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r Supplement to The Union Times, Friday, March 16, 1917 EQUAL SUFFRAGE EDITION "BALLOTS FOR BOTH" VOL. I. UNION, S. C., MARCH 16, 1917 \<>. , |f b mm m ~a ^ ~ i?_; i iiLLivmm i-MUS FURNISHES Scientific and Social Principles Against Giving Political Rights to Women?Senator Strongly Oppi ed to Movement. Washington, D. C., Dec. 7, 191G. Mrs. W. T. Beaty, Union, S. C. Hnnr Mfo ?^VUA AMA Ot XiCUtJf I have your card of the 5th inst., asking for an expression of my views as to woman suffrage. I am perfectly willing to say what I think on the subject, and, seeing that I am opposed to the movement, I am curious to know whether the Union League will I still wish to publish my letter. Women nrp by nature more partisan than men, and generally refuse to look at any question from a viewpoint other than the one they have chosen. How does the old couplet run? About? but not quite, I believe?this way: "When a woman will, She will?depend on it? And when she won't, she won't?and ? ?i ?? IIIC1C O *111 t'liu U It. But let me give my reasons for being opposed to woman suffrage. They are, briefly, two in number, one scientific, the other social. In the first place, if woman were fitted for political duties, she would have been voting as long as men have. Darwin's law of "The survival of the fittest" applies with full force, and if we grant that in the beginning woman was not essentially different from man, still, the "Law of the disuse of parts" has had ample time to develop a difference. The proposition reduces itself to this: The fact that woman did not politi. cally develop, pari passu, with men proves that she was not primarily suited for political duties; and if we re fuse to accept this conclusion, then the fact that she has not been permitted to exercise suffrage during the thousands of years of her history, has unfitted her. The logic is brutal, perhaps, but it is unanswerable?truth is a pitiless thing. Again. The future good of society depends on the relation of the sexes. Science comes in here once more. "The laws of natural selection" has erected barriers between men and women, assigning to each their duties. Woe be unto the people who shall dare to tear; down what natural law has set up! Men must reverence women; women must respect men. That is the law and the prophets. But when their] functions are united, when the bart riers between them are removed, respect and reverence will disappear, j Did you know that in some sections, of the United States there is one di- j orce to every eight marriages? And can you not see that divorce is a by- I ~ e 4 U ? 1- - 1- ' < 1 |iiuu uct i i me jjrui'ess wmcn won id j identify the functions of men and wo-1 men? I, myself, have seen an article] where the fact that we have no divorce law in South Carolina is cited as a reason for equal suffrage there! It would serve no pood purpose for ae to say any more; for, after all, I am apainst suffrape and you are for it, and neither of us will influence the other. With best wishes, I am, Yours very sincerely, B. R. Tillman. In Reply to Senator Tillman's Letter. My dear Senator Tillman: You were written to by a representative of the Equal Suffrape League of Union, because the members of that leapuo have preat rflhpect and admiration for you ,and foj- your past work. In the upliftinp influences now at work in South Carolina you have been and jou arc now a potent factor and mmy re the women in South Carolina who would deem it a privilege to vote to "Let you die in harness." Frankly, Senator, we fail to see where Charles Darwin's law of "The survival of the fittest" has any application to this question. It is doubtless true that back in the monkey stage where the struggle for existence in fighting against natural elements, and where combat was waged with muscle, tooth and claw that only the fittest could survive, but where the combat is one of brain against brain, then if Darwin's law did apply, I daresay women would compare very favorably with men. It is a scientific fact that it is not the size of the brain which determines the quality, but the degree of cultivation. The next reason you state why you re against equal suffrage is "the law of natural selection." This, too, is a ' f i N HISTORY TWO REASONS side step of yours, and nowhere touches the point at issue. For millions of years the male has selected his mate and the female of the species has selected hers. Your reference to the divorce question?this, too, is flimsy, 'tis only hearsay, and comes from unreliable press agents. But to the point: Realizing that it was right, also that it was inevitable, practically every party has written in its platform the 1 i? ? * * cquai sun rape pianK. The