The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1930-10-01
DEcENcY AND HONOR AT STAKE

DECENCY AND HONOR Al STAKE
In my heart feel, however, that the
great issue before the people of Illinois IS
much deeper than that of wet versus
dry" There are specific differences be-
tween the other candidates and myself.
What I have in mind now, is the issue
which underlies all issues, namely that
of decency and honor in our political sys-
tenn and the control of party machines
by the people rather than the control OF
the people by party machines.
Many dry Democrats will vote for me
for senator. have already had assurance
Of much organized and individual support
from these dry democrats. But 1 think
the thing that pleases me most is TO re-
eeive such letter as had the other day
from one of the most eminent lawyers in
Chicago, who said that he was going to
vote wet on the referendum, but would
put a cross in front of my name for SEN
ator. He gave his reason in these Words
What 1 am opposed to beyond every
thing else is the readiness to desert prin-
ciples for supposed political advantage.
In it that lack of moral fibre which is
our greatest danger today and it is be-
cause by your record and your public an
nouncement you represent the paramount
issue Of political honesty that shall sup
port your candidacy for the United
States senate"
WOMEN IN PUBLIC OFFICE
I suppose I ought, before closing to say
a few words on the subject of women in
public Office, particularly in view OF the
fact that if am made senator, I will be
the first woman in the history Of the
United States senate to sit there as an
elected representative of sovereign
state I realize the great honor that such
an event would be to me or to any wom-
xyyIoO f1aO ir11t fol- r
realize, moreover, that the womanhood Of
the nation will be honored by the simple
fact that one of their sex has at last been
recognized as competent to bear the re-
sponsibility of that high office.
But I wish to say with solemn sim
certify that believe woman seeking any
public office should be subject to the same
standards of faithfulness and political
honor as are applied to men. A woman
candidate should be measured solely by
her fitness to hold office and her adher-
ence % principles otherwise her success
will reflec discredjt tl}o1 sac @oa 5soo5
of the entire nation
AS we contemplate the possibility Of
the first woman entering the United
States senate, every man, as well as every
woman, will agree with me that it is i'm
portant beyond all measure that this
woman should be able to enter the SEN
ate Win clean fdIQS. SIl6 VIII De IIlt OU-
ject of more critical analysis than any
other senator just by the mere fact that
she is a woman.
What, it will be asked, does this Wor-
an senator bring from the womanhood of
the land into the halls of state? What eff
feet upon legislative processes and po-
litical ideals will her presence in the high
est legislative body in the land have upon
our national life? It must be clear to all
that the seeking of such an honor by any
woman should be carefully guarded by
the most circumspect and honorable
methods for it's attainment.
That the first woman to knock at the
door of the senate should be halted there
to answer any serious charge of expendi-
ture money in reaching her goal, does
not comport with the hope which all good
men have cherished as they looked for
ward to the entrance of women into our
political life While I seek to be elected
United States senator, I recognize the
peculiar responsibility which I know the
first woman senator will have to bear as
the representative of the Womanhood of
the nation.
THE PEOPLES CAMPAIGN
have determined that the financing
of my campaign shall be on the most
modest basis. have announced my can