San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-07
WOMEN DEBATE
EQUALITY BILL
| HERE SATURDAY
Advocate Says 1t Would
Bring Liberty Longed for
Since History Began.
CALL 1T SOCIALISTIC
|Opponent Claims Women
Would Have to Pay Hus-
b. bands Debt.

Shall the women of the United
States be given all rights and privileges
Enjoyed by the men?
Yes, says Mrs. William Kemp of
california, prominent suffragist and
member of the National Woman's
Ea6e who believes that women
should be given the liberty for which
hey have longed since history began"
No, says Mrs. r. c. Pleasant, wife
bf former Governor Pleasant Of Louis
ana and a member of the Women's
Conservative League of that state, who
holds that the granting Of blanket
Equality to women would be distinct
menace to men, women and children,
like.
At the home Of Mrs. William Aubrey
N East Laurel street, Saturday after
noon, the blanket equality bill now
before Congress was debated by Mrs.
Kemp and Mrs. Pleasant in the pres
nee of about 80 leading club women
# the city.
Speaking for the affirmative. Mrs.
Kemp said that the National Woman's
'arty had been organized with head
uarters in Washington TO seek the
passage of legislation which would re-
move all remaining forms of woman
objection" She declared that the
lanket equality bill now before Con-
Fress was natural sequel to the
uffrage amendment and predicted its
arly passage.
an advocating the passage of the
lanket equality bill, giving women
quail rights with men," said Mrs.
Kemp, "we do not wish to create the
IMPRESSION that We are unlady-like or
anti-man' in our attitude. We wo-
hen simply are longing for the lib
rty which has been in our hearts
nce the beginning of history.
I'VE must realize that more than
5000 women in the United States
re employed in gainful occupations
nd that many of our sex are diStin-
lishing themselves in many lines of
1deavor.
why, ask. should a woman. for
istance, named Mary Anderson. who
comes celebrated through her talents,
compelled to take the name of say,
RS. Jones, when she marries. To re-
in her maiden name TO my way Of
linking would not be improper and
Prtainly would not destroy the fam
unity as the opponents of the bill
e loud in declaring" ,...- ~
speaker on the negative side.
RS. Pleasant ridiculed the. idea that
omen are inferior to men,
Il never once have considered our
x as being of lower intelligence than
e masculine SEX" she said. "In the
tst place, it is not a matter of sex.
e all know that some men are more
telligent than some women and vice
rsa. .r.
Advocates Of the blanket equality
are telling the people that they
ant II fixed so they can hold office.
pn't they know that there is nothing
Keep them from holding office now?
know for fact that in Louisiana
Texas, and l am sure the same
lbs true in other states, that a wo-
an can hold any state office provid-
she can get the appointment.
Ihen, they want equal educational
portunities. They want to omen
boys schools to the girls and the
is schools to the boys. They even
so FAR as to advocate teaching boys
cook, sweep and sew.
those who ask the passage Of this
tell you that it will help TO pro
te Detter morals. I say to YOU that
can iegislate morals. That has
be taught in the home, at the
pool and in the nress.",
Mrs. Pleasant. created auite a stir
en- she characterized the bin as be.
socialistic.
Socialism first strikes at the home.
said. "The fountain head of this
vement to secure equal rights is a
OF socialism. 1t will not promote
lty In the home. the arguments of
advocates Notwithstanding.
Mrs. Pleasant closed her argument
h the statement that the supreme
rt of Wisconsin has ruled that the
nket equality law holds the wife re-
|nsible for the debts of the family. j
n her rebuttal, Mrs. Kemp said that