Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-12-07
Women to Purify Cites.

II women are planning TO clean up the
evils and eliminate the mis-government OF
cities, as is reported, they will At once hsvc
found waiting field for their efforts A.
I cnfranchised citizens. Harriet Taylor
| Upham, one of the leaders of the Suffrs-
sists, is organizing women ready for ac-
ton in municipal campaigns in the spring.
| She finds the worst evidence Of corruption
and unfitness in the control Of munich
palities, and declares women will take an
active and vigorous part In general
housecleaning or city clean up.
If the women voters resolve 10 support
for election only the best fitted candidates
for the respective offices, outside of party
considerations, and adhere TO this de-
cision, they can accomplish their aim. II,
however, they are induced, as the male
voters long have been, TO stick to party
and settle all party differences within the
party councils, they will Immediately
awake to learn that as tools OF the poll
tioians already in Office, they can 40
complish nothing. II, indeed, it were pos
sible for them to sec alike, and TO turn
deaf ear TO the party bosses and do their
own thinking and voting, they could bo-
come such force behind the adninis-
trative officers, especially fit ones, that
they could demand and obtain almost any
reform desired They are strong enough
numerically and there can be no doubt
they will put forth moro effort for clean,
vice-free cities than will the male voters,
who are busy with their own Affairs.
Women, with ASSURANCE Of the support
of their united vote, could possibly induce
filter and more desirable men TO accept
Office than is the case today.
Under existing conditions IL 10
difficult TO induce men who have
the proper qualifications TO accept office in
the city government. The average man
who is fit for the task Of mayor, for eI-
ample, s already more profitable and con-
geninlly employed, and unless he follows |
the bidding Of the political bosses he is de- |
nounced by them; And II he should follow
the partisan heelers he is condemned by
the people So he is almost sure 70 lose
either way We have in our own State an
illustration substsntiating this conclusion.
Our present governor, probably one Of the
best we have had in recent years, was hot
" denounced and berated by leaders Of his
party, some very reputable men, too, be-
~, f.ff 49, \
and seek counsel Of them They were his
most unsp.ring critics the public ~as sp-
preciative Of his efforts to give them .
good administration, but gave no audible
expression Of approval Of his course.
However, we think the women, If they
Will get together on the matter Of bet
er municipal control, clean, moral
zty, economically administered, could &C
,omplish their ann Indeed, Wilmington
women. while a new city charter is under
could very well insugurate
heir movement by studying the needs Of
he city and the reforms TO be undertaken,
md farnllRrize themselves with the best
methods of municipal control. We have
many problems right here at home not
,nly as related 70 our city. but TO the State
Is well, that the new voters could promote.
n fact. there is so much need for reform IN
very community where the political boss
lol ds swsy that women here aselsevhere,
gill find all the public activity they may
are 10 undertake
Many Of the women leaders, being less
occupied than the busy business man, have
more time TO acouaint themselves with the
onditions 10 be met and more leisure 70
cquaint themselves with the matters
hat come up for consideration. One Of the
reetest handicaps TO municipal govern
lent today is that the average citizen
oes not give sufficient study 70 municipal
even though they most vItally ..
feet him and his interests
Perhaps the women can do better Here
their opportunity; let them prepare 10
leet il and show by their direction Of
heir campaign for reforms that they
ave studied the matter and have work
ble, practical plan TO present. Possibly
omen may wish to FIJI some Of the Offices.
so, they should be better fitted for the
osts than are rs per cent Of the male
andidates