Fitzgerald leader enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Ga.) 1921-1964, 1921-08-19
Women In Georgia
Will Seek Office
New Law Removing Civil Disabilities
Now In Effect-Other Legisla-
ton Will Be Pushed

ATLANTA, Aug. 1oth-Although
only one of the several measures ad-
vocateG by the Georgia League of
Women Voters has become a law the
cooperation on the part of practically
all State organizations of women it
was stated here today, was a develop
ment of far more Importance than
the success of any one legislative pro-
gram.
On questions affecting women and
children ard on questions of human
ity and justice women as individuals
and in groups feel alike, said an At
lanta member of the League today.
To those who believe in Democracy
and in the power of the ballot this is
a hopeful omen for the future success
OF the legislative program of the wo-
mems organizations of the State.
The bill for the removal of the civil
disabilities Of women, which has been
signed by Governor Hardwick and is
now law OF the State, provides that
women may hold any office in Georg-
Ia on the same terms as men, Furth-
ermore, it .harmonizes Georgia stat
utes with the Federal amendment by
providing that women may vote in
any election in Georgia subject to the
same restrictions as men
This bill, as urged by the League
and as originally introduced in both
houses of the Legislature, conferred
OF women the right and duty of Jury
service, though there were exemp-
tions in their favor. The provision
of the bill was stricken out by the
committee of bth buses. This, it is
claimed by the League Voters, stripped
the bilf of its greatest value, and jury
service for women will again be urged.
Five other measures urged by the
women during the recent session of
the Legislature either failed of pass
age or were not reached in the. regular
order of business. Of these two
measures concern women particularly
bill to limit the hours of labor of
women and bill to raise the age of
consent. A measure providing for the
appointment of children's Code
Commission was also of peculiar inter-
est to women. Two Their measures
the peonage bill and measure pro-
viding for the abolition of the fee
system for public officials, were en-
dorsed by the Georgia League of wo-
men Voters because, as the organiza-
ton announced. their enactment was
believed to be vital to the welfare of
the State.
There was no Dill introduced. al
though legislation is desired by the
League, raising the age of consent.
On this question, according to League
members here, Georgia occupies
better place among the States than
formerly for through the efforts of
women, the age of consent was raised
at a previous legislative sessin from
10 to Ia years. But girls from IS to
IS years, it is pointed out here, need
The protection of such a measure and
the League contends that Georgia
should give them the same protection
as most of the other states of the
Union.
The 1921 session of the Legislature
was the first in the history of the
State in which women adopted leg
islative program and with the good
start which has been made, according
to officials of the League of Women
Voters. it is believed that in the course
of the next year or two practically all
of its desired legislation will be placed
on the statute books of the State.