The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1920-09-10
VOTES FOR WOMEN

women will no longer care to exer-
else the vote. Cardinal Gibbons is un-
doubtedly well versed in the work
ings of the human mind. His position
of advisor and father confessor to
countless thousands of men and wo-
men certainly gives him an insight
of the human interest of people.
But Cardinal Gibbons must remem-
Der that his position is that of relig-
ious advisor and religious confessor.
The average man and woman draws
a line, unconsciously, it is true, be-
tween secular and religious affairs
Their attitude in the confessional is
not atrue index to their lives in gen.
eral. The deep human emotions STIR
ed by religious thought do not touch
the civic affairs that move and eddy
about the average man and woman.
1t should've admit. Ones religion
should permeate ones life complete
ly. But we insist it does not always
function that way.
We are reminded of the old darby
whose fervent religious convictions
forbade dancing. In his church he
was an ardent enthusiast. And yet
one night when passing dance
hall where others of his color were
disporting themselves to the strains
of beguiling music, the temptation
was too great for him. Taking off
his coat he threw it on the floor and
said: LAY there, religion, while l
shakes my feets little.
Instead of Cardinal Gibbons pre-
diction, we believe that every elect
ion will bring new interest to the new
voters. Instead of the novelty Of
holding them temporarily, we believe
that the average woman will be
more reluctant now than afterward.
There is pitiless publicity attend
ant upon registration. Apart from
the fact that it is a silly idiocy for
a woman to object tosuch a thing,
there is the possibility of complicat-
ion in her voting if she does not COM
ply with all the demands made upon
a voter. The man has always given
the date and place of his birth. The
woman cannot consistently refuse to
do the same if she wants equal suf-
frage. She should accept the same
conditions that bind the man.
However, this is merely incidental.
Such things will disappear. The wo-
man will become more and more ac-
customed to such details. The finicky
notions held by some in a pruddish
way regarding the sexes are no Ion
ger tolerated. The. sooner woman can
show the opposite sex that she is
capable of taking care of herself the
better it will be. The more she be-
comes conscious of the genuine worth
of equal suffrage the more she will
exercise it.
Census figures from states hav-
ing equal suffrage prior to the 10Th.
Amendment show that more wo
men than men in proportion to the
population voted in 1912. Does this
indicate anything? That was eight
years ago. Women are more enthus-
iastic today than ever.
In reply to the contention of some
that suffrage will lead to- family
disagreements, the Phidelphia Bulle-
tin cites an interesting fact. Equal
suffrage was granted in Colorado in
1892. Prior to that the average num-
Der of divorces granted in the state
was 937 yearly. The first three years
following the advent of suffrage the
number dropped to SIT.
There will be disadvantages in
equal suffrage. The woman will find
that she will not be sheltered and
pampered so much in the foolish way
of the past. She will be more ION
her own. Already men are refusing
to give up their seats in trolleys and
trains. They are refusing to remove
their hats in public places. And that
is as it should be. Now that women
have taken their places in positions
of trust and responsibility in all pro-
fessions they must meet conditions
as men meet them.
She is going to realize her power
more and more as the years pass. In
stead of losing interest in the ballot
she is to become more conscious Of
her power to weld it.
We trust she will not forget that
it was the Republican vote that gave
her the vote. Twenty nine of the thir
ty six states ratifying the 10Th. Am
mendment were Republican. Only