Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-01-29
Woman Suffrage Convention.


at ten O'Clock in Granite Hall, and called to order
by the President, Mr.. Nye.
Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr.. jacques of Halo.
well.
The records of the last annual meeting were
read by the Secretary, Miss Qunby.
On motion Of Mrs. Qunby, the following com
nittee was appointed to nominate list Of officers:
Rev. Mr.. Kinds, Mrs. C. W. Quinby and Mrs. W.
X. Lancey.
While the committee out, remarks
made by several gentlemen.
Rev. Mr.. Jaques of Hallowell, said lie had been
interested in the subject for years. Believed that
it is not only womans right to VOTE but that it will
be blessing to the community for her to do go.
Belonged to the liberty party of this State when it
numbered but bakers Dozen He then expected
to live to see the slave emancipatcd, and hoped to
live to woman fully emancipated
MIR. Nye thought that when woman had the bal!
lot. the rum traffic would be done away with.
Rev. Mr.. Houghton of Bath, said he felt an in
terest in the movement, and had no doubt that in
the future woman would have all the rights that
been Kept in a subordinate position to man; and
at the same time she has shown superior abilities
When we are told that woman is not competent to
carry vote, we forget that One-halt of the battle
of freedom has been fought by woman. At no
distant day this reform will take its place one
of the great facts of the times. BY the nature of
the constitution of our government, woman should
stand side by side with man in all the great qucs-
tons that agitate the times.
For Presldent-lion. Benz. kingsbury, Jr.. Of
Portland.
Hon. John Neal of Portland, DR.. VIM. b. Lapham
of Augusta, Mrs. Judge Dickerson of Belfast,
Rev. A. c. sweetsir of Kockland, Rev. J. X. Mason
of Thomaston, Rev. j. W. Hines, Mrs. Mary Lynch,
Cyrus Foss, Esq, Rev. A. Battles of Bangor.
recording Secretary-Miss Addie Qamby of
Augusta.
Corresponding Secretary--Miss Norton.
For Treasurer Mrs. VIM. X. Lancey.
For Executive COMMUNICATION. Joshua Nye Of
Whitehonse, Esq, Mrs. c. A. Quinby, Augusta,
Mrs. W. w. Rice of Thomaston, Mrs. l.. Z. Beck
with of Augusta Mrs. A. +. Greedy, Ellsworth.
The report was accepted and the officers declared
elected
The new President Hon. Benz. Kingsbury, Jr.-
accepted the position in some very iinc and appro
pirate remarks,
On motion of W.P. whitehouse, Esq.. the fol.
lowing committee was appointed to prepare reso-
lutlons 10 be reported to the convention: w. +.
Whitehouse, Howard Owen, Miss Mary Ross.
The Executive Committee made report OF the
condition of the treasury, showing that the total
amount received s73.3s; paid ont sit.23; leaving
$29lC in the treasury.
Adjourned to evening.
EVENING SESSION.
Although stormy Granite Hall was well filled.
The meeting was called to order by the President.
Prayer offered by Rev Mr.. IIoughon Of
Bath, followed by song by Ms. Houghton. who
appeared to be as happy in her aingng as in her
public speaking.
". p. Whitehouse, Esq, chairman of the
mittee on resolutions, reported the following
series:
Whereas, the Acknowledgement of woman, in ad.
dition to its palpable injustice impairs the moral
yigor of society, delays reforms and encourages a
spirit of weak dependence and intellectual apathy
in woman. and the institution of partial or oppres.
siye social and political regulations by man;
Whereas, the women of Maine now ask for the
ballot with more unanimity and earnestness than
the colorcd people of America. or the househoders
OF England did previous to their enfranchisement;
women, are wholly imaginary, and certainly much
less worthy of consideration than those Of other
prescribed classes that have at length been eman-
cipated, including the men lately in rebellion
against the government; and
Whereas, the attempt of man to conduct the gov
eminent in the present partial, one-sided and I'M
symmetrical way, deliberately ignoring onehalfof
the mind and conscience that ought to be employed
the direction of public affairs has resulted in 30
much confusion, strife and corruption that republi-
can government is seriously endangered,
Resolved, That the members of this convention
regard the removal OF woman's political disabilities
the cause which rghtuy claims the precedence
OF other refoTmatory movements since it is that
which Is calculated TO render all others possible;
RESOLVED, that we pledge ourselves never to
cease the agitation We have begun till all unjust
Determinations against women are swept away.