Republicans believe in making it apply to all of the States; in other words, apply nationally. The Progressives have adopted, the Socialists have likewise adopted but the Democratic party in deference to the South has left it to the individual States, placing such restrictions and barriers as the nature of the situation demands. For instance, it is left to South Carolina to say whether or not we would have to get registration certificates the same as our husbands, brothers and fathers do. If this nation then is to Vie a Democratic nation, should we not add our vote in South Carolina to counteract the vote of some Republican State? We note with interest that two or three months ago the question of the reapportionment of the representatives was before the congress. Republicans were inquiring why our vote was so small compared to the number of congressmen we had! Can it be that we are to be deprived of a certain amount of representation on account of the fact that one-half of our citizenship are" disfranchised by manmade constitutions, man-made laws and man-made customs when we wuuse very existence would oe inreatened by an outrageous Republican grafting tariff, an Aldrichism system of finance, and a Roosevelt despotism as president? Nay verily. The president of the United States, who, 1 understand, is one rf your staunch friends and you one of his chief admirers is now president on account of the women who voted for him. Mr. Hughes ranted the country telling where Mr. Wilson's administration was a failure, but the women of California and other States of minor errors (if he made any) voted for the man who himself voted against the principles of taxation without representation. But again, Senator, we do not believe in a government of trusteeship or guardianship. I am by the law and constitution you helped to make permitted to hold my property in my own right, name and manner. However, when it comes to the question of taxing my property to defray government expenses, 1 am denied the very lirst right of ownership?in that 1 have no choice?a husband who has no idea of finance, a brother who is worthless and is a spendthrift, or a neighbor who is miserly, exercises a form of f'tlcp triiofnneKin f?iiov/IInv%oU?r. VJI despotism and votes for that which is aimed at my undoing'' Is it right; is it fair? The relationship of wife, mother, father and husband, brothers or sisters break down in some instances?it does in the matter of a forced guardianship. That we have the ability to do anything is beyond question: Shall I mention the queens, the scientist, the artist, musician, educator, the Joans who have fought battles? You know them all. In the eyes of the world they are not disfranchised, but are living, potent factors today, if their bodies be dead their souls go marching on?the world today is a better world by virtue of their having lived in it? the fortitude and heroism of the women at Plymouth and Jamestown is a glorious heritage of ours; but as the scene has changed and new conditions have arisen we, too, ask to share our part in the perilous time of today, we ask that we share in the affairs of a government founded by the people, and for the people and that we do our part by keeping it from nerishim? from the earth. L. S. You who believe in democracy, "a vote for the people, by the people," are your wives not people? Why not accord them the sharers of your joys and sorrows and the mother of your children, the same privileges that you enjoy yourselves? Sooner or later the men of South Carolina will have to face the fact that the women are in earnest, and will keep on working until their cause is triumphant. Because your husband is not a suffragist is no reason why you should not be. I)o you agree on everything else? tUL. KUOSKVELT ON WOMEN'S RIGHTS. The following is an extract from Theodore Roosevelt's article, "The Parasite Woman," in the May Metropolitan: "The one way to honor this indispensable woman, the wife and mother, is to insist that she be treated as the full equal of her husband. The birth pangs make all men the debtors of all women; and the man is a wretched creature who does not live up to this obligation. Marriage should be a real partnership; a partnership of the soul, the spirit and the mind, no less than of the body. An immediately practical feature of this partnership should be the full acknowledgement that the woman who keeps the home has exactly the same right to a say in the disposal of the money as the man who earns the money. Earning the money is not one whit more indispensable than keeping the home. Indeed, I am innlinorl tr\ J*- *? ? 