The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-11-17
PROMISES DEMOCRACY
WHEN WOMEN WORK
AGAINST BOSS RULE

Better government will not come un-
til the women wake to their duty as
voters, form political standards, edu-
cate themselves in citizenship, and
organize their efforts to support COM
petent candidates, Mrs. James W.
Morrison, of Chicago, declared in an
address to women voters at the Nor
risson-Reeves library Thursday after
noon.
If America, If democracy, mean any
thing to the women, they must get out
and work for it, she declared, and
add the task of lettering their govern
ment to the dull, everyday chores they
already are doing. Neglect and in
difference in this will be paid for in
increased taxes and bad government.
The politicians. she pointed out, are
at the game 365 days Of the year, and
to beat them and destroy their power
the voters must work continually and
conscientiously.
The women of American must real
ize the importance of their RESPONSE
bility as voters, Mrs Morrison de-
clared. "Women cannot sit at home
and cherish high standards. Getting
the vote did not change single law
on the statute books or erase single
abuse"
Submerge Democracy
Democracy is creaking if not crack
ing. 1t is getting under the influence
of men who are using it for means
we do not understand We are ques
tioning the organization of our society
whether institutions are functionine
as they should. Never before has
democracy been adequately tried out,
tho speaker said. "Only half Of the
nation has voted heretofore. Now VIC
have a potentially complete democracy
with all the citizens voting. To make
them realize the importance of theil
task is our next duty"
Abiding to the political bosses,
the speaker said that their advantag,
over the people lay in their knowledge
of the technique, Gins and outs" anf
workings of the political machine anc
various offices. Ordinarily the politi
cal boss is characterized by great stu
pidity, his power lying in knowledg:
of the tricks of the trade" rather thar
in super-intelligence or brains, sh'
said.
'T{e is at the political game 365 days
OF the year. 1t is his bread and butter
TO us it is a sacrifice as we take TIM
from other things. Consequently n
viii always have a little advantage
over US. Relatively speaking, though
there are not many of them, so if We
get down to business, we won't b.
ruled indefinitely by them"
Primary Important
The primary is one of the vita
points where women can begin thei
work, Mrs Morrison said. "Theri
are" she continued, flaws you war
passed. 1t is necessary to find out tn.
standards you should be able to eX
pect, what you have a right to expec
from a senator, mayor, or any othe
office-holder. What such a person
should be able to do.
1.-The League of Women voters fur
nishes an opportunity for educationa
work. Through it's organization it /
possible to get an education in tn
fundamentals of government. You Cd
form your standards in the forur
where the pros and cons of funds
mental questions which should b
party issues can be thrashed out"
1.-THE other job of the League @
Women Voters is of selecting an
electing men who measure up to a
high a standard as it is possible t
maintain. The women must vote 9
the primary to have a choice in car
didates. They will only have choic
between two poor men if they hay
not gone out and shaved to bring goo
candidates forward. The question {
politics is one of compromise at mos
times. You vote not for the best ma
but for the best available for office
Urges Mixed Ticket
Mrs. Morrison urged that wome
not vote a straight ticket. THAT
she said, sis just what the politician
want us to do, so they will have I
all labelled as Democrats or Repub
cans" do we want that?" she que
toned. Does it have anything to (
with democracy? There is no poss
bility of getting the politicians to p
up better men unless you show the
You won't vote for bad man."
Mrs. MORRISON upheld the prima
law, saying that as long as it stan'
on the statute books it will be m
chine by which the voters can nal
their will felt Under the old conve
ton system of nominations such w
not the case, she added. Refusal
vote for bad men at election time
Tie OulN CDtCh NOllcu Nstl obNAlA
political machines, Mrs. Morrison {
clared.
Party policies do not matter
state or city elections. Mrs. Morr
son pointed out City and state of
Gals are not in a position where the
opinion on party issues counts. TIL
should be selected from the star
point of whether they are hard-wol
ing and reasonably competent. Par
policies do matter in selecting pre-
dent or members of congress. no