Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 210, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 August 1920 — WOMEN IN POLITICS. [ARTICLE]

WOMEN IN POLITICS.

(by Mrs. Josepn B. Kealing)

It is entirely fitting- that our women should align themselves with the political party which best understands their problems, and which is doing most to obtain legislation in their behalf. Our women, of course, want to support the party which has the soundest set of principles, but they also have a right to expect that the political party with which they affiliate shall appreciate and understand those problems of direct interest and concern to b 6 decided by campaign orators; it is a question to be viewed in the light, of what has been done and what is being done, by thC two parties, to improve women’s conditions. A woman who gives any service or produces anything of value to humanity, is a woman who works. She may keep her hown house, care for her own children, make dresses for her neighbors or shoes for the world. But whether she operates in her own house or in a factory, she is entitled to the highest form of protection that the government can give her. Protect* Women’* Interest*. The Republican party has always recognized this principle, both in the fostering of humanitarian measures and as a policy of good statesmanship. This vital political policy has been worked out in legislation, both in the nation and in the several states, by the Republicans. Reference to the accomplishment of such vital legislation as the minimum wage law, mothers’ pensions, limitation of working hours, the protection of mothers and the prohibition of night work proves that the Republican party has long stood for such reforms and has actually accomplished them in many states. On the other hand, an examination of the acts reveal that the Democratic party has been sadly lacking in such matters, when compared with the' records of the Republican party. • A* the Record Stand*. Constructive work kept up unceasingly by the Republicans has brought about minimum wage laws for women in nine Republican states, in spite of the Democratic opposition. There are only two Democratic states with such a law. Twenty-two Republican and only six Democratic states have mothers* pensions; women are not required to clean moving machinery in eight Republican states, and seven Democratic states. Leave of absence to women in case of disability by reason of childbirth is provided for under the laws of Republican states only; Connecticut gives eight weeks’ leave, Massachusetts and Vermont six weeks, and New York four weeks. Nineteen Republican and only eight Democratic states will consent to have their women working in mines; ten Republican states have law prohibitiong women from being employed at night work in certain occupations, while there are only two such Democratic states. Twenty-seven Republican states limit tiie hours of women in industry from 48 to 60 per week while only sixteen Democratic states have such laws. Women are prohibited from working at night in certain occupations and within certain hours in nine Republican states. Not a single Democratic state offers its women such protection. These facts speak for themselves. Democratic orators and writers can not alter them. When women cast a ballot for a party in November they are literally trusting their living conditions and means of livelihood to that party.' According to the fact shown in the above review, there can be" little question but that the Republican party stands foremost in safeguarding the interests of the womanhood of the land. Importance of Registration. Next Saturday is registration day. Every Republican woman Should see that .not only her own vote is registered, bnt should exert every effort to have registered the Republican women of her neighborhood, her office, her shop and her circle of friends and acquaintances generally. Those women who do not understand clearly the requirements for registration should communicate with their Republican precinct committeeman or woman, and get propdr instruction. AU Marion county women may register at/my time by at the Republican headbarters on the fifth floor of the Lemeke annex, where forms will

be provided and assistance will be given to all who apply for registration. Republican county chairmen everywhere have the blanks. Every woman who expects to perform the obligations of citizenship will vote in the general election, Nov. 2. There are too many important questions involved in the election- too many issues needing the guidance of intelligent womanhood, to make it excusable for any woman to forego the duty of casting a ballot on the side of. what she believes to be right and proper. If they would exercise a potent voice in governmental affairs they must chose their party and stand by their conviction. Nothing is to be gained by vacillation and indecision on political questions; let the women take their time about forming their conclusions; but let them be positive of their position when they ,do come to- decision. A Duty for Every Woman. If there is a hesitancy on the part of some women to join a political party, dt is because those women fail -to understand politics, and failing in this, they fail to understand government. I can not see a-single argument against women participating in the election of public administrators, and I.see no reason why any woman should not be proud to take part in the political and civic affairs of her community and her country. It is idle to say that women will be contaminated in politics. If women believe there is anything in politics today that should not be, certainly the only Jractical way to remove the alleged armful influence is for women. to vote out the elements to which they object. - _ Political parties are > the media through which thinking men and women enforce the principles for controlling and improving the influences which surround - the place they call home. Certainly there could be no stronger demand for the participation of women in politrices. When it is remembered that political parties are the instruments that offer us the opportunity, as individuals, to express and apply our ideals in patriotism and ci vie righteousness through government by the people - and for the people, it must become clear that women can not conscientiously ignore the responsibilities of suffrage. . Women owe it to their homes and to their children, to participate in politics, as members of a political party, and I earnestly believe that they <ym best achieve the ambitions and ideals of - American womanhood —in so far as the politics of any party can bring them to realization, but affiliation with the Republican party. z Group Actibn Necessary. We all know that individuals are most effective for social service when acting in groups, united on fundamental principles, even though they may differ on matters of detail and expediency. Independent action is futile. The only way to get our ideas embodied into law, is to elect legislators and other ofofficials who stand for what we want and the only way to do this, is to vote with a large number of people who believe in the same principals -we do, and this means the support of the particular party that espouses the principles which seem to the individual proper essential and just. Those who constitute the party membership, not thbse who remain outside the party, determine what the party’s purpose shall be and what its policies should become. Women voters who do not take advantage of the right and privileges of suffrage are dodging personal responsibilities just as surely as if they neglected their duties in their homes. • . „ In my opinion, now is the time for the women of America to make themselves felt in the affairs of state, more directly and forcefully than ever before, and I- can not emphasize too strongly this one thing—if women are to become real factors we must work from inside the lines of our party. We can not afford to be "on the outside lookin.” Surely the party of Lincoln, McKinley,. Roosevelt and Harding will receive the enthusiastic support of the women voters. ’; - —