1 ?1 w pun ?. in niv avi'unu piace. The husband who docs not give his wife, as a matter of right, her share in the disposal of the common funds is false to his duty. It is not a question of favor at all. Aside from the money to be spent on common account, for the household and the children, the wife has just the same right as the husband to her pin money, her spending money. It is not his money that he gives to her as a gift. It is hers as a matter of right. He may earn it; but he earns it because she keeps the house; and she has just as much right to it as he has. This is not a hostile right; it is a right which it is every woman's duty to ask and which it should be every man's pride and pleasure to give without asking. lie is a poor creature if he grudges it; and she in her turn is a poor creature if she does not insist upon her rights, just exactly as she is worse than a poor creature if she does not do her duty. "It is the men who insist upon^omen donig their full duty, who that the primary duty of the woman is in the home, who also have a right to insist that she is just as much entitled to the suffrage as is the man. We believe in equality of right, not in identity of functions. The woman must bear and rear the children, as her first duty to the State; and the man's first duty is to take care of her and the children. In neither case is it the exclusive duty. In neither case does it exclude the performance of other duties. The right to vote no more implies that a woman will net lect licr homo than that a man v.i'l neglect, his business. Indeed, as regards one of t ho greatest and m > ' useful of all professions, that of surgery and medicine, it is probatlv true that the average doctor's wife has more time for the performance of political duties than the average doctor himself." OlJIt SUFFRAGE SONG. Sing a song of suffrage 'Tis time you faced the facts; Women should have the vote If they must pay the tax. For the time is surely coming, 'Twill be here 'fore very long; We know it by the yellow signs And hence our suffrage song. Sing a song of Union, A town that's up to date, And come and join the movement Before it is too late. Enlist', in Union's Snflfrnrrn 1 mm ? It's full ""d "pep." We want our town to fall in line, And never lose the step. M. W. M. The United States Army authorities have advertised for "twelve girls for the United States Army to help in recruiting." This action was probably suggested by the extraordinary success attained by Mrs. Pankhurst as a recruiting agent in England at the outbreak of the war. Nowadays it seems as if men needed women's help in all departments of their work, except in that of representing women at the ballot box. Come into the army, Maud, For we need your help there, too, Come into the army, Maud, As a woman ought to do. For I talk to the men and they're simply bored, Itut they might enlist for you. ?Alice l>uer Miller, in N. Y. Tribune. It is all right for ^e^other fellow's sister and sweetheart xo vote?but not mine. Ned Arthur. 1 SOME UNION CITIZENS WIIO 1 DORSE WOMAN SUFFRAGE. i Can any rational being toll mo \ i women are fit to be trusted with , rearing and training of our minds souls and not fit to share in govc ing themselves? T. II. Mutm I heartily approve of woman's <= frage and believe they are as ft competent to judge their privilege =? men, and in this State they are more advanced in education. I\ will not abuse their rights. They 1 purify politics, and place it on a hi or standard. J. Coher The three women I know best my mother, my wife and my sister, would trust them to vote on any qu tion and feel sure they would vote intelligently as the best of men. E. F. Kellj I welcome the day when women t I vote. L. C. Wharton There's nothing too good for I women?so "I should worry." C. 11. Counrs I have always believed that taxat 'without representation is uuconsti tional. This principle is the one , which America trained her indepc ence, therefore as a pood Ameru citizen I believe in the principle uj j which our povernment was found 1 heartily endorse woman's sutTra Ij. J. Browning T am in favor of woman's soifra I heart and soul. Dr. S. S. binder i Tf a woman is pood enonph to h direct our relipious affairs she is pc 'enough to help direct our politics. J. G. Goinp T am in favor of woman sufTr: within certain limitations. R. C. Williams I am unqualifiedly in favor of \ : man suffrapc. J. W. Gregory, Deputy Clerk rl am in favor of woman suffrap i^. .Tulian E. Hughes I could not conscientiously dema more liberty or ripht for my fat I than my mother and always pave t same weipht to the advice and adn nition of both; so I do not know any pood reason why other me mothers should not have the sa rights as their fathers. Macbeth Young I believe women should have they ask for. J. D. Arthur Same thing. Stuart Smith T believe in suffrage