Suffrage Referendum Editor: I hasten to grasp the opportunity to show you there are women in Huntington who want to vote. I am a suffragist, and I am proud to say so, for I believe that women should be given the right to vote. The woman of today works, pays taxes, she supports homes and has her place in practically every industry and profession. The woman of today owns property and brings up new citizens for the state and she performs every service to entitle her to a voice in the government, save that of being a soldier and I have no doubt that if war were to come the woman would be found doing their part. Then if suffrage is a right, there is no reason to deny the ballot to women. Please see that my ballot, which is enclosed, is counted. Suffragist. Suffrage Referendum Editor: I have thought deeply on the subject and I have come to the conclusion that woman’s rightful place is in the home. I know, of course, that there are women who are in business life and they are capable business women. But I think that in their hearts they are anxious to take and keep their rightful place in the home. What happens if a woman has the right to vote? If she votes with her husband it merely doubles the number of ballots to be counted. If she votes oppositely to her husband, it merely nullifies his ballot. I trust you will give this letter a prominent place as I believe there are many women in Huntington who feel much the same about this matter as I do, although I believe most women are keenly interested in the matter. Home Woman. Suffrage Referendum Editor: I am certainly that [t]he Advertiser has given the women of this city an opportunity to express their views and I feel that whatever the result much good will come of the referendum vote you have started. I think all suffragists should take this opportunity to come forward by writing a brief letter and casting their “ballot” for, if as you say, the women of West Virginia do not express a desire for suffrage they are certainly not going to get the right to vote. I believe the woman in politics is in her rightful element and I believe that her influence tends to uplift the government of the nation. That the propaganda of woman suffrage is pretty well extended is evident from the fact that there are woman suffrage associations in every state in the Union except New Mexico. If New York and West Virginia grant suffrage there will be 4,000,000 women who may vote if they want to. So you can see that the movement is gaining momentum. Where it has been given a fair test I believe woman suffrage has proved its worth and what is more I believe the women of this state want to vote and I believe they are going to get the right. Plain Thinker. Suffrage Referendum Editor: I am only a girl but I will be twenty-one by the time of the voting for the right to give the woman the ballot in our state. That is why I am writing and I want to be put on record as favoring suffrage, for I think by that time that I should with thousands of other girls in the state be given the right to vote. I think that if all the girls of my age would discuss the matter with their fathers and mothers that there would be little trouble in winning out. I am not engaged to be married, but I shall certainly not marry any man who would not be in favor of giving me the right to vote. You may publish this letter but please use my name only as: Brown Eyed Girl. Suffrage Referendum Editor: Do the women of Huntington want the ballot? I think we do. We want to help make the laws which protect ourselves and children. If our husbands die, do we not pay taxes on our property? Women are as broad mentally as men; then why not make laws and hold offices as well as man? If we abide by the law, then why not help to make that law? They say our place is in the home. Can we not vote without neglecting our home? Just give us the opportunity. Edith R. Mills. Suffrage Referendum Editor: Kind sir, I take pen in hand in the hope that what I am about to say will have its effect on some of the younger women, who are demanding the right to vote. My hair is gray, and I have not got many years to live on this old earth, but I want to tell you that the women who are demanding the ballot do not know what sorrow it may bring upon them. In my day the man of the house was the master of it, and permit me to say that the women I think were treated with more courtesy than some of the women of today. The man of the house was expected to provide for the women-folk and he held them in high esteem. The women of that day were just as pretty as those who are after the vote today. If the woman yields her inherited right to receive the homage of men by going out of the home into politics I tell you she is making a mistake. A Lady of Old School. Editor Suffrage Referendum: I am enclosing a ballot which shows you the way I feel about suffrage proposal in this little mountain state. I want to vote and I think the men of West Virginia are going to be chivalrous enough to give it to us. There are those who say that chivalry is dead. It is not so. But I do not think the men will give us the right to vote if we do not say that we want to. If we say we want to, then we will get the ballot. Romantic Woman Editor Suffrage Referendum: The right of woman to equal suffrage with men is so self-evident a proposition that its demonstration seems superfluous. The time is long past when men could proclaim the intellectual inferiority of woman. Her moral and