The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-05-07
NOT A LAUGHING MATTER.

NOT A LAUGHING MATTER.
Florida solons did not stop at refusing the vote
to the women of Florida, but have held the wom-
en- of the state up to ridicule in the introduction
into the Florida legislature of the bill making
it lawful for females to don and wear the wear
ing apparel of man worn publicly by hin"
It would seem, from this, that the solons believe
that it is only the toga and the ballot which
should be denied to the woman hood of the state.
In commenting upon the bill introduced into
the Florida legislature, the New York Telegram,
which is the afternoon paper published by the
New York Herald Company, says:
eve are not only in favor of permitting won1-
en- to wear the kind of apparel now worn by men,
as soon as the equal suffrage is established but
we are in favor of according her that privilege
now, even before the act is signed. We have
been in favor of it always, in the cause of per-
sonal liberty and pluchritude
"Of course many women have been credited
with wearing the pants in the past but that
was figure of speech. We prefer habments
that bring out into holder relief the figure of the
women"
It is hardly probable that the women of Florida
viii enjoy this jibe of the Telegram, any more
than they enjoyed the insult offered the woman
hood of the state by the introduction of this dis
creditable bill by the Florida legislature
It is evident that the legislators in Tallahassee
have looked upon the question of suffrage as
more or less of huge joke. Just how much of
a joke it is may yet be determined, when the rep
resentatives return to thei rconstituents It may
be that the joke will be turned against the legis-
lators, and other southern legislatures should
the women of New York state and the women of
the west decide for republican instead of
democratic administration. It was admitted
when Wilson was reelected to office that it was
the women vote of the west which turned the
tide. No one, looking back upon the splendid
record made by the democratic administration,
the outcome of the world war might have been
different, and victory might yet be long way
off.
The ST. Augustine Record, in commenting on
the action of the house of representatives, says:
"The first inclination on reading of the action
of the house of representatives of Tallahassee in
refusing to submit the question of woman suf-
frage to the voters of Florida is to get real angry
and say mean things. But on second and more
mature thought and having in mind the posi-
bility of favorable reconsideration of the issue
it seems best to draw the mantle of charity about
that handful of strange-thinking men who are
afraid to trust the judgment of the people. 1t
is not so much the great question of the recogni-
ton OF women, important as it is, than that of
casting reflection on the judgment of those very
men who have sent these fellows to the legisla-
ture, not to set their own judgment on mighty
oinacle where it cannot be reached or influenced
by rhyme or reason, but to play fair and square
on all matters and not to seek to play the baby
act or assume the role of car
Some fellow by the name of Wicker-thank
God he is not from ST. John county-made long
spiel during the debate, delving into alleged an
cient history and actually setting forth the ar
gument that the enfranchisement of women
would bring about the downfall of the American
republic. Let wicked Wicker wick
incidentally it will be interesting to note if
any county dare fess up to any relation ship of
the aforesaid Wicker
I'VE submit that the Importance of the issue
is sufficient to warrant the legislature in afford
ing the citizens of Florida the opportunity of say
ing whether they do or do not want to give the
women Of the state the right to VOTE !!