Evening star., 1928-04-01

able woman. But while they have been out
standing women. none OF them has yet recorded
herself as an outstanding member Of Congress.
This Is easily explained 1t Is pointed out, by
the fact that few members OF Congress have
ever become prominent or outstanding figures
in the national legislature within two terms.
In the House. especially, a rather lengthy ap-
premiership is required before one may climb
to the seats of the mighty. 1t is not surprising
that in the short space OF 10 years since Miss
Rankin came to town, or in eight years since
adoption of the nineteenth amendment, women
have failed to achieve any great prominence as
members of the national legislature. The re-
markable thing to consider from the Woman'S
viewpoint. is the fact that within this short
space Of time eight women have been elected to
the national legislature.
The sentimental impuse-considered in some
quarters as passing fad-that sent five women
to the House to take the places of members of
their families has recorded itself In the choice
of the two women who have served as governors.
Mrs Nellie Tayloe Ross of Wyoming was elected
to serve the uneXpred term Of her husband, who
died in Office. But while she ran and was de-
feaed for reelection. she made better record as
governor than Mrs. M. A. Ferguson of Texas. whose
various doings gave the country more than one
good laugh. No State has yet elected a
as lieutenant governor, possibly because the
chief requirement of such office is to wear
sword on parade days and otherwise look official
According to the National League of Women
Voters Massachusetts, is the only State which
has conferred upon woman the right to sit
with the governors council which in Massachu-
setts possesses unusual powers OF checking the
governor In such matters State expenditures
cemency and appointments. Mrs. c. B. Smith
is chairman of the State civil service commits
sion OF New York, and such is a member
OF the governors cabinet" position however
that carries none of the prerogatives RESPONSE
bliities Of member of the Massachusetts body
Six Of the States-Texas New Mexico. New
York Delaware. Kentucky and South Dakota
have had woman secretaries of state and of
these four OF them are still in office. Wisconsin
n Of fofa
While many of the States have made women
assistant attorneys general. none of them has
yet put woman In the chief Office In 1926
Indiana elected woman treasurer and Wiscon-
SIN now has woman assistant treasurer.
Arizona and Mississippi have woman State
auditors
Colorado, Idaho Iowa North Dakota wy
oming and Washington are among the States
that have made women superintendents of pub
lie instruction. Oklahoma has woman warden
OF penal institution for men, Wisconsin and
Minnesota have women on the State board of
control, while large number of women have
been made members OF State boards of regents
woman serves commissioner of charities and
corrections in Oklahoma Michigan has a
woman member OF the State board of agricul-
ture Caryll v. Hoffman of South Dakota is a
deputy state game warden, the only woman to
noid such an office in the United States al
though Connecticut has a woman secretary OF
the State board of fisheries and game
According to the National League of Women
Voters survey. the election and appointment of
women on State boards and commissions in
S.eases S.s.s every year The choice of women to
otate legislatures in positively alarming The
names OF l26 women are carried on the rosters
OF Legislatures of the States for l99a IA of
mem serving as State senators and the remain
ing as members of the lower houses Connactic,,.
leads the list with Is women in its IecisIatl,re
New Hampshire runs close second with Ia ana
ONO third. with IL, The Eastern States have
more women In their Legislatures than the
Western States. and the New England States
-