ethical standards are admittedly higher. She is becoming more and more economically independent. She is no longer a rarity in the business world. How women are likely to vote has no bearing on their right to vote. The charge that bad women will vote is immaterial. Bad men vote and not infrequently vote more wisely and unselfishly than some who esteem themselves supremely good. If suffrage is a right, it should not be denied to woman. Give her the right and she will demonstarte [sic] the efficacy of the privilege. I am glad that you have provided this forum in which women can express their views without the necessity for publicity which many of us fear just now, although a little later on none need fear to openly avow themselves as workers for the cause[.] Incidentally I venture the prediction that you will find there are plenty of suffragists in our city. With best wishes, I remain. A Voter-to-Be. Suffrage Referendum Editor: I see no reason why women should not vote. I think I can see various things which would be benefited by their vote. As far as the educational part is concerned our schools and colleges show for themselves how women stand in the educational line. We do not neglect home duties to vote. That is not necessary. We can vote in one hour’s time. If men of other states help their women to vote, now men of West Virginia come and help us. Mildred Chapman Editor, Suffrage Referendum: Dear Sir: I am in favor of women voting. It seems to me, as I think on the voting problem for women, that there is as much right for our women to help make laws by voting, as it is for the foreign people to come over here and vote and know nothing about our government. They vote only as instructed and can vote in one year after they land on our shores and our girls are raised up int his land of ours and know more about the government than could be taught the foreigner in a good while. If they women get to vote it will be cleaner around the polls for both men and women. In the Right Boat. Editor, Suffrage Referendum: I believe women should vote because they are free born American citizens and ought to have a right to vote and help make the laws under which they live. If she must be taxed she should be represented. How long did it take men to decide that question for themselves? Women are naturally more religious and conscientious than men and therefore would more likely cast their votes on the side of righteousness and by feeling their great responsibilities. She would study the important issues of the day instead of fashion plates and sentimental literature and consequently save many a bill devoted to vanity. I believe she should vote in West Virginia, because if suffrage is good in other states it should be good for us. Old Maid. Editor, Suffrage Referendum: The true sphere of woman is home—the family circle. Her mission is to mould character, to fashion herself and others after the character of Christ. Her chief instruments for the accomplishment of her work are the affections. Love is the wand by which she works moral transformation. Gentleness, sweetness and purity are the elements of her power. Her place is not on life’s great battlefields and the ballot box. Man belongs there. It is for him to go forth armed for the conflicts and the struggles to do fierce battle with the hosts of evil that throng our earth and trample upon its blessings. Woman must abide in the peaceful sanctuaries of home and walk in the noiseless vales of private life. Her family will exclaim with her she looketh well to the ways of her household and eateth not the bread of idleness. Lover of Home. Editor, Suffrage Referendum: Enclosed you will find a few names of those in favor of woman suffrage. I could find none against it. I see in your paper one old lady lamenting sorely because the women want justice instead of chivalry. Chivalry means the entire subversion of the female brain, soul and body to man’s dominance and is dead forever. No woman if the younger generation will hold memorial services, either. Woman’s place is in the home, truly. Yet our home today is a very complex affair and includes the factory and workshop where the things we must use are made. Our spinning wheel and loom left the home long ago and we do not want them back yet some of us have to operate them yet and should have a voice in their management. The women of West Virginia have a great deal in their favor. Our ancient enemies, the brewers and distillers, have folded their tents and faded into the night. There are not many great corporations our inveterate enemy, except the coal companies and many of their men are union men whose constitution stands for suffrage. As far as I know every paper in the state is in favor of it, so the prospect is bright indeed. Nora Gillespie. Editor, Suffrage Referendum: As I was reading through the columns of The Advertiser I see a letter written by an anti-suffragist. I was surprised at the idea of the lady thinking if she should vote and not be the same opinion of her husband, it would bring discord at home. I think it is or should be the right of every woman to have her views on all subjects, the same as her husband and if they can see alike it would be nice to cast their ballot the same, but if they differ in opinion it is right to vote one’s sentiments and let others do the same. I certainly think if the woman is capable of rearing sons to vote and fight for their country, they should be capable of casting a ballot as to