The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1918-11-02
WOMEN SAY They DO
NOT WANT TO VOTE
PROTEST AGAINST SUFFRAGE
AS DETRIMENTAL TO BEST
INTERESTS OF STATE.
ANTI SUFFRAGE PLATFORM
Convinced Woman Suffrage Is mex
pedlent and Detrimental to the Best
Interests OF the Community.

This question is often asked not
only by the unthinking, who put II
as a mere query OF idle curiosity, but
by the intelligent who do not exactly
understand why women who do not
want TO vote are engaged In the ear
nest endeavor TO prevent other wo-
men, who desire the franchise. from
getting IL. The following statements
briefly explain the position OF the
Anti-Suffrage women and their reasons
for opposing the movement:
First. The proportion OF women
actively engaged, or inactively sup
porting the suffrage movement is so
small a minority OF the adult female
population as to conclusively prove
that the great majority of women are
either opposed or Indifferent TO the
franchise.
Second. or this large majority there
Is certain portion which has given
thought and consideration to the mat
ter and, after due investigation and
examination, has decided that woman
suffrage would DO detrimental TO the
best interests of the State.
Third. These women, who consti-
tute the active members of the Anti
Suffrage majority, have realized that
strength lies in organization and,
therefore, they have formed them
selves into societies 70 engage IN ac-
tive preventative measures.
Fourth. The Anti-Suffrage women
realize that IL they remain Indifferent
or inactive in the expression OF their
views, they are liable to beNmisunder-
stood as acqliescing In the wishes Of
the suffrage minority and that, unless
they protest against woman suffrage,
1t will be forced upon them by the
belief OF the voters that they desire
IT,
Fifth. They know that II suffrage
be granted To women they VIII be
forced, against their desires. opinions
and beliefs, into active political life,
for, unless they take up the full civic
burdens so thrust upon them, they
will be represented Cor rather mis-
represented) by the minority, oonsti
tuted of the pro-suffrage voters.
Sixth. They appreciate fully the
burden OF the civic duties that will
devolve upon them IL woman suffrage
be granted and they protest against
the addition OF this burden 10 those
which Nature has imposed upon them
I'm the characteristics OF sex.
Seventh. They know that suffrage
carries with IL not only electoral du.
ties but the responsibilities of office.
They know that the right of the ballot
entails the duty OF public service In
the three branches OF government, and
they appreciate that the biological
characteristics OF the female sex dis,
qualify women from constant and con.
tinual performance of such service.
Eighth. They are firmly convinced
that woman suffrage will be inexpedi.
ent and detrimental to the best inter
ests OF the community; that IL will I'm.
tease the expense Of government, and
raise the tax rate to meet this in.
crease; that 1t will be an economic
waste, as It will withdraw women
from the specialized employments for
which they ore eminently fitted. and
add TO their labors those Of political
exertions. and that Il will increase
the dangers OF unintelligent legisla.
ton through the more powerful or,
ganization of the least intelligent
members OF the voting body.
Ninth. They believe that the whole
purpose OF progress and evolution Is
that OF differentiation and specialize.
tion, and see in the leveling OF both
sexes to the same activities OF life
nothing but retrogression.
Tenth. They believe that express
sion OF desire by persons disqualified
by Nature from enforcing the results
of such expression is not only futile
but dangerous
Eleventh. And, as free-born and
patriotic American citizens, they pro
test against being burdened with re
sponsibilities they do not want, and
which they are unified to support
merely TO please a small minority OF
their sex, most OF whom do not know
why they wish the franchise, what
they will do with II when they get
II, nor whether IL will be an agent
a.. a.. OBJ I'd, a.