The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-03-04
SUFFRAGE FAILURE
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/ Fairmont Contains Many
Very Earnest Advocates
Of Equal Suffrage.
The collapse of the effort to have
the suffrage amendment ratified in
ms state was a very sharp disap-
pointment to many Of the women Of
THIS city. which includes among its
citizens Of both sexes some Of the
most earnest supporters of equal sur
irage In the state. One Of the best
known women Of the city this morn
ing sent to The West virginian the
Following statement, which she says
represents the views OF herself and
some OF her friends on the outcome
at Charleston:
All my life I have been proud that
am West Virginian. i have he
neved IN our little rugged Mountain
state-have loved her and boosted In
al honesty that in all the states IN
cur Union she stood unexcelled. Now
lot the first time, am ashamed for
her! Ashamed that she has repudiated
her womanhood!
II have watched the other states
tnfrty-three of them-as, one by one.
they have said through their legis-
iatures, Why surely we believe in
our women! We know they are cap
able and have the right to help us
decide the kind Of laws we shall have
and the type OF people who shall ad-
minister these laws over the boy.
and girls they are trying to raise to
strong, clean manhood and woman
Hood. We are glad to give them this
privilege. have watched these
states, feeling so sure my own would
take her place among the progressive,
enlightened states.
But she has failed in her testint
time! With the eyes of all the other
states fixed on her, with the Presi-
dent of the United States, the Gov
ernor Of the state, the leaders in both
parties urging ratification, our legis-
lators have said mo, no. It would
not do at ALL You know there are
quite number Of ignorant women
who would be swayed by unscrupu-
lous politicians and that would be a
very great menace.
well Mr.. Anti Legislator how about
the husbands Of these women-equally
ignorant and INSCRIPTIONS. You have
not seemed excited about their reg.
istration day in some sections OF our
state. There has been quite an influx
Of gentlemen OF color from Alabama
and Georgia, and instead of being
considered a menace, they have been
carried to the voting precincts in
automobiles and some have even Sc
cretely wondered II they have not
been recompensed for the time wasted
in voting.
But you say, IAN Overwhelming ma
jority voted against suffrage a few
years ago. Yes, quite number o.:
men did do so. Have women ever
been given the opportunity to express
themselves? Then remember, too,
that we had no prohibition then, and
you, Mr.. Anti, knew that II we got to
vote whiskey would have to go. Now
It's gone and surely you have not in
your mind the thought that there
might be another fight on the ques-
ton and so you should keep US out!
"Well, you say, there Is no telling
what may happen I'M these unsettled
times and we should be prepared
but your women do not want to vote
We grant you that there are quite a
number who do not want to accept the,
responsibility but suppose they do
not. We would not force 1t on them.
Just as long as they want they may
sit on cushion and sew fine seam,
and feast upon Strawberries, sugar
and cream. These women, no doubt
sincere in their objections, am sure
do not realize that they are lining up
with the liquor element, the opponents
to good child labor laws the elements
of vice in our country. But granted
that they are sincere, why should they
keep the rest Of the women-the think
ing, conscientious mothers, who want
to make their state and their town Just
as pure and clean as possible-who
want to help get the fairest, most, just
laws possible and the icleanest, best
people to administer them-who havc
been identified for years with all
movements for moral and civic better.
ment-why should they debar these?
mo, Mr.. Anti Legislator,-elected
as you were by parties which had
openly declared for suffrage-you
failed us! We thought we had proved
ourselves during the war. You did not
then object to our standing by your
side and working shoulder to shoulder
in all the hard gruelling drives for
funds. You did not then seem afraid
We might get iostled by the crowd,
Then there was never night too
stormy for US to go with you 10 the
far ends OF our county to little school
house to beg Tor money. There was
then no hill in the country too steep
or hard for the country woman to cross
going from farm house to farm house
begging. There was no sun too hot for
us to march weary miles by your side
in street parades. There was no ques.
ton then Of the rebuffs we might meet
In our house to house canvass for
funds. There was. none OF the office
work too tedious, none Of the Red