South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-03-13

ttAD ntANatlOH bttpHltS as lnNOiNeQ as
Is usually the case with any sort OF
politics
Outcome Doubtful.
Women voters OF the state IN
qDsstionably will take an active in
terest in the selection Of delegates
to the constitutional convention. In
general this vote will be opposed &c
the votes OF the liberal element in
state politics. but the entire woman
question In Indiana politics at this
time is so much involved that IL is
impossible 20 forecast what will be
the outcome OF the first years op-
Grafton Of the partial suffrage law.
There Is a determined effort on
foot at this time among republican
leaders to compel the women voters
OF the state-or at least their leaders
to publicly align themselves with
the republican party. on the theory
that the republican party was dom
inant in the legislature that wrote
partial suffrage on the statute books.
The women are not TO be fooled by
such advances. however, and IL now
is definitely assured that the saner
leaders among them have come to
the conclusion that II Is not the
part OF the bulk of the woman vot-
ers in this state TO align themselves
either with one big party or an
other. Those who are opposing any
alliance with the republicans. are
pointing TO the fact that the last
legislature was so much out Of
sympathy with the republican ad-
ministration that il even failed and
refused 10 enact into law the pro-
gran. OF legislation that was propOs-
ed by the republican governor.
Claims of the republican leaders.
therefore. that their party should
receive the support OF the women
in payment for the giving of the
right to vote. are being laughed at
by democratic leaders and the wom-
en-. who know the inside history Of
the recent legislature, and who are
certain that the republican party
was not dominant therein. These
persons also are pointing 20 the &C
tual vote on woman suffrage in this
legislature and are suggesting that
the republican leaders read the list
OF those democrats, who voted for
suffrage. and of the republicans
who voted against it.
From this distance il appears that
the municipal elections next fall will
find the women voters of the state
divided on practically the same poll
teal lines as are the men. except
in some few cities of the state, where
individual women voters organiza-
tions may take specific action to-
ward supporting one or the other
OF the parties It is highly improb-
able. after learning the attitude of
various leaders among the women.
that any state organization of wom-
en-. embracing any considerable por-
ton OF these new voters. will swing
officially either to the democrats or
republicans.
Prohibition i'm Limelight.
Much attention just now is being
paid to the situation created by the
statewide prohibition law. II is be-
lieved that the liberal element in
both political parties will use It's in
fiuence 10 prevent the election of
dry delegates 10 the constitutional
convention. II is just as certain that
the advocates of constitutional pro-
hibition will use their powers to
elect dry delegates. There is Tow
no question that the problern Of con-
stitutional prohibition will be one
that will overshadow many OF the
other problems that are to arise for
the consideration of the convention.
The breweries and distilleries Of the
state will be in operation for another
year and their various state organ
nations will continue to make the
fight to save their businesses. This
will make the constitutional cOnven-
ton again the battle ground of
wet" and dry politics, it is agreed
here.
With the close OF the legislature,
political attention has focused on
Gov. Goodrich and the swift and
rapid changes it is expected will be
made in various state offices.
For instance the resignation Of
John o. Behymer, state oil inspec-
tor, suddenly and Unexpectedly was
forthcoming in the governors office
last week end the governor accept
ed IT, The appointment OF success
sOr TO Behymer has not yet been
made. but II is understood that an
other surprise may be in store when
this is announced.
Neither the governor nor Behymer
made any public statement regarding
the Behymer resignation and there
is much questioning here over what
pressure could have been brought
TO bear by the governor TO Dust
Behymer. after the latter had been
defended throughout the entire ses-
sion OF the legislature by a band Of
sturdy democrats who would neither
give nor take quarter.