who should be the leaders of this nation by whom those sons are to be governed, and, should we be so lucky as to be granted this privilege I certainly will vote my sentiments. I have five sons of whom I certainly am proud and I am sure they would not be ashamed to meet their mother at the polls and if we get the privilege it will be by the help of God. An Indulgent Mother. Editor, Suffrage Referendum: I wish to say here in behalf of my own sex that I am sure every woman who has given the suffrage question any consideration whatsoever wants the right to vote. Let the fact that home is the place for a woman be considered. Why? Because there are hundreds, yes thousands of girls and women in our city at present who are striving daily for mere existence. Mostly they are girls under the age of twenty supporting mothers, younger sisters and brothers. Do these girls want to vote? Haven’t they the same privilege in the world as the opposite sex. No. Not in this state. These women are walking the very same paths as our men. They are just as capable of making laws as they. Then why not give them the same rights? Every able minded woman longs deep in her heart for this privilege. Every woman will help satisfy this longing for they are bound to win. They will not win alone. There are men who will help them, men who respect the feminine race. These men mean to give their heart and soul to forward this cause. They see where each sex has to be fair with the other. This will be when the women are making the laws of our constitution. G. W.—Only Twenty. Editor, Suffrage Referendum: For several reasons I am opposed to women voting. First, I have ample confidence in the majority of men to vote right in all state and national issues for their interest should be our interest. I happened to be in Denver, Col., during a city election and the sights I saw almost made me ashamed of my sex. I think if we women are good wives and mothers and make our homes attractive we have enough to do without trying to do the men’s work. I say let the men do the voting. I just want to be a woman. One Who Does Not Want Votes. Editor, Suffrage Referendum: I am a stranger in Huntington having resided here only a few months but I certainly admire the women of your town for the interest and enthusiasm they manifest in the great question of equal suffrage. I believe the majority of women are convinced of the need for and the ju[s]tice of equal suffrage. When we think of the many vital present day questions that touch the interests of woman and the family life, may we not truly say that she must have the ballot in order to preserve her home. And in this age in order to do this it is necessary that woman extend her sense of responsibility to many things outside the walls of her own home. Proper hygienic conditions surrounding her home, education of her children, freedom from vicious influences on the street, adequate child labor legislation, the white slave traffic, the saloon—all these vitally touch the home. The majority of our women do not want to vote in order to do the work of men. They simply want an opportunity to do their own work—the work which naturally belongs to women, but which is constantly overlooked and neglected in our political institutions. Then as to the justice of equal suffrage. Two years ago the United States government enacted a law which provides for the taxation of all individual incomes over three thousand dollars. Dr. Anna Howard Shaw, president of the National Woman Suffrage Association, issued an appeal asking woman to flatly decline to pay their assessments. I a certain band of early Americans would not submit to the injustice of “taxation without representation” and started a revolution and won their independence why should we women of these twentieth century days not fight against the same injustice. But the women of America will not fight with arms as did these people of a past century. Woman knows too well the cost of human life. But like them we are going to gain our freedom and by the help of the broadminded, the big-hearted and noble men of our country. Conservative Suffragist. Editor, Suffrage Referendum: Please allow me to say that I am opposed to woman suffrage. Woman’s field of work is already large enough. The men of our state are so busy making laws and money that they have not much time to give to the training of their children in the home. Every one knows that home training is what counts in citizenship. Women already play a larger part in governmental affairs than men because the training of the youth of our nation is largely in their hands. A government can never be better than the people who make it. If we add politics to the many other interests that are weakening women’s influence what is to become of the future generation? Nancy Ellen. Editor, Suffrage Referendum: I’m glad you’ve opened the columns of your paper for the declaration of women on suffrage. I’m now, and have been for seven years, in favor of having equal rights to the ballot. I have many reasons for being among the strongest being—first, we were all created equal, then we must certainly possess an equal right. We women must live and rear our families under the deplorable conditions brought upon us by men. They have no right to claim superiority over us once they look around us at conditions brought about by the misused and unappreciated ballot. Second—women who work for the paltry sum of $2.50 to $6.00 a week in most cases are