Americus Times Recorder

Women in Politics

In another column on this page today is an interesting letter to the editor from D. G. Holloway, of Plains, which merits the closest reading and thought, dealing as it does with the question of woman suffrage.

We do not believe that there should be discrimination against any candidate because of sex.

There are positions in city, county and state government which because of the nature of the duties required, could not be efficiently administered by a woman.

On the other hand there are very many positions in city county, state and nation which may be filled as competently by women as men. It is these positions in which there should be no discrimination because of sex.

The editor of the Times-Recorder favored full suffrage for women many years before suffrage was granted by constitutional amendment. We believe that a woman capable of rearing a male child is capable of voting alongside that child when he has reached maturity.

We believe that the participation of women in politics will tend to cleanse politics.

We do not believe that women will be so likely to be led by blind partisan prejudice as men.

On questions that are strictly moral, we believe that women are as capable—possibly more capable—than men in judging right from wrong.

As Mr. Holloway points out, our boys and girls are taught by women almost entirely until they are 18 years of age. Certainly, if woman is competent to teach, to train, to love and to guide the potential voter, she is capable of handling the ballot or of holding office under the suffrage of men and women.

There are those who say that because politics is rotten because there is a lack of cleanliness about polling places, women should stay away. If politics is "rotten," the women will help cleanse them. If polling places are unsanitary, dirty and unclean, they will demand that this fault is corrected.

The greatest possible safety for the future lies in the careful exercise of your franchise. We believe every man should vote in every election; we believe that every woman should vote in every election. We believe that husband and wife, with adult son and daughter if there be those in the home—should consult together, weigh carefully every question and every candidate. The fireside family political conference will, in our opinion, do much to cleanse politics.

The woman candidate should receive the same consideration as her male competitor. She should NOT be discriminated against because she is a woman, nor should she receive your vote for no other reason than her sex.

It is your privilege and your duty to vote for the candidate, irrespective of sex, who is most capable of rendering the greatest service to the people, and it is such candidate that should receive your vote and support.