The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-06-10

Inc V1S1C OF MIS-. Franklin u.
Roosevelt, wife of the President, to
North Carolina, where she will be
the honor guest of the stalwart citi-
zens of the Eastern section of the
state, at Wallace, is more evidence
of the part women are playing in
public affairs. Like her distinguish
ed husband, Mrs. Roosevelt Utilities
every opportunity to meet and
mingle with people and her many
visits to the state are evidence of
her keen appreciation for North
Carolina, where she is always given
a hearty welcome.
Therefore, the great gathering
scheduled for Wallace on Friday,
with the First Lady as the guest of
honor, gives me long-postponed
opportunity to commend the part
that women generally have in civic
and political functions. No longer do
they just attend banquets and ap-
plaud the words of mere man; they
now have an active part in the ar
rangements and share the response
bilities. And their activities are hav-
ing a wholesome effect on these af-
fairs. The hands that keep order in
the home and office are truly exer-
cising beneficial effect on public
activities of every character.
The part that women are playing
in national affairs is no better evil
denced than in the records of our
great national conventions. In this
connection, it is interesting to note
that at he Democratic National Con-
venion of 1912-the first attended
by President Roosevelt-there were
only two women delegates. But at
the convention of 1882, which nomi-
mated our illustrious President,
there were 208 women delegates and
more at Philadelphia in 1886. And
everyone comedies that the presence
of the fine women who are leaders
in the affairs of their respective
states has meant more orderly and
pleasant gatherings of national
leaders.
1t is all evidence that our country
is beginning to make greater use
of the variety of abilities and capa-
cities possessed by women, and many
of the limitations which were char
acteristic of the position of women
in our earlier order are now being
overcome.
Except for an aged lady from
Georgia who held office for one
ceremonial day, no woman had been
either appointed or elected to the
United States Senate until the au-
tumn of 1881, when Arkansas elect
ed the widow of statesman to sue
coed her husband for the unexpired
term. Since, that distinguished lady,
Senator Hattie Carraway, has been
elected in her own right and is now
serving with honor. Her daily pres
ence in the Senate is an inspiration
to her colleagues. In addition to be-
ing chairman of a committee-the
Committee on Enrolled Bills-she
also serves on the Committees on
d11O SS
and the Library. It is needless to say
that she bears her share of Sena-
torial responsibilities.
In the House of Representatives
are a number of active women who
merit their offices. It is a far cry
from the furore created in 1916
when Montana elected the first
women to the National Legislature.
But whether serving in public Of
flee, at a desk, in the home or on
the farm, women are proving their
right to assume greater responsible
ties and have greater recognition.
And the visit of Mrs. Roosevelt to
North Carolina, where the First
Lady will mingle with Carolina
women who are first in the hearts
of their communities, is more evil
dence of the part women have and
deserve in our affairs, national,
state and local.