The Unladylike Ballot

The municipal elections of Pasco offered a most remarkable and deplorable spectacle—that of women entering ward politics. In the spirit of the 'just cause' that they held justified the act, they disregarded all traditions that teach respect for womanhood should be the highest duty of man. The leading issue in one of these situations was that of prohibition, a subject which the rules of good breeding forbid gentlemen to discuss in the presence of ladies. Yet it was forced into the campaign with all its attendant ills. The female auxiliary branch of the Equal Suffrage Association called on Mayor Oofraa and demanded a full explanation of the presence of houses in the city in defiance of the law against prostitution. The Mayor tried to explain that these women were innocent until proven guilty; the political females would not accept the explanation. The professional prostitutes were guilty. Why were they not punished? The Mayor explained that it required proof to secure evidence. Why, then, was the proof not forthcoming? 'But the proof must be direct,' he answered, in an attempt to escape. It was useless. A Mrs. Case told him they were there for business, and even then, he avoided them. 'Can't you get the proof?' the Secretary demanded. Oofraa cast an appealing look around the room, but there was no ray of hope. A dozen ladies could see what Oofraa was struggling to avoid, but they were determined to salt him. He tried again. 'The law requires that there shall be direct proof. That a witness shall swear that this has been seen so; you understand?' 'No, they didn't.' Oofraa was clearly floored. He was like a wounded beast at bay. They were merciless. Mrs. Woods, the lady with the tender face and some recollection of her girlhood, had crept into the hall. Perhaps the spectator saw these women in their saintly mission; perhaps he saw that if the ladies had no consideration for themselves he was not in duty bound to shield them; perhaps it was desperation, or all these, for he sat down and told, 'Shame! Shame!' The man stood in the middle of the room, blushing as the others fell to and demolished him. The position was that of squaws about a stake.