Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-03-15
MRS. SAMUEL 3. SCOTT
On Women Voters, Opportunities

THE full responsibilities of voters will fall
L upon women's shoulders when they have
that longed- for opportunity Ito get in at tne
primaries
Just what they have chance to do and
how they may be expected to take au
vantage Of this is outlined By Mrs. Samuel
B. Scott, chairman Of election laws and
methods Of the Philadelphia League OF
Voters and member OF the e1ecGtlrS G
board of the Women's League for Good
Government Mrs. Scott says:
"will the women of Philadelphia make
good at the next primaries! This is the
question that anxious observers are asking
For It is still one of those interesting uncer-
tainties what effect the new voting element
is going to have on the result OF elections.
What part the women's votes hnd IN fo,hhs hs
up the big majorites last fall would be
almost impossible to analyze out from tne
many other factors that influenced the ma
tional verdict. So that, although women
have voted once, there has been no real test
as to the difference their vote Is going TO
make. IT,,
Gaining the right to vote only short
time before the general election, the great
mass Of the women Of the country had no
say in the choice of candidates. AND u Is
Just in the choice Of candidates that those
who have hoped for gradual lifting OF the
tone Of public life when women shoulder
their share of political responsibility look
chiefly to see the influence of women q IDEAS.
The Appeal Of Local Problems
''The world is watching TO see how much
they can make themselves felt. VIII they
slide into the old easy ways OF inactlon and
any group of citizens who will take the
trouble to afix their signatures to nomi-
mating petition to have the name OF their
candidate appear on the pri rimary ballot: and
sented to them when they see the printed
ballot? Or will they recognize their power
and their responsibility for selecting per.
sonally the officials who nre to be intrusted
with the community interests!
1T Is fortunate that the first primary in
which women take part in Pennsylvania is
that of Il municipal election, because local
problems come home strongly to women. In
their everyday home life they come into daily
contact with city politics and they realize
the difference that an efficient and public
spirited city government can make IN the
welfare of every family.
And IL they see it to fill some OF the
places on the ballot from their own numbers,
as undoubtedly they will, what better Of
aces could women have with which to begin
| the career Of public SerVicef Probably very
| few American women as yet, il any, have
| the training and experience to fill satisfac-
| torily important state and national Offices.
| But many women are fully qualified to step
we select next fall and do the work
creditably.
Women as Election Oficiais
In every one OF the 1886 election di
| visions in Philadelphia are to be nominated
| at the September primaries three election
oficials-a judge OF election and two in
spectors. Their work is one well suited to
women's ability. Women are doing every
| day in the business world with ease and
| accuracy the type Of clerical work involved !;
and the personal qualities desirable in an
| election official, tact and courtesy in meet.
| ing voters and fellow officials, should be
found in women. who perhaps more than men
have special training in the art of human
contact; while the alcrtness and quick
wittrdness desirable are proverbially feminine
qualities Far be it from me to infer that
all election officials up to this time have been
conscientious clerical experts with personal
charm and nimble wits But If we might
have such why not prefer themI In western
cities where they have for some time had ex-
| perience with women in politics the women
| have 30 fully proved their fitness for the
task OF election officials that they are con
stantly chosen for this duty.
philadelphia women should pick out the
right ones from among their own numbers
as election officials and carry out the simple
technical requirements of getting their names
on the primary ballot. They will probably
find In most districts that the men are quite
willing TO vote for them. II any opposition
develops, they have only to remember that
there are as many women voters as men, or.