Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1917-11-22
VICTORY FOR WOMAN SUFFRAGE.
Election Result in New York State
Drowning Triumph.
BY w. J. BRYAN
In the

All tAS
The victory for woman S suffrage
won in the state of New York may well
be regarded as a browning and compel
ing triumph. The Empire State, by a
decisive majority of nearly 100000, ex-
tends suffrage to woman on equal terms
with nan. The carrying of the big
gest state in the Union, and that, too,
in the very center of the east, will
exert "a powerful influence on the elec-
ton in other states. 1t seems quite
certain that Pennsylvania will follow
New York's example as soon as the vot-
ers have an opportunity ito express
themselves again. Two years ago sui
frage was defeated in Pennsylvania by
a majority that was small when com
pared with the majority registered
against the reform in New York at the
same time. The women, with the most
populous state on their side and with
the second state in the Union sure to
follow, will enter the fight with renewed
vigor and with stronger hope of an
early triumph of their cause. 1t is not
likely that the verdict of New York
win exert a powerful influence on con
gress and may give to the advocates
of the national amendment the nee
| essary two-thirds majority.
Bryan Congratulates Country.
The Commoner c~ongratulates the
country no less than the women upon
| the prospect of full national enfranch.
ikement of women. With the new
ethical questions that will arise, the
world needs woman's vote even more
| than man needs the ballot. Her par
ticipation in politics will hasten the
triumph of national prohibition, and
when this reform is accomplished, wo,
mems vote will make the settlement
of the question permanent.
When the war is over, the world will
be confronted by the greatest problem
it has ever had to meet, namely, the
laying of the foundation of peace that
shall endure. When that time comes
the mothers, who in all the belligerent
nations are giving their sons to the
battlefield. should have a voice in build
ing a machinery for the settlement OF
international disputes which will make
this the last war to redden the earth
with blood.
The Elections of 1917.
The elections of 1917 do not indicate
any decided change in the trend of pub.
lie opinion. The most significant fea
ture is the growth of the Socialist vote
throughout the country. 1t fell short OF
the expectations of the leaders of that
party, and they did moi secure the vie
tories which they prophesied, but their
gain was sufficient to give them sub.
stantial encouragement. These gains
will be v~ariously interpreted. The more
radical Socialists will see in them an
increased acceptance of the principles
of the socialistie party, while those
outside of that party will be inclined
TO account for these gains by con
sidering them an expression of the
nltra-anti-war element.
As between the Democrats and Re
publicans, the latter have more rea
son than the former to rejoice. Mas
sachusetts, which has been going Dem
~ocratic occasionally in recent years
gives and oldtime Republican majority
in reeleeting Governor Mccall. The
Democratic majority in Boston is lower
than it has been in seventeen wears
The Republicans also show considerable
strength in Baltimore, Louisville and
indianapolis, hut the party out of pow
err generally gains more advantage il
the o~ff-vear elections. We shall have
to wait until the congressional election
of 1918 to gain any definite idea of tn,
drift of political sentiment insofar a:
il is likely TO affect the national cam
paign of 1920.