Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-11-08
WOMEN IN POLITICS
Ths s0slbralths Of Donegal" Had The
First Woman Political Leader. :
Martha Hughes Cannon Got
Fifst Senatorial Vote.
Dr.. Mary Walker \
: b 0EOROE NOx MCCAIN

-
WOMEN Of Pennsylvania who yesterday
.on q ac,.rnos sss s s 70 ,ssns vss .9' What
other women sowed 200 years ago:
The beginnings Of women's activity IN the
way Of politics date back far beyond tne
nrst meetings held between 1910 and 1850
Perhaps the most t,s; Conspicuous instance Of
"Pennsylvania, Geneaiosies."
Lancaster County. which yesterday was
one OF the most bitterly contested con.
scene, Of the episode which DR.. 4csls
A woman Of the "Galbraiths Of Donegal"
n.:ss.l ,sS Aav ,.au osess and q: q:
the General Assembly" says Dr. Esie.
.."At that time none but freeholders were
was the town Of Lancaster, where all voters
We" Me eossf ds1brs,tSE 20 e. took no .ct,y. par. in
the canvass himself. but his wife mounted
her favorite mare, Nelly, and rode out
through the Scotch. Irish settlement, and
persuaded the men to 90 with her to the
county town.
''She appeared at the courthouse leading
2 procession OF mounted men, whom she
halted and addressed. The effect was that
her husband was triumphantly elected"
TN ENGLAND as early as 100 years ago
women. especially those Of the higher
social social class. took an active interest in
This was natural. since peers and leading
society Of their day.
Social channels ran to the brim with
female politics in the eighteenth century.
Lady Palmerston, Lady Waldegrave. and
parties with which their husbands were
Stories Of contemporaneous writer's tell Of
the activities Of the beautiful Duchess Of
Devonshire in the realm Of politics.
She openly electioneered at the polls in
favor Of Charles James Fox.
>, As rule. though, 1t was not considered
ventionalities.
The Primrose League Tor both men md
S"nSsa s"s ons of the 9 mos,
political organizations ever known in the
British Empire.
-, Almost equally important was Mrs.
Gladstone's "Women's Liberal Federation"
established to sustain her husband in pro.
MRS. REBECCA FELTON,, Of Georgia,
XA appointed by the Governor Of that
first Of her sex to have that distinction.
The first Of the sex. however. to be voted
for for the United States Senate was
Western woman.
ture in Salt Lake City a United States
Senator was to be named.
On one ballot Senator D. Fl. Peery, Of
Salt Lake, cast his vote for Martha Hughes
Cannon.
It was the first vote ever cast for q
woman for the limited Staten Ssnats
TT IS not altogether fair to condemn the
L recent militant suffragists as the first Of
cause.
Earlier advocates Of the rights Of women
some Of them at least-got pretty de-
monstrative at times.
DR.. Mary Walker was most obstreperous
on occasions, and required to be set right at
frequent intervals.
The famous Judge Jeremiah Black. OF
Pennsylvania. was an eye witness of one of
DR.. Walkers tantrums. and, it is said, it
set him till his death against woman's
1t occurred on q Southern steamer bound
from Galveston. Tex, to Houston shortly
after the Civil War.
About two minutes before the gangplank
small individual in nondescript attire
climbed out with n collection of shawls,
bandboxes. carpet bags, etc.
1t was Or. Mary Walker dressed in
trousers, frock coat. plug hat and all, on
her way to the Houston Fair.
A FTER dinner Judge Black and several
modious after deck talking. Several ladies'
were seated nearby.
Three of the men were smoking.
Suddenly a womnns voice cried out:
Throw those nasty cigars away" 1t was
The men smoked on, paying no attention,
as the boats rules permitted smoking on
the after deck.
Again the voice rose, more emphatic this
II want you men to throw thos. nasty
cigars away! They are offensive"
One of the men turned to the other women
present and inquired:
"Is our smoking NJ, oan offensive. sn't ladics'" ;
men," was the reply
Another denuncation broke from the doc.
tor, when one Of the men started to reply,
"Sir," he began.
thoroughly excited woman, II am Dr..
Mary Walker and don't pretend that you do
not know my SEX"
HlHE deck was in commotion when q
i steward arrived.
DR.. Walker Immediately laid hands IN
him and demanded that those dirty
ioafers'' be required to throw their cigars
sbut smoking is allowed on the after.
deck" expostulated the steward
"You are no gcntlr,nen.'' shouted the
doctor as the steward backed away, saying
"I'I send the captain up, ma m. and he'll
Az It to suit you.'
Presently the captain appeared.
He heard repetition Of the outbreak and
demands, while about fifty passengers,
among them the great Pennsylvania iurist.
stood listening greatly amused,
Quietly placing one hand on DR..
walkers shoulder the skipper said:
II am captain of this ship. My word ia
Inv here. If you don't 60 to your state