Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1922-05-31
Women Make Important
Debut.

Women Make Important /.
Debut.
The state Democratic convention
has always served the women OF
South Carolina like secret society.
one of the holy of holies into which
they could not enter. When was a
little girl the upper story of The Ad-
vertiser building in Edgefeld was
used as the Masonic headquarters,
and sometimes l would go up into the
rooms and there I would see all sorts
of paraphernalia in colors and some
cornucopias, and even then learned
the meaning of the word and that it
meant horn of plenty. Then I re-
member Cor was it childish imagi-
nation?) that in one dark place there
was a deep dark well, and some one
told me if the Masons did certain
things, they would be put into it, and
the weird and strange mysterious
sensations which arose within me as
1 thought about it still recurs to my
memory.
Enter Place of Mystery.
1t was with feeling something
like this that some of the women en-
tered for the first time the portals
of the state Democratic convention of
South Carolina.
Others attended because they had
been elected and knew that their
presence would help to break down
the prejudice which still exists in the
minds of some people as to the de-
STABILITY of the entrance of the wo-
manhood of South Carolina into
politics.
Others were there because they
love these exciting scenes as much
as men and some will become aspir-
ants for various Offices because they
are willing to give themselves for
such increase of good.
Tell Old, Old Story.
One man said before reaching Co.
lumbia that he didn't object especial
ly to women entering politics, but
that in his judgment politics was so
low that no effort on the part of men
or women would be able to improve
conditions through politics, but only
through the home. Women have
heard this from time immemorial and
they above all others have desired
improved conditions and have done
their part to make the home what it
ought to be, but as soon as the child
reaches school years, then politics,
which means the science of govern
ment, comes in and takes a hand in
the rearing of the child. All school
trustees have been men. Men have
selected the teachers who would
make the environment for our chill
dren five and six hours of each day.
Men have selected the ruling Of
ficers of our towns and cities, the
municipal heads who have made and
executed the laws which govern our
streets, and along these "treacherous
highways" many have lost their way
forever. The proper administration
of politics can and will improve con-
ditions and make safer paths for our
children to tread.
Lightly Sprinkled About.
AS we entered the hall of the
house of representatives there was
seen a sprinkling of women. The
number was about so. Some were the
chairman of their delegation and du-
ring the session most of the women
had few words to say on some of
the measures.
Mrs. Nellie Ellerbe of Marion was
made one of the secretaries of the
convention and sat on the platform
during the session.
The first motion made by wo-
man on the floor of the state Demo-
cratic convention was offered by Miss
Kate Wofford of Laurens, who nomi-
mated Miss Viii Lou Gray as presi-
dent pro tenn of the convention. This
motion received a second and would
have been passed but Miss Gray de-
clined to serve. She said that at these
matters she was novice and her
nomination being unexpected, she
felt that if as woman she exercised
this privilege for the first time, it
should ha we'll done Her DELEGATION