Evening star., 1933-04-17
BY DOLLY GAM.


Women are in politics to stay. While
there are certain functions in politics
for which physical strength and mascu-
line mentality are better suited, women
excel in other directions through quail
tiles they alone possess. They are more
patient of the personal discomfort, in
conveniences and minor annoyances of
electioneering or campaigning. and IL:
official posts the feminine point of view
is not infrequently an Incompatible
asset.
During the years of crusading for
women's rights. before the nineteenth
amendment was effective, I was not all
advocate on either side Interested in
politics because of my brothers posi-
ton. I had no ardent desire to vote.
On the other hand. did not get ex-
stay at home" But since the privilege
of voting was awarded my sex / believe
it should be exercised with the same
conscientiousness woman gives other
duties.
I was in Topeka when the women
suffrage workers were making a drive
on the Legislature, and one day cir
cular of the anti-suffragists was placed
on each lawmakers desk. I was cred
tied with this by the suffrage leaders
AS I had gone to Kansas on private
business for my brother I could not
explain why was there. knew moth
ing about the circular. but my denial
was futile. The Suffragists abused me
roundly.
While I was outside the suffrage
movement, my brother declared for 1t
from the beginning Long before the
nineteenth amendment Kansas women
voted in elections affecting State Off
GERS. When brother was candidate
for the United States Senate in 1914
they took a full part.
The political leaders were much dis
turbed, fearing the only successful can
didateS would be the handsome men.
tion would be made between bache-
know whether the women's wrath
would be visited upon the owner of an
automobile, moustache or divorce.
Some candidates feared failure to go
to church would weigh against them.
I attended a meeting where a can
didate, tall and gaunt. walked on the
platform, piously crossed his hands
and said Ladies, I stand for every
thing that's nice" He was showed
under.
During the campaign We wrote
friend of brothers for list Of voters
in a certain district. When it came,
there was not woman's name on it.
We called the mans attention to the
omission Il didn't forget the women" >"
he answered. Il thought it better not
to get them stirred up"
Vcf;rv for Individuals
1t seems to me that women. on the
whcle, study the issues in an election
as closely as the men. The trouble with
women, in my opinion, is that they
are likely to vote for individuals rather
than issues.
I do not believe in stressing sex in
politics. Women like the same speeches.
believe in the same things, and do more
their greatest assets is ability to run
a campaign effectively on about half
as much as a man.
Campaigning has developed elo-
quent speakers among women. One is
Mrs Ruth Bryan Owen, daughter OF
William Jennings Bryan. Mrs. Mabel
Walker Willebrandt. former Assistant
Attorney General has few, II any.
super;ors as a speaker.
So many women have reached domi-
nant places in politics that it is i'm
possible to record all their accomplish
mentS.
1t is a far cry from mere participa-
tion in elections to the time, only IL
years later, when a woman enters the
Presidents cabinet. The appointment
of Miss Frances Perkins as Secretary
of Labor is another milestone in the
political progress of our sex. I am no
lone prophet in predicting that women
will soon be occupying many OF the
highest posts in the land.
Discussion of distinguished women
in Washington naturally includes the
White House. There have been 10 ladies
Of the White House and Presidents, in
cluding the new Democratic administra-
ton. since I mbved to Washington in
1898 OF the Presidents wives four
have been my good friends-Mrs. Taft,
Mrs. Harding. Mrs. Coolidge and Mrs.
Hoover. With Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt
and the second Mrs. Woodrow Wilson I
have had a pleasant acquaintanceship,
and admire them greatly. Mrs. Grover
Cleveland, Mrs. William Mckinley, the
first Mrs Woodrow Wilson. and Mrs.
Franklin D. Roosevelt I have known
only casually.
AS a newcomer to Washington I
heard much OF the beautiful Mrs. Cleve-
land, and once I met her at recep-
ton The social activity Mrs. Cleveland
enjoyed was followed by the quiet years
of Mrs. -dcKinley, an invalid. Then
came the Theodore Roosevelts, and with
them period of gayety unsurpassed in
met President Roosevelt,