The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-04-06
THREE GREAT PUBLIC NEEDS
AND WoMEN'S PART IN PoIlT-
lHAl LEE TO-DAY


AND WoMEN's PART IN PoLIT-
IcAL LIFE TO-DAY.
AS universal suffrage Is merely =
matter of time-and short time
and in view of the part played by wo-
broadened ideas of the whole world
and the necessary readjustments, po-
litically and otherwise. And especially
as the women in our state are much
interested in obtaining the right Of
suffrage just now. extracts from re-
cent article in the Ladies' Home Jour-
nal by Anna Howard Shaw will be Of
much interest. She says.
Governments are being remade.
While in the past republics have not
exhibited the dura bility which we seek
in our own country, 1t is nevertheless
true that the tendency in all nations
Is toward broader and more general
exercise of political power by the peo-
pie, which women must share with
men and take an equal part with them
in solving community and national
problems. The patriotic and almost
religious fervor with which American
women responded to the call of our
country during the war, and the zeal
with which they undertook all tasks
required of them, is evidence Of their
desire and willingness to serve with
like devotion and loyalty In times or
peace.
I'VE need fear no lack OF womanS
interest in public affairs. Rather should
we guard against her altruistic desire
to correct all wrongs and without due
consideration urge SO many changes
that her well-intentioned efforts be
scattered and ineffective and the pub.
lie become hopelessly confused
In order to make the wisest and
most helpful use Of their political op-
portunities, women should select and
persistently advocate those measures
which are fundamental and absolutely
necessary to the happiness and we'll
being OF the individual. and to the
permanence of our free institutions
and national life. With these estab-
lished, others will follow as the public
mind becomes enlightened and the
civic conscience is awakened to their
need.
"The great demand for humanitarian
service occasioned by the war awoke
in women consciousness of respon-
sibility and obligation which inspired
an ardent desire for sacrifice and SER
vice. Now that the war Is ended.
reversal to the old personal life is
distasteful, IL not impossible, and wo-
mems patriotic zeal in winning the
victory has become a fervent longing
to crystalline into national life the
conditions which experience has
shown are essential to the progress OF
civilization. and to make It forever i'm
possible that nations may plunge hui
mainly into another such cataclysm.
There should be no attempt to form
separate political organizations for
women. Such a movement would
initiate against one of the primary
sbjects sought in the extension Of the
Dallot-that men and women. together.
may work in harmonious and effective
cooperation for the common good.
The three measures which are of
vital Importance and to which i'm
mediate attention should be given are;
Health, Education and Women In In
dustry.
Since the strength OF a nation de-
ponds upon the physical well-being
of it's people, conditions affecting
health are too vital to be left to the
uncertain control OF the individual or
to the politicians Of the various cities
and states.
THE vast number Of men debarred |
from active military service because |
OF physical defects or diseases shows |
an almost criminal neglect OF proper |
training in the home or the |
school and Of adequate control Of dis |
ease by the state.
The entrance and spread Of the re-
cent epidemic OF Spanish influenza In
this country, with the loss OF thou 1
sands OF lives, which might have been
prevented II proper precautions had
been taken and sanitary laws observed. i
proves that We pay too great a price
FOR the narrow vision and anti-nation-
al policy which declares that each I
that even each state
Is law unto itself. To neglect to /
enact sanitary laws for the protection
Of the people endangers the whole life
Of the nation and Is OF universal i'm
portance and concern.
Whatever Affects the happiness or
well-being of the nation is the busi-
ness Of all the people. and no COM
munity or state, either through ignor-
ance or neglect. should have 1t within
IT. power to cause or permit the de-
velopment of q national calamity.
Care Of health is so vital and far
includes SO many problems.
requires the most careful and scientific
that 1t is worthy of q
Federal department OF public health
With an experienced Cabinet member