorts. We