Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-01-02
l.ADY AsTOR TALKS ON
WOMEN IN POLITICS
Before They Had Vote, She Says,
IL Was Conceded They Did
iai Not Want 1t.
THEY ARE NoT CATFISH"
Declares II Unfnir to Limit Fcmi-
nine Sex to Narrow Circle of In
tercsts and Then Say II Is Petty
or Small Minded
Bi LADY isToR, VI. -,
In London Daily Sketch.


4 generally considered, that the majority
Il did not want 1t. and were not inter-
ested in politics. There are people
even today who arc ready to main
tain that this is true, and TO point o.t
Z g. so-cal!cd apathy on the part OF
woman toward affairs political
4 And ii is these psople who arc the
first TO arrive at the conclusion that.
because ali women 30 not vote al po-
! 1itical or municipal elections. they
Greatly are not fitted 10 vote at all.
~ That there are a certain number OF
= women who do not vote 1T elections.
II would point out that there are also
! many MEN who do not play their part
as citizens. And cousidering that
women are entirely new. 10 the bust
ness OF politics. think it IS very en-
4 encouraging indeed that there IS so
much interest-.nte!l!Eent interest
among them.
81, 1t is grossly unfair to talk OF the
APATHY OF women without gianc.ng
3 at the apathy Of mon, who have had
the chance OF educating themselves To
4the use of the vote for many years.
3fIt is. however, disappointing, both
from the mems and women's point OF
View that women have not secured
3 Seats in the recent mnnic'pnl cleo
}$tionS. One reason for this is the fact
!. that prejudice among women against
sspoting for woman stiIi exists. ana
suntil we women can commend our
3sseives more successfully TO each other
ave have no right 70 indulge in vain
5sregrets with regard TO elections.
Muat Imitntc Men.
81 Recently this prejudice was the rca-
4 son given to me by women 70 rNnIain
Z why they had not voted for a woman
councillor. and il seems TO me very
reErettable obstacle. For until women
4 can pull Loyalty together. as men pun
8 i don't wish for "a moment to sug
Eest that women should Genuine
+ against men; but II we are 10 have
S mors women councillors women must
+ overcome that prejudice against can
didatcs OF their own sex, and vote
4 impartinliy.
Another reason why there are not
more women councillors, is the fact
z that many OF our best and most suit
to understand and sympathizc with
q, One cannot help benz sorry that
municipal politics shcaid follow too
closely the lines OF national politics.
for the division lines in local AFFAIRS
do not necessarily correspond with
those in Parliament But though in
tue. il is essential for effective work
to cooperate with groups and il is
possible 10 do this and Yet possess
rSonr own soul.
~ AS things are, too. from practical
point OF view. neither men nor women
who have not the support OF organ
lied opinion have much chance OF
( election, except in special circum
stances, but perhaps II may be pos
sible 20 get some more satisfactory
grouping of opinions in local politics.
tt In any case, il sccms to mo that
y women, whose experience and ont
+ look are viially needed In both local
and national politics. will need 10
coacentratc stiil more on orsan2a-
1ion and cooperation.
What The. Have 10 Learn.
think the Lack OF this is rrcor
done public work, ana this can be saii
without In any way oe!it;lng the
splendid and successful work Of many
independent candidates. or the dcvo-
lion OF their supporters.
80 have no douh, whatever that
Women Will learn the lessons OF po-
iitical wisdom and the need OF com
binaHon very quickly.
AS women recognize the vital con-
nection between laws passed In Par
Lament aad ;heir legal bower over
their children; as they realize that
they don't like the scullercs and
larders in houses approved 10y a pure
~ male housing committee. they Will
see that these evils can only hc cor
3 ors. They Will learn tho need OF or
gani2at!on and of greater mutual
support
Not Really Cats"
Because OF these few shortcomings
which will soon 'be ovcsi.0mc, therc is
no reason whatcvcr Cor arguing that
women are not capable oil loyalty.
that they are, in short. cats" But
this has been q rather fuvoritc male
belief for many years, There is
kind OF attitude. "a way OF treating
women, which helps 10 encourage
that quality.
1t is unfair to limit woman 10
marrow circle OF interests and then
complain that She is petty or small
minded. The more women enter in;U
bigger interests the less Will that ac-
cusation find any Justification.
The old kind OF education for girls
is very quickly passing away. II Is
easier now Tor Il woman TO be "a
human being first ana u woman ar
forwards.
The CO. cooperative movements OF
women's citizens associations. wo-
mems institutes and clubs, and wo-
mems new status SIS citizens are all
helping 10 stimulate their interest in
. citizenship, and eve them Il chance
SO prove more widely and deeply than
before that Ecs can be The real help
meets OF men.