Woman's World Column - April 30, 1885

In 1885, Catt (Carrie Lane) resigned from her position as superintendent of schools in Mason City, Iowa, and married Leo Chapman, editor of the Mason City Republican, a weekly newspaper. She became co-editor of the newspaper and started the column “Woman's World,” which she wrote would be “devoted to the discussion of such questions as purport to the welfare, the social, political and intellectual position of women.”

About two weeks ago a petition, signed by 500 business men of Sioux City, was presented to the city council requesting that a license of $1,000 be allowed the hotels for the purpose of selling liquor. The petition stated that it represented $10,000,000 of property. A counter petition was circulated and also presented to the council. This petition was signed by 600 women who stated they represented 500 husbands and 1060 children. Yet the dollars won and the hotels of Sioux City will hereafter dispense liquor to the thirsty five hundred. It is difficult to understand how these 500 men could gain such an ordinance when the law of the state is so emphatically contrary to it. Dubuque and other anti-prohibition cities are discussing the theme preparatory to following Sioux City’s example. The end is plain. Unless some action is taken to prevent, prohibition will be completely undermined by this dodge and soon be a dead letter on our statute books. As Caesar said centuries ago “Men believe what they wish” so it is to-day. If a man has an appetite for drink he knows prohibition is unconstitutional, unjust and an insult to personal liberty, all the statues, women’s petitions to the contrary not with standing. Therefore it has come to pass that 500 Sioux City women must bear the humiliation of smelling the vile odor of liquor on the breath of 500 Sioux City men and know this example may lead their sons to ruin, and are yet powerless to check the evil. What does it matter, to these lawmakers if they break the hearts of a few suffering women? 500 men can now gratify a senseless appetite; 500 women will weep and grieve to see loved husbands and brothers debasing themselves to this appetite; 500 men can now congratulate each other upon having overridden a statute law; 500 women will console themselves with prayer to remove the dread evil from among them once more. But when weighed in the balance, $10,000,000 sinks the scale and the souls of 500 husbands and the lives and happiness of 1060 children rise and thus council are taught how to vote.

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Whether prohibition is the correct way to control the liquor traffic or note the agitation of the temperance question will not cease until a settlement of some kind, is reach whatever that final decision may be. Temperence workers without exception are convinced that it cannot be accomplished without the aid of woman’s ballot. Those women who were most radically opposed to woman’s suffrage when they first interested themselves in the question of temperance are now its staunchest defenders. Experience has shown them the meager influence of a non-voting class of people and inspired them with a determination to change their condition.

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A novel step in the line of woman’s suffrage has been proposed in Massachusetts. The legislature has been considering a bill to instruct the census-takers to learn the opinion of the women of the state upon the subject, but it was not passed.

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In regard to the education of women, a radical change has come over Europe during the past few years. In 1870 women were first admitted to the University of Sweden. In Russia women may now pursue their studies in the great universities. Last year for the first time women entered the university of Brussels. About a score of women are now in attendance at the university of Geneva, and the number of women us much larger at the university of Zurich, among them being several American girls. The way is now open in Italy for women to pursue a collegiate course; and in fact many are availing themselves of the privilege. There are probably more women pursuing a collegiate course in France than in any other country in Europe and the number will soon be much increased through the operation of a law establishing intermediate schools for girls.

—Ex

The Woman’s Journal, of Boston, is doing good work for woman’s suffrage by publishing pamphlets containing arguments for the cause, written by prominent people. These leaflets are to be had for a trifle and are for the purpose of free distribution. It is the proper was to educate the public and much good may be expected from it.

Chapman, Carrie Lane. 1885. “Woman’s World.” Mason City Republican, April 30.

PDF version, courtesy of Mason City Public Library