South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-02-27
What VIII South Bend
Women DO In Politics
In Elections OF 1921?
Are New Voters Going Think For Themselves Or Will They
Fall Victims to Flattering and Partisan Articles
of Schemng Politicians?

men are az last awakened. or that
they are at least beginning 10 arouse
themselves from political slumber,
and are about 20 take an active part
on their own initiative in those mat
ters that affect the community as a
whole.
40 sooner had the women Of the
nation been granted the right OF
franchise throughout the nation
than willy politicians who feared for
their own danger and for that OF the
system they advocate began to ex-
ert pressure tended 20 counteract
any good influence women might
exert in politics.
Politicians Stratcgists.
The eirst act Of politicians Of both
leading political parties was 10 ap-
peal 70 partisanship. Women were
placed on important committees.
and in important positions In party
councils. There were chairwomen
Of this and chairwomen of that. but
10 was always noticed that every ap-
pointment that was made, and every
important position that was filled
had the partisanship motive behind
Il. This was true with very few ex-
cepuons There were "A few women
throughout the country who ap-
parently were ahead Of their time.
They saw what was really being
done, and they combatted it as best
they could.
South Bend was no exception. The
same political activities regarding
women's place in politics that char
aCterized the rest Of the nation were
just as apparent here as elsewhere.
And the women were not 20 blame
either. 1t was all new 10 them. They
did the only natural thing They
followed the line Of least resistance.
FTattcry subtle Weapon.
Then after the fall elections were
all over, and II came time 20 organ
lie for other contests for political
Office, leaders apparently saw shat
craftsmanship might be quite as strong
an influence as il had in the i'm
mediate past. They began TO cast
about for something else by which
women. although they might have
might see fit. could ne influenced
to lend themselves politically 70 the
same old system.
FIattery, perhaps. is the most
subtle weapon known TO man, 1t has
been used effectively since Mother
Ewes time Already can be heard the
cry Of the politicians, whether it
comes directly from them or whether
It gains momentum through indirect
channels. that women should be can
4 L. ties for office in the coming mum
icipal elections.
Women know full well that they
are just as capet.a rs men are TO
fill public offices, and they know
too, that in many instances they
are even better fitted than men for
the discharge Of their responsible
ties TO their community. But they
also know that there is no deep
rooted desire upon the part Of man
10 give up their prerogatives Of Of
fiSe-holdfng just yet. They know
further that if there are really any
women elected to office in Indiana
cities next fall, it viii be at the dis
comfiture OF the men. Then arises
the question:
''WIv are women being urged to
run for office just at this time?'
Wonder at Motives.
This same question is being asked
bv many intelligent women them
selves. They admit that there
should be no real reason why they
should not be candidates for office
II they want 10, but they do not
know Just why confirmed pOliti-
clans should urge them TO enter the
race for office unless it would be in
the hope OF getting votes. votes for
some particular political party. And
then again comes the question.
What are women going to do in
poItics?'
Are they going 10 work out their
own political salvation in their own
way. or are they going to wait little
longer before they think and reason
and vote according to their own con-
science, joining the men when the
thines the latter stands for are worth
while. and entering their protest by
means Of the ballot when they are
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