Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-02-20
WONANS SUFFRAGE.

To the Editor Of The Journal:
Will you allow me space in your paper to
reply to some of the objections against Wo-
man Suffrage which have been so freely ex-
pressed in the last few days 10 the Daily
Journal?
When ''Old Fogy' appeared was simply
amused at his argument, and his signature
was so gcrmane to his subject, so potent, it
reminded me of the story Of the man who
painted horse, and for fear people wouldn't
know for what it was intended wrote under
meath, ga Horse
When "Wife and Mother" appeared l
thought it almost a pity to allow such libel
on woman of Hallowell to obtain in this
community without attempting to expose the
deception. This morning when "B"-hind
the times appeared, could no longer resist
the temptado n to reply to the brood of chick
ems which were all Matched in the same nest.
Ifa woman of Hallowell did really write
those communications, they must have things
on paradisiacal plan if woman is properly
represented in that rural city. In going the
length and breadth ofmy own city, 1 find many
women without conjugal attachment that
bespeaks for her the lions share in an ex-
preston th,t represents the family" And if
as "Old Fogy" says, he has known many
young men to vote exactly opposite to wha.
they had previously been accustomed to after
they had married in consequence Of the inhu
ence of their wives, certainly it is a strong
argument in favor Of franchise for woman.
Is there any reason why she should not do
directly what she does indirectly? II i. is
proper that her opinion should influence a
mans vote, is there any good reason why it
should not be independently expressed? The
writer says that women are represented by
men. There is no such thing as virtual rep
resentation. The guarantee of equal oppor-
the United States can vote for me. am the
best judge of my responsibilities and powers.
sold Fogy" further says, ga vote represents
a home" If he is acquainted with statistics
and facts or has had moderate opportunities
for observation, he cannot fail to see that
many American women never marry. Anna
Dickinson lately told US that two million
women are employed in the United States
outside of home. And the last census of
Mass. showed that there are sixty thousand
more adult females than males in the State.
large percentage, ninety l think, are ma
tive citizens, and large number property
owners.
We have a large native element in the pop
ulation of our own State, and / believe much
unused power which ought to be brought in
to service. 1t seems to me that every wise
legislator will convert all the means of the
State into powers. have no more super
stition about the ballot than l have about
any other method of social Improvement and
progress, but l believe at this time, when
women are asking for political equality, that
the most segacious statesman is the organizer
and disposer of justice to all.
The writer quoted DR.. Gray to show that
woman hasn't the amount of brain that man
has. Well, DR.. Gray gives woman's average
at nine tenths that of man, which is a respect
able approximation. aud when she comes to
have the instruction of Harvard, for hun
dred or thousand years, who can tell but
she may accumulate the other tenth?
From experience, observation, and the tes-
timony of teachers, find that in our schools
girls are fully equal to boys in brain work {;
often the girl outstrips the boy in acquire
ment. 1t is later that VIC see the difference
and l must believe that it comes Of inequality
of conditioner circumstances. The boy is
educated to feel that he is to become part o +
self governing and self supporting commu-
nifty, while eql girl is educated to feel
what? Well, that was pretty well answered
by Anna Dickinson and others in our city
this winter. / want the State to give the
girl the same opportunity that it does the
boy, put into her hand a ballot, as it does the
boy, whereby she will acquire just self re-
spect which has been depressed by false no.
tions about participating in government, and
it will create wholesome public opinion
when she will not have to compromise her
social position by earning her food. clothing
and means of culture.
l also, with "Wifc and Mother" regard
suffrage trustand that it is the duty ofwoman
to assume that trust. She is a member of
the State and ought to be equally interested
with men, in its welfare. Ought woman to
have less concern than a man in the laws that
regulate social questions or in the general
policy of government which she is called to
support?
1t is generally conceded that women are