New-York tribune., 1918-01-29
She Won't t Be Patronized
The Woman Voter Has Rights and
Privileges and Knows Them
. the Editor Of The Tribune

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir My attention has just been called to
Congressman Platt's letter in The Tribune Of
January 22. did say the words attributed to
NE in The Tribune, and a considerable num-
ber more words that were not recorded, to the
effect that considered him very much bet
Ter type of Representative than either Mr..
Gould or Air. Sanders, and that | was very
glad that he had not impaired his capacity for
usefulness as a Representative of his district
by failing to represent his district and state
On such an important matter. The sentiment
on the subject Of suffrage is probably strong
er and better organized in all districts than
is any other one interest that CoAgressmon
from New York State represent
It Miss Hay who commented upon Mr..
kiordan: "Oh, VIC will just forget about
Riordan. Maybe people wont think of him at
all when nominations arc made" OF course.
it will be nconccivablc party stupidity if
men are nominated on any tickets who have
deliberately set themselves apart in New York
State as hostile to woman suffrage
Our organization has passed two rosolu-
tons as evidence that the belief that anti
suffrage Representatives. other things be-
ing equal-are not good representatives was
not "uttcrcd in the excitement of victory and
not to be taken too literally" ! refer 20 a
thoroughly debated and carefully considered
resolution passed practically unanimously as
the state convention of the New York State
Woman Suffrage party November %, 1917
delegates from every Assembly district in the
state acting upon this resolution Also re-
ter you to resolution passed at our national
convention in Washington December - 1917.
:'oth OF these resolutions were given much
know why any one should express such pajned
surprise at my attitude toward the men who
voted against the Federal amendments al
though they are Representatives from the
great suffrage state of New York. Would if
occur to anybody to lecture a man who had
uttered himself similarly on any great oucs-
ton of the day? In our representative form
Of government, is it not the hope always OF
those who feel that some great cause or prin-
c.plc in politics is not being represented that
such elected official may be replaced bv a
more desirable one?
heard an eminent judge say recently: at
is question whether any man to- day who is
against woman suffrage is a proper repre-
sentative in this great democracy Under
stand, woman suffrage is no. one question:
1t is a great consideration of democracy. II
Is almost inevitably touchstone whereby es
Inmates may be made Of mans character. his
social outlook and his soundncss on many i'm
pCrtant questions.
For years tens of thousands of men in New.
York State have been judging candidates on
their suffrage record, as we'll as on other
questions. There has not been an election in
recent years when letters and telephone calls
have not showered into our Headquarters
from voters asking "How does so-and-so O
stand on the suffrage question:"
1t is Congressman Platt / believe. who in
the laudable spirit of championshn of nix
conferrees IN Congress, used the words mar
ro"ness and seltishness" ill-consderedly.
Let US consider this matter practically. Can
one really believe that Mr.. Sanders and Mr..
Gould, for instance, nave improved their
standing with their electorate? Mr.. GouId
had long and bitter anti-suffrage record.
lie fought the devoted organized women in
his district in every way during their suf
lrage campaign. His newspaper was the most
vlrlIe against woman suffrage in the state.
sir' Sanders has no record to recommend him
on the suffrage question. OF these ~hen, like