The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-05-05
WOMAN SUFFRAGE ADVANCES.

WOMAN SUFFRAGE ADVANCES.
This year the of Minnesota asked the
legislators for the right only to vote for presidential
electors. In view OF the progress that has been
made in other states in the suffrage and cspc
cially in view Of the fact that there supposed to
exist in Minnesota growing progressive political
sentiment surely the women who appeared before
the legislature and asked for presidential suffrage
were only modest in their demands.
All efforts to restore the old convention system,
to emasculate the non-partsanship laws and give
back to 'hdden hands, the power that rests
with the people, were defeated.
What is this but evidence that democratic ideals
in greater favor with the people of this state
than ever before.
And equal suffrage is the first step III democracy
The existing social system, which forces women
to take place in the front ranks in the battle lines
OF industry has brought moral and economic prob
lens of growing completely. In industry there is
keen competition between the sexes and we cannot
close eyes to the fact that thousands of women
are forced to do men s work at wages far less than
sufficient.
Economic questions in the final analysis are
political questions and the rights of women must
be recognized to the end that these problems shall
be solved by all who arc affected by them.
* y =
Opposition to equal suffrage was voiced in the
legislature on the ground that the present is not
proper time to make any radical changes in our
election laws; in other words, not proper time to
recognize that women are ''people.'
But it the news dispatches are correct, the peo-
pie of the new Russia will be permitted to vote on
the question Of extending to the women of that
country the franchise ON an equal. basis with the
men. David Lloyd George, prime minister of Eng
land. recently gave out interview in which he
stated that the women Of England should be given
the right to vote NOW.
Still some of our opponents in Minnesota and
Uhoro hat c lOnro no
demand for democratic measures that prevailed a
year or two years ago; that such demand died out
with the coming Of the war. This was another shall
low argument advanced by our opponents in the
legislature why limited suffrage should not be cx-
tended to the women of Minnesota at this time
To meet this proposition might call attention
to the fact that number Of states have extended
partial suffrage to women during the past year; that
constitutional amendments will be submitted to a
vote Of the people in others and that state that
has taken the step has turned back
Does this indicate decline in sentiment with
respect to equal suffrage?
Moreover, the countries of the world are resort
ing to democratic measures order to meet the
crises that confront them.
One Of the first things Great Britain did was to
assume control Of her transportation system step
that would have been looked upon as violently
socialistc at any other time.
< Other countries are resorting to like measures
and serious question arises in the minds of many
students Of political affairs whether these countries
will 60 back and do business under the old
system again.
On the other hand it is quite generally agreed
that resort to democratic ideals and principles will
be absolutely imperative in order to solve the prob
lens that will inevitably confront the people of these
countries when the worldwide war is concluded.
Will not the women, who have shared the respon.
sbiIites and the horrors of war; insist that they be
given the same consideration as the men? Does not
every new development point in that direction? Will
they not demand that they be regarded as :people?
4
Is the verdict of the Minnesota legislature OF
1917, in turning deaf ear to the modest demands
OF the women Of the state to stand tie expression
of the people in the face of these facts?
Every political party platform has suffrage
plank today. Yet prominent party leaders in the
last legislature fought suffrage at every opportun
lty. According to all the rules of the game these
men cannot be regarded as anything but common
party boilers.
Equal suffrage will come in Minnesota in spite
OF the legislature and in spite Of the powerful inter
ests that are lined up against it.
B. 1t will come because it is right.-Richard Jones
= UNION METHODS AND CONSUMPTION.
l. There is lot Of foolish opposition to seectiv
4 consumption among Americaa, workingmen ant
others. Union labor men believe in certain kim
OF consumption in industry. They want every work
Iangman to belong to the union. OF course they u.s.
Loo -~A-1