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MICHAEL B. HATZ AND THOMAS 1. SUGRUE
for specific reforms," observed Du Bois, who saw the situation dealy not themselves work beside Negoes, or admit them to stores or offices, or lend them friendly aid when reformers missed the pride blacks took in their councilmen and p in who filled their positions honorably, even if they first obtained Should blacks, Du Bois asked, through "shady 'politics." Shoul tangible evidences of the rise of their race to forward the hardly imperative demands of a crowd of women?" Many forces other than insensitivity to "surrendes good-hearted the importance positions trouble" Em
machine, or the black vote, contributed to the defeat of the women candidates for ward school director. They met antagonism from the wa schoolteachers, apathy from the affluent, and hostility to their gende Canvassing "the various classes of votes," women reformers found themselves "impressed by the marked contrast in the attitude of the richer better, and more educated classes toward municipal politics, as distinguishel from that of the so-called ignorant people in the small streets." On the gr streets-Spruce, Pine, Delancey, Trinity Place they met striking ignoranc of the electoral process and the issues, not to mention apathy. There they of the altered "citizens whose bosom swelled with pride as they dedan encor vote." In the "small streets, however, the voter appeared to these facts as well as the canvasers." Indeed, in these streets, "in the midst of all the wretchedness, dirt, and ignorance, there was scarcely a single instanc of indifference to questions of government." In part, neglect of the election reflected disinterest in the public schools. The wealthy sent their children private, the Catholics to parochial schools. "The only class of which the religious and moral portion" showed interest in public schools were the colored population, because they send their children to them, and are obliged to do so, or keep them at home, none of the private schools admitting them." Realizing the importance and sorry state of the public schools, a number of black leaders, including the eminent educator Fannie of yo
Coppin, had supported the women reformers' bid for election. Du Bois and some subsequent historians awarded at least some reformers too little credit for understanding political realities, and they read motives too singly. As she reflected on the defeat, one campaign organizer observed that in every division of the ward the machine kept "two or three men who all the year around are keeping up relations with the voters, obtaining, for instance, through the ward bosses, for men out of work, places on the traction lines and on railroads, helping to get their children ransferred from school to school, and organizing political clubs whose rent nd expenses are paid by the office holders." Even more, these men knew every voter, at least by sight." Although their homes backed onto the housesThe Context of The Philadelphia Negrooo of voters in the small streets, alleys, and lanes, wealthy reformers hardly knew their poor and working-class neighbors. Not surprisingly, ordinary voters had preferred the machine politicians who "had taken the trouble" to know them "before they asked for their vote" rather than the women who had ignored them until the campaign. The moral was clear: "each of us should take the division in which she lives, and make it a point before the next election to know all about it... If there is trouble, sickness or death in the little row of houses which are at the back of almost every one of our dwellings, it ought to be understood that the Civic Club [a reform organization of women founded in 1894] representative is the best person in the division to go to." Women reformers also should join with the Charity Organization Society to "investigate cases in the division, and distribute its relief." While they should not stoop to corruption, argued this now veteran campaigner, Philadelphia's elite women reformers needed to emulate the machine if reform hoped to win office.
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- Du Bois observed the lack of support for black candidates from reformers
- Women candidates faced opposition from various groups in their campaign for office
- Wealthy reformers were disconnected from the realities of the poor and working-class voters
- Machine politicians were successful because they had established relationships with voters
- Reformers needed to actively engage with community members and provide support in order to be successful
- Elite women reformers needed to adapt their tactics and emulate some methods used by the machine in order to win elections
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- Du Bois highlighted the pride that black voters took in councilmen and politicians who represented them honorably
- Women reformers faced challenges such as apathy from the affluent, hostility based on their gender, and ignorance about political issues among voters in poor neighborhoods
- Black leaders, including educator Fannie Coppin, supported the women reformers' campaign for election
- Campaign organizers recognized the importance of establishing relationships with voters and providing support in the community
- The defeat of the women reformers highlighted the need for reformers to actively engage with and support the communities they sought to represent
- Du Bois and other historians noted that reformers needed to understand political realities and adapt their strategies to be successful in elections.
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- The defeat of women reformers was not solely due to insensitivity but also reflected larger social and political issues
- Neglect of the election reflected overall disinterest in public schools among the wealthy and Catholics
- The colored population, who sent their children to public schools, showed interest in improving the public school system
- The defeat of women reformers emphasized the importance of understanding and connecting with all members of the community, particularly those in poorer neighborhoods
- Elite women reformers needed to actively engage with the community, provide support, and work with existing organizations like the Charity Organization Society to effectively bring about reforms