being "ran* to women on questions of taxation . public improvements. Bert Kennedy I favor letting the ladies of I'n vote on all matters concern!:.g < city and State's welfare. W. W. Colt on, Secretary Union Democratic Club I believe women ought to have share in the government. I am w ing to turn over my part to them. R. P. Morgan DECIDEDLY ANTI. A. C. Mann, Will Walker. J. Frost Walker, Jr., J. W. Mixson, J. II. Bartles, Dr. D. H. Martin, Sam Layton, Nat Morgan, A. W. Pittman, .T. M. Greer, SHARP QUIPS, "The proof of the pudding is in 1 eating," and not one State that 1 tried woman suffrage is dissatisf with the result. The suffrage question will never settled until it is settled by givi votes to women. The suffrage school held in Coin bia in Fel ruary was a decided s cess and if it does not mean a "spe< up" of suffrage in South Carolina tl all yellow signs fail. No question is every settled ui it is settled right. When wom"n vote they will take initiative in having children taui the principals of citizenship, and t also use their efforts to secure lop lation for the opening of school hou and other public buildings to tt real owners the people, for lectui recreation, etc. ,N SENATOR E. D. SIDESTEPS and ?________ >rn?. TO IJE OPEN TO CONVICTION. ;a> Mrs. T. C. Duncan. illy : ;i5 Because equal suffrage has been a {ar much-ridiculed and misunderstood liec question, one which we in the South tvill have considered as remote, it has had very little serious consideration by i. the large majority of men and women. We have viewed it from a disare tance, and as a reform best suited to I the needs of the Western States. Now, les- the time has come when we are as brought face to face with this farreaching and momentous question. >. There is no subect that can ho p'-onerly judged and intelligently dis vill cussed without a knowledge of both i. J sides. To the men and the wom>." ; who accept the popular opinion, were tie equal sulTrage given to the women, that the homes would he robbed of I the mothers and that modest women would be transformed into masculine ion | creatures, we ask you to turn to the ' J- women of England, Canada, Scotland, Ireland, Yucatan, Australia and the ll('~ Scandinavian countries, besides our "l!1 own equal suffrage States. There you >on will find them ust as devoted wives e l- and mothers, with as modest looks am: manners as the women in now-voting! | countries and States. The National American Woman i P1*- Suffrage League Association at i' | annual convention, Washington, I >. ( .. in December, 191a, passed the follow 1 llj ing resolution by unanimous vote: 10 ' "That we believe the home the foundation of the State; we believe in vhc! sanctity of the marriage relation; and furthermore, we believe that woman's ballot will strengthen the power of the home and sustain the dignity and sacredness of marriage. We denounce ( as gross slander the charges made by ( opponents of equal suffrage that its , advocates as a class, entertain opin- , ions to the contrary." , e Is it not worth while that we study ] the subject of equal suffrage, and become acquainted with that which so . nfj vitally concerns the women of the j 10r United States? , hc WIDE-AWAKE WOMEN WORKING I 10" FOlt VOTES. of 5 n's (Mrs. J. W. Mixson.) ? me t The Union County Equal Suffrage j League is a body of serious minded,1 ^ earnest women, banded together to,( work not only for themselves, but for ; the men, women and children of South I' Carolina, for we believe that all classes ' of citizens will be benefited when the'1 1 right-thinking women of the State, r ! have the ballot, for with this weapon ,o:...... , . ' I 11 icy c;.n neip mo men ngul iiIium's and \ hi ins about many much-needed re-' forms. ion | Wo believe that an enormous force | >ur i for good is lost when half the people I in the State are unable lo express j themselves, through the ballot, on | questions of vast importance to the i commonwealth. Women, from the bea ginning of the world, have been the ill- care-takers of the human race. When they have the vote, one question that will interest them, over and | above all political issues, is the welfare of the human race. They can accomplish more for certain causes for which they are now working but find themselves handicapped by being denied the right to vote on these important matters: 1. Child labor. 2. Compulsory education. 3. School improvement. 4. Sanitary improvements. 5. Civic improvements. 4. Charities and correction. 7. Care and protection of orphans. 