South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-02-27
BY O. J. COOPER.


What are south Bend women ko-
ing 20 do in politics?
This seems % be a fair question
N view OF the coming primary cleo
ton next May In which at least two
political parties viii name caudi-
dates for the municipal election next
November
Will South Bend women use their
own good judgement in the exercise
OF heir newly acquired franchise. or
IS Il too soon for them 20 fully real
lie their new responsibility OF cld-
Zenship?
OF course women were permitted
20 vote at the last general elections.
and many Of them did throughout
the nation. Many OF them voted in
South Bend, but records show that
many who should have exercised
their franchise failed 20 do so for
one reason or another.
And Il IL undoubtedly safe % as
sumo that even though they cast
their ballots for some party candi-
dates isst fall many women did not
exercise the full responsibility Of
their citizenship. And this was not
particularly the fault OF the women.
Suffrage hung IN the balance almost
until the 11th hour. and although
the battle for Il had been waged for
years, many women were not really
prepared for Il when Il did not go
the way many professional poIiu-
clans wanted II 70, and became a
law.
But IL Is different now. Women
voters In South Bend. as well as IN
Indiana cities generally where pri-
mares and elections FOR municipal
candidates are 10 De held during the
present year, have had an Opportun-
ity to fully realize that their voting
rights are equal 10 III ose OF the men.
They have long had the opportunity
70 realize that their thinking and
reasoning powers are equai to those
OF the men. And in view Of all Of
>this comes the question:
What are women going to do in
polittcs7
Are they going 20 think and reason
and vote according 20 their ow n
powers. or are they going TO allow
themselves to be governed by other
influences which are numerous?
Two Influences Dangerous.
There are two influences of the
many women are beginning 10 real
lie are the most dangerous. One Is
flattery and the other partisanship,
and Il is q question which one is
the most dangerous.
Both will be played TO the utmost
by the professional politicians both
in the primaries and in the elections.
Already fIattery Is being used I'm an
effort 10 influence voters, and par
sisanship will always be employed.
But what are the women going to
gay TO those who attempt TO exert
these influences? Are they going
10 think for themselves. and vote the
way their reason and conscience tell
them tot
Many think they are. They say
that women are taking a deep in
teresn in civic ana political ques-
tions. They say that women have
long realized that something is
wrong with our political system. and
that they are now beginning TO real
ize what that something is.
Put Queries 10 Husbands.
IL is said that in many South BeIAl
homes husbands are being asked
smany pertinent questions Of a politi-
cal nature. II IS said that husbands
and fathers as we'll are being asked
why It IL that laws are not enforced,
and why those who are resp onstble
Tor the enforcement Of these laws
are even being talked about as can
didates for reelection.
Women are also said just now to
be very inquisitive about other
things that have 20 do with civic
and political matters. but the specu-
lation Is as TO how far they Will
carry this present inquisiuveness.
Many persons fear that when the
time comes for real action from the
women, the influences that will in
evttabiv be brought 10 bear VIII
counter balance the determination or
women voters 70 think and reason
and vote according to their own in
telldgence-
There are others, however. who
r,,Ilv believe that South Bend wo-