Life, 1909-03-25 · page 22 of 36
Life — March 25, 1909 — page 22: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents letters from readers debating **women's suffrage**—a major political controversy of the early 20th century. The lead letter satirizes the absurd, invasive questions posed to women voters in the four U.S. states that had already granted suffrage (likely Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and Idaho). The writer mocks journalists and curious outsiders demanding answers about whether women voters wore "divided skirts," if their husbands stayed home, whether divorced women voted, and other intrusive inquiries. The satire highlights how women's voting rights were treated as a curiosity requiring constant explanation and justification, rather than a normal civic right. The letter pleads with *Life* magazine to advocate that women voters are simply ordinary citizens exercising normal democratic participation—"exactly like going to the play, the opera or the post-office." The page continues a reader-response feature allowing *Life* readers to weigh in on this contentious social question. The advertisements for liquor and clothing are incidental to the editorial content.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LIFE From Headquarters To tue Ettor oF Lire: Sir:—I am taking advantage of your gener- ous proposition for a “ woman's number’ to be- speak your friendship and sympathy for a much misjudged and afflicted group of people. Your splendid and effective fight, waged in behalf of the “puir beasties," emboldens me to present this new cause for your powerful consideration. The oppressed and down-trodden, for whom I ask your favor, are the women of the four suf- frage states. In a short article it is impossible to paint adequately our sufferings. We are written about, and talked about, and preached and prayed about. We are interviewed early in the morning, late at night and “ between meals.’” We are subject to every prejudiced journalist, every foreign traveler, every passing tourist. Here are some of the intelligent requests To Vote or Not to Vote? That is The Question Life’s Readers Express Themselves on Womar Suffrage made of us: A telegram from a great daily, “Wire in ten words what was the effect of the woman's vote in the last election upon drunk- enness.”” Another, “Please reply by return mail answering these questions: ‘How old is the average woman voter who took part in the last clection?’ ‘How did the mother vote, how did the business woman vote; did sons vote with their mothers or their fathers; did the ‘smart set’ vote; did the church woman vote?" etc., ad infinitum ad nauseum. This is a favorite question—mind, all these from intelligent (?) people or publications: “How many women voting at the last clection were divorced?” Others: “Do the women who vote have chil- dren? Can they read and write? Do they go to church? Do they ever keep house?’” ete. The acme is reached, however, by the long lists of printed questions, which we are ex- pected to answer, always by “return mail,” no “postage enclosed! "* Some of these | make an angel weep. “Do the wor suffrage states wear divided skirts upon all oc. casions?"’ was one of the latest from a circu lar containing twenty questions. Another: “Do husbands spend their evenings out in the states where women vote?’ The only question which has not been propounded is that famous one which Artemus Ward claimed was ask: he applied for charity, “ Air you male ¢ and if so, how long have you ‘ben’ so Good Lire, Just Lire, Powerful 1 you not take up this crusade? Will you lish and proclaim to the world that we mal women—that we vote to be sure, dience to our laws; that it is a simple exactly like going to the play, the opera or the post-office, just as formal, just as peaceful, just as innocent. We do not live in trees nor te (Continued on page 409) S woald n of the ultaneously in the U Live is pul $5.00 year in'advance. Add British Possessions. Union, $1.01 a year? to Canada, $2 cents. Months from date of publication, 25 cents, No contribution will be returned unless accompanied by stamped and addressed envelope, Live does net held iiel/ responsible for the lass or mon return of unsolicited contributions ne Tnternat Livm is tor suie by al wadealers in Great Britain. (Pounded 1715) kKk* AND FINE OLD LIQUEUR GENUINE OLD BRANDIES MADE FROM WINE Sole Agents G.S. NICHOLAS &CO, New York dS ional postage to forei Single current copies, 10 cents, es, Great Britain, Canady and Building, Changer jack numbers, after three ws Company, Breams ery Lane, London, F; C: ign goaniries in the Postal alsoat$ jews Excha ov" Bs BoCeorgun: Parte 1 Via Firease, Miany Bayence: Gersasy, The text and illustrations in Live are copyrighted. and are not to be reproduced withowt tperat permission obtained in advance. Prompt notification should be sent by subscribers of any change of addrest, gland. Acexts. Brentano's. 3 entry Street, Leicester Square, W. {Stapusnco CLE CoesLotHINngs:> Gentlemens {Furnishing i Boys’ Department Spring and Summer Styles in Clothing, | Furnishings, Hats and Shoes. Exclusive Patterns—High Class Work- manship. Send for Illustrated Catalogue. Moderate Prices. BROADWAY cor. TWENTY SECOND ST., NEW YORK comicbooks.com