forced to sell their honor for a mere existence. Women as a rule do not desire to enter public life, but economic and social conditions force her to. Third, since having entered the industrial field and work along side men I say give her the ballot, give her a chance to defend herself against all injustice and demand a fair wage. Once we have the ballot we will vote to retain our place in the home of which men have robbed us. There are many other reasons why women should and must demand the ballot. I earnestly hope the men of our state will use their intelligence in giving us what is justly ours—his or her equal rights. Stella E. Carricoffe. Editor, Suffrage Referendum: I am glad I can express my idea about woman suffrage. I think it a shame for people to want to get smarter than God who knows all things. How can anyone who ever knew him as their Father says, “Thy will be done” when he said the man shall rule over the woman? If we call our thoughts back to where Eve ruled over Adams [sic] is not that enough to convince us that the woman is not capable of ruling man? Oh, that God may awaken the people of West Virginia that they may work to His interest and see that His will be done. Men, wake up, do your duty and urge the women to fill their place at home as God has commanded her to do. I am in for making world better, not worse. Viola M. Seymour. Editor Suffrage Referendum: I want a few words in regard to woman suffrage. As a woman is considered the weaker vessel and as the law is so weak, I think women suffrage would make it worse and I oppose woman suffrage soul and body. An Anti. Editor Suffrage Referendum: This being the first opportunity of expressing my sentiments on woman suffrage, I will say that I am opposed to same, as it would be an added duty, consequently a burden to the already overburdened housewife and mother. Should we perform our numerous duties the many things that women are most fitted for, have we not already enough to do? If this added burden should be given to us the intelligent woman would feel it her duty to qualify herself for the task, which if the majority of men agree that she shall vote, will admit that they have failed to do. A Reader. Editor Suffrage Referendum: One half of the population, women, are governed without their consent, and have no voice in the making of the laws which they must obey. As the best government comes from the consent of the governed, better conditions would prevail were women allowed to vote. Women own property and pay taxes. Millions of women are supporting themselves by their hands and brains, and help the government financially, and they should therefore, have some representation. Women have special interests and man can not very well represent women. Legislators generally endeavor to serve their constituents, and if half these were women, it is natural that they would have bet[t]er representation. The baliott [sic] is the only direct and effective method of expressing the will of the people, and they only way in which woman can legally protect her property, her person, and her children. Men and women, together, should discuss and investigate public affairs. The complete human being is not a man; neither is it a woman. The two make one. Each will contribute a share to the perfection of the whole. Their combined influence is required in politics, which means government. The woman who votes becomes an important factor in life, for a double reason. In the first place, when a woman votes, the candidates for office must take care that his conduct and record meet with a good woman’s approval, and this makes better men of the candidates, and maintains higher standards of citizenship among all who seek office. In the second place, and far more important, the political influence of the good men in the community will be greatly increased. There is no doubt that woman, in her voting, will be influence by the men whom they know; but there is also no doubt that she will be influenced by the good men she knows. Women will improve the character of legislation, and help purify politics; increase civic intelligence and incidentally develop womanhood to greater usefulness. Woman by voting, will improve humanity, because it will compel men to seek and earn the approval of women. Women is the natural home maker and preserver, and the right to vote should not make her less dutiful as a mother and wife. Unscrup[u]lous politicians, the boodlers and grafters, oppose women voting, for women can not be corrupted as easily as men, for she is at all times interested in all matters that pertain to the uplift of humanity. A mother’s and wife’s encouragement stimulate ambition and inspire courage. Whose brain but the mother’s inspires and directs the son in his early years when knowledge is most easily absorbed and permanently retained? Should she not have a voice in the choosing of the law makers who makes laws which govern humanity? Woman is really man’s superior in important matters. They are vastly superior morally, beyond and question. She does the greatest work in the world. She gives to the earth things population and creates every one of the great men that move civilization along. If she is responsible for man’s attainment, why should we not respect her responsibility and allow her to vote. Woman guides, inspires and sustains the world, and the hand that rocks the cradle should help rule it. S. A. Suffrage Referendum Editor: I want to say that I favor woman