100 years ago: Votes for Women? Local businessmen share their opinions

From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for May 26, 1912:

  • “Half-Minute Interviews [from the special Women’s Suffrage edition]: ‘I have always been in favor of woman’s suffrage. It belongs to them by a moral right.’ — Chancellor Frank Strong…. ‘I believe that equal suffrage is a good thing. The average woman reads the political dope in the papers when her husband is more interested in other items.’ — C. E. Decker…. ‘Women were last at the cross, and first at the tomb. They are last on the field of battle, and first in the ranks of peace.” — Jno. C. Evans…. ‘I believe that woman’s suffrage is near at hand and that, properly handled and avoiding that publicity which is unbecoming in woman, it will prove to be a good thing.’ — H. B. Bullene…. ‘Kansas will soon have equal suffrage and all other states should follow. It is not right for one portion of mankind to be governed by another.’ — H. B. Ober…. ‘Give them all the suffrage they want.’ — A. D. Weaver…. ‘I don’t object to woman’s suffrage but I don’t see yet what good it will do. I believe, however, that women should be represented when they are heads of households and taxpayers.’ — Harry Dick…. ‘I was in favor of equal suffrage years ago.’ — P. H. Pierce…. ‘I believe that woman’s place is the home.’ — J. Gordon Gibb…. ‘Why shouldn’t women vote?’ — Sol. Marks.”
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