The Man‐Made World
What really horrifies the popular mind at the thought of women in politics, is the picture of woman as a “practical politician;” giving her time to it as a business, and making money by it, in questionable, or unquestionable, ways; and, further, as a politician in office, as sheriff, alderman, senator, judge.
The popular mind becomes suffused with horror at the first idea, and scarcely less so at the second. It pictures blushing girlhood on the Bench; tender motherhood in the Senate; the housewife turned
“ward‐heeler;” and becomes quite sick in contemplation of these abominations.
No educated mind, practical mind, no mind able and willing to use
its faculties, need be misled for a moment by these sophistries.
There is absolutely no evidence that women as a class will rush into
“practical politics.” Where they have voted longest they do not manifest this dread result. Neither is there any proof that they will all desire to hold office; or that any considerable portion of them will; or that, if they did, they would get it.
We seem unconsciously to assume that when women begin to vote,
men will stop; or that the women will outnumber the men; also that, outnumbering them, they will be completely united in their vote; and, still further, that so outnumbering and uniting, they will solidly vote for a ticket composed wholly of women candidates.
Does anyone seriously imagine this to be likely?
This may be stated with assurance; if ever we do see a clever, designing, flirtatious, man‐twisting woman; or a pretty, charming, irresistable young girl, elected to office—it will not be by the votes of women!
Where women are elected to office, by the votes of both men and women, they are of suitable age and abilities, and do their work well.
They have already greatly improved some of the conditions of local
politics, and the legislation they advocate is of a beneficial character.
What is the true relation of women to the state?
It is precisely identical with that of men. Their forms of service may vary, but their duty, their interest, their responsibility, is the same.