8. Public health. e 9. Social betterment, las - m - led I i /--ti Ifl 111/itim our rn.'Wiiu l? until 1. , No woman has a right to become so absorbed in her household that she "1'L' has become blind to the problems outside her home. lin. It is a duty she owes to her family uc_ to take an active interest in these P(). phases of public life which affect the len foundations of her home. Therefore, equal suffrage is right; it is just. When man and woman will itil equally share the duties and responsibilities on the "righteousness of government then economic conditions, the moral problems, industrial relations arht and civic improvement will be intellivill gently solved. ris- As wife, mother and homemaker 1 s.'s believe that woman needs the ballot to leir preserve the principles and proper res, conduct of the home. Mrs. Jacob Cohen. v SMITH ; ON QUESTION Does Not Think the Time Ripe For Giving Prominence to Issues of Equal Suffrage?Sees "Nigger in Wood Pile." Washington, 1). C., Dec. 7, l'.Mtf. Mrs. W. T. Beaty, Union, S. C. My dear Mrs. Reaty: Your card of the f>th received. You ask me to state my position on equal suffrage and to give my reasons for same. The people of the South, in my opinion, are not in a position to discuss the merits or demerits of equal suffrage, looking to its actual enactment into law and enforcement. The presence of an alien race and the utifortunate legislation as expressed in the 1 1th and lath amendments, debars us from that freedom <>f thought and purpose in reference to this matter that we might enjoy wet" we a homogeneous people, or a people of on;; race. It goes without saying that the 14th ami 15th amendments of ih constitution of the United States were they not a part of our constitutional law would never he. They certainly would not be enacted into law in their present form, so far as the South is concerned, and 1 do not heli? >e . .at a majority of the States of America, if indeed, any, would vole f.-r their enactment now. Hut they are a part of our organic law. We, of the South, have sought and succeeded in avoiding the dire consequences that would inevitably follow the full and free operation of the intent of these amendments. I shall not now discuss the effect upon the male voters amongst the whites resulting from the means used in avoiding the great evil that would have followed had this alien race been allowed to participate freely in our elections. The granting of equal suffrage to women would not only extend the privilege to them, but would impose yrave responsibilities and duties that ~ ~ " 1 * .iiu exercise or me iranenise requires, rherefore, the white women of our section would necessarily lie forced to rrapplo with the same racial proposition in the same manner that +hc nales have to meet it, with infinitely more at stake in the effect of such :onflict upon them, than the effect of such conflict upon the males. Thus, it is, that this racial question, in my opinion, precludes a serious discu >sion of the merit or demerits of the ra e in its relation as to whether or not it is Rood or evil for won on to participate in our political affairs on an equal footing with men. Sincerely yours, E. I). Smith. Mr. Smith says: "The people of South Carolina are not in a position to discuss the merits or demerits of equal suffrage." Now this subject :s one which is under national discussion at the present time, and 1 suppose there is none other, unless it be the European war, which so fills the minds of the world at large than "Ballots for Both." It is world-wide in its extent and irresistible in its progress. Yet we are told not to discuss it even though votes for women are making swift strides right on to our very doors, and will finally reach us, just as surely, if not so swiftly, as the boll weevil. This being the case, then M*- ^ 11 I expects the people of the t <>. in states to he exceedingly lacking m public spirit. For what intere : all other peoples of the earth, surely must PArrV enmn \*rr?irrUf - - TfVl^llV l-u HIV JiCUJMC UI II1C Southern States also. I say people because we are people, though we are not counted as such in the constitution. Let it be known that white women had been asking for the ballot for about 20 years, when it was given to the colored man. During the War between the States, in their characteristic public-spiritedness and patriotism. the women put all other interests aside, pave up working for themselves, and directed all their energy toward the welfare of their country. Freedom was won for the slaves. Then for political reasons, the republican party became over-zeulous in their desire to right the wrongs that the Southern men had been inflicting upon the poor oppressed darky, so they presented him with the ballot. The women protested, saying that they sho-. Id be given the privilege of voting first. n^L i * i? * " i iit-v were ioiii mat iney "must wait, as this is the negro's hour." Was that (Continued on page three)