suffrage and that my father raised me one and that any woman can vote without interfering with her home duties. I thought it rather childish for the gray haired lady to offer beauty as an argument against suffrage and I also find that our most intelligent men and women are for it. Some argue that we will have to fight if we vote. Allright, I am willing. I don’t think I am any better than my husband and if he had to go to war I would want to go with him and he has always allowed me my rights. I think any woman would be better off to be shot than become the wife of a polygamist as the European counties are talking of doing. A Reader. Suffrage Referendum Editor: Alongside the many economic reasons which appeared to be convincing enough within themselves—why women should have the ballot, stands the one reason which seems paramount to all the rest, viz: because woman desire it. Man has achieved his marvelous success because he was not content with his lot and felt an inner urge to greater and greater accomplishment and he had freedom to give expression to his desires. Woman must develop in the same way. She feels in no less degree than man this “diving urge” and she must have absolute freedom to develop in any and every direction which she may see fit—be it physical, mental or moral. Nature’s plan is expression, and not repression. Yours for the larger life for women. A Suffragist. Editor, Suffrage Referendum: I favor woman suffrage. I believe our Savior teaches equal rights to both men and women. Mary L. Jones. Editor, Suffrage Referendum: I favor woman suffrage as the best means of reformation. Sallie Jones. Editor, Suffrage Referendum: I for one think women should vote. Women have the care of the homes and the training and care of the children and I am sure would not make a law that would be a hindrance to her boys and I think it would be grand if the husband and wife could vote together but if not am sure the woman would try to vote for the interest of her home, state and country and children and I for one am grad the men in West Virginia are willing to give us a chance. Mrs. G. W. Kelley. Editor, Suffrage Referendum: I am absolutely against woman suffrage because they have never done anything worth while in the states where they now have full suffrage. Some women claim that they will uplift the morals of the country. I defy any women to cite one instance where in any section of the country where women have full suffrage, that they have uplifted the morals of the community. Another thing I notice some women who persist in speaking for suffrage are church workers. I wonder if they know the Great Father through Paul commanded women to be silent in public places. Just one more think, it is to know that homes make the state; mother keeps the home and father protects it. I say that the mother’s place is raising her sons to vote the right way instead of letting them run haphazard and then she tries to vote for the right thing while two or three of her boys are voting another way. Here is a poem my son wrote to use in a suffrage debate, asking the men to go in the future with him fifty years.
Time, Oh Time, turn back in thy flight,
The women now have us by the throat. Mrs. M. Editor, Suffrage Referendum: I am proud to say that I am a wife, mother and teacher who knows that she has the right but not the privilege of the use of the ballot and looking about me I so often see my handicap. I need the use of the ballot and am demanding it. The scientific, economic and political world has reached a stage of evolutionary advancement where the gallant of these days of “chivalry” does not and can not always display those qualities as in the far off past and nature forbids that he do so. What women want is but the privilege of helping to govern the present conditions that the future may bring forth a nation of mothers who will bear manly sons and not fill the land with a race of mere digits and targets. Who are the world’s best mothers? Those who are physically and mentally strong; those who know things as they are; who can intelligently tell their sons and daughters of the manmade snares and pitfalls; and who knowing the wrongs and evils of this age, will dare maintain the truth. Then there is that vast multitude of unmarried working women, most of whom, through no fault of their own must work. What are they without the ballot? But a mere straw upon the tide of progress beneficial to man just so long as they are able to drag their weary bodies to offices, factory, mill and department store, for the purpose of hoisting their employers to a higher plain of wealth and affluence. Civilization and Christianity says give them the privilege of making the conditions under which they must work. There is no longer any question as to woman’s “preparedness” for her use of the ballot. In our country she stands almost alone in the public school and holds her place side by side with men in our colleges and universities. If she can prepare you for your vocations and share in the government then be willing to give her the privilege of sharing equally with you. We women of West Virginia are demanding this privilege. Will you men be show in granting it? This is the kind of chivalry we want. Most of us are not of that clinging-vine sort. Show us whether you are men of this sort of chivalry or are you of the arrogant, narrow-minded, selfish variety of an age past? Della Franklin.
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