Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-10-25
WOMEN AND THE ELECTION.

The women of the country became possessed of
the full electoral franchise only a little while before
the last election. Vigorous effort was made by rep
resentative women throughout the country to famil-
iarize women generally with the fact that they were
u ll-fedged voters. with all the rights and all the
responsibilities attaching to that status. And wom-
eli responded in a manner most gratifying to those
who had felt certain that cnfranchisement would be
justified by the evidence of woman's recognition Of
her responsibility as a citizen. A very large wom-
ems vote was cast. and there can be no doubt that
this vote was cast as intelligently and as patriotic
ally as was the vote Of the opposite sex.
On Friday of this week an election is to be held
in North Dakota to determine whether or not three
important members of the state administration shall
be permitted to retain their present positions, or
whether others shall be substituted for them. The
decision to be made involves more than the fate of
individuals. To the average individual II matters
little what individuals fill the official positions in
out government. so long as the work is honestly and
caPably performed. Beyond that most of US have
not even an indirect interest in the personnel. The
present election is not being held for the purpose
OF Furnishing or rewarding anyone. 1t is for the
puspose Of passing on public policies, and for plac-
ing the administration of our state government in
the hands of persons whom the citizens believe to
be fitted for that work.
Our state government has for several years
been administered by persons representing one sep
arate and well organized faction. That faction has
been controlled and directed by persons whose
homes and interests are not in North Dakota, many
of whom are professional agitators and theorists
who have never in their lives produced anything but
theory. We have been trying out some of these
theories. The experiment has been a costly one. 1t
has imposed on us heavy taxes. 1t has drawn on
the incomes of families all over the state in contri-
buttons and assessments and purported investments
millions of dollars. And the net result has been fail
ure. abject and irretrievable. In the long list of en-
%terprises fostered by the Nonpartisan League man
ayers. some of them direct activities of the state.
and others. such as the Consumers Stores, the local
banks organized for political purposes, political
financed by farmers notes which the
farmers have to pay. and other enterprises in this
group, of a quasi-public character. the contributors
whether as taxpayers or as private contributors
have for their investment nothing but a mass OF
wreckage.
1t is for the purpose OF putting an end to this
state OF affairs that the coming %election'is to be held.
and the issue on that day will be the retirement OF
public servants who have guided the state into this
norass. and the enactment of laws which will make
lit impossible for others to commit like extrava-
gances. This on the negative side of prevention of
further injury. is coupled with the Inauguration of
an era of real constructive government, in which en-
iterprises undertaken in response to real popular de-
mand will be carried through on their merits, and
in which relief will be had from the burden Of un-
necessary taxation which is bearing so heavily upon
These considerations appeal to men and wom-
len alike. In some respects women have a peculiar
and special interest. because in many cases women
have been the innocent and passive sufferers from
conditions in the creation of which they had NO
voice.
It would be interesting to know in how many
leases women are working under conditions OF hard:
ship, unable TO employ necessary help, or to pur-
chase additions to. the stock OF furniture, and labor
saving appliances for the kitchen, because the man
who handles the finances for the family has kept
Ipouring the family income into the yawning. chasm
of league expenditures.
In this asnect of fbe subject women have .
special interest in addition to the general interest
which they share with their husbands and brothers,
This combination Of interest must make its appeal
Ito the thoughtful woman citizen. There is no good
excuse. short Of necessary absence OF physical inca
lpacity. for the absence of 4 male citizen from the
polls on Friday. And. ST there is any difference. it
seems all the more imperative that the women OF
the state should attend the polls and cast their votes
seriously, soberly and as independent American
citizens.