RESOLVED, that the members of the State legisla-
ture now in session earnestly eXhorted to grant
the prayer Of the hundreds OF petitioners who
RESOLVED, That the passage of act emp0w-
cling the women OF Maine to vote at Presidential
elections and all others in which the qualifications
of the electors are not prescribed by the constitu
ton, would afford an opportunity for trying the
pertinent of woman suffrage under circumstances
that would furnish satisfactory test of its utility,
and that such an acti the least that the Legsla-
ture can honorably and i'll good conscience accord
10 its prosecuted citizens.
Whereas, in the past history of this State more than
one million of dollars has been voted by the Legis.
ture for the endowment and maintenance OF col.
leges, scminaries, academies ant. high schools al.
most entirely devoted TO the education OF the male
portion Of the population; and, whereas, there has
been maintaineda state Reform school for boys
nearly twenty years and without the aid Of indi-
vidua donations, therefore
Resolved, Thatit is the sense OF this convention
and the prayer of the women OF Maine, that the
present legislature should Immediately vote 4 sum
equal to the amount offered by Mrs. Flagg, Mrs.
Drummer and Hon. Abner Coburn, for the estab-
lishment Of an Industrial School at Hallowell for
the welfare of the friendless little girls the State
10 the end that they may be saved to society and
the State correspondingly benefRted.
The resolutions were adopted.
Hon. \, G.. Blackwell OF Boston was then intro
duced lie said that it was not the intention of
this movement to set up woman, in opposition to
man. He argued that as the government rests up
on the consent Of the governed, why not get
the consent OF the women. Our fathers fought for
the principle that taxation Should carry with it
representation. Our principles are false, or we
must grant woman the right OF suffrage This
aill lead to woWans, education. lie showed the
acter of pablo men, II women granted
The right of suffrage, and The cad Of
OF government aud The mnds OF community viii
feel the influence of woman in her acknowledged
right. Republican institutions are in danger to.
day, on account Of the abuse ofthe caucus system.
Politics are becoming a distinct trade, and good
men stay away from the polls. To remedy this the
social sympathy and cooperation of the women is
desired. Caucuses would then become great
schools Of political learning; woman in this de.
partme mt would exert rs benign influence as she
does elsewhere.
Rev. Mrs. Gustin Of Mans field, Massachusetts,
was the next speaker. We are told that the bible
provides y sphere for women, and texts are quoted
to show that man is to rule over woman; but the
whole line of argument is libel upon the word OF
God God created man male and female, making
woman mans equal Study the bible with I'M.
prcjudiced mind, and not one text will be found
that places woman in a subject condition She
cited many of the female characters in the bible to
establish Ibis point. We should net use the bible
of preaching the Pauline doctrine, let us teach the
clevating and enobling principles of the doctrine
olChrist. She wanted the mother element brought
into public affairs.
Miss Mary F, astman of Lowell Mass, was in
troduGea, and hoped the audience would be willing
to accept from her a few random suggestions. She
reiterated the principle that taxation wi.hout rep.
rcsentaton is tyranny Our fathers enunciaed this
squarey She often felt annoyed to stand before
an intelligent audience and bring reasons why she
should vote. Boston has decided that women shall
not hold a position on the school committee. Aud
here VIC must come and prove that women are as
Intelligent as some men that they have property
TO be taxed, and want 10 he represented. We must
prove that we won't corrupt the morals OF commit.
nifty, if we should vote; we have to explain and
promise that we will do this OF that the other.
Now the facts that urge us to vote the facts that
would urge any person who is disfranchiSe She