The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-12-04
WOMAN sUFERAoIs rs.
Mrs. hannah J. Bailey Elected
President of Maine Association.
A Cheerful Meeting with interest
Ing Addresses.


terday afternoon In the hall in the Baxter
building. There was quite large attend
ance Of members and Others when at 8 p.
IL. the meeting was called to order by Rev.
Dr. Blanchard. president Of the association.
Prayer was offered by Rev. Abiel II.
Wright pastor Of the st. Lawrence street
church.
DR.. Blanchard then made brief open
ing address. He said that there was an
encouraging outlook in the campaign for
woman suffrage at the present time. In
this city he said that he was persuaded
that, we're they the present year to go before
the legislature with petitions for suffrage,
there would be no long petitions in oppo-
sition, as there were four years ago. he
thought that there had been many converts
In this city and elsewhere throughout the
state. He thought there was a agleat change
of heart throughout the state on the part of
the women. The same thing seems to be
growing all over the country. In the West
and especially In the South, where any
change so radical as this of enfranchising
women would naturally be very slow to
make headway. The work of the w. G. L.
u, which Dr. Blanchard emphatlcally said
was non- partisan body, is largely respon-
sible for this joining hands OF the women
OF the North and the South. All honor
therefore to the noble women Of the w. G.
L. U. In England the work is moving on.
Lord Salisbury, the premier, has publicly
advocated the extension of suffrage TO
women. and the liberals under the leader
ship of Gladstone have long made woman
suffrage one Of the seven cardinal points Of
their faith. In closing DR.. Blanchard
thanked the association.
Mrs. Caroline Dana Howe presented the
report Of the nominating committee, as
follows:
President-Mrs. II. j. Bailey, Winthrop.
Vice Presidents-Rev Dr. Blanchard, Mrs. G.
s. Hunt, Mrs. S: E. Spring. Hon. 7: B, Reed,
Portland; Ex-Gov. Frederick Robie, GOrham;
Ex-Gov. Nelson Dingley, Jr, Lewiston Mrs. A.
Gsssiey EsToTt9 MRS X a. 9Sl%by
w. Weston, skowhegan; Mrs. l.. j. Spaulding
Caribou.
Corresponding ecretary-Mrs.. Ethel H. os-
Record secretary-Mrs. s. F. Donnell, Port
land.
Treasurer--Dr. j. L. Hersom, Portland.
Executive CImmittee-President, Recording
Secretary. Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer
Mr.. I. n. Merrill, Mrs. L. M: N. stevens, Miss
Louise Titcomb. Mrs. Zenas Thompson, Mrs. j.
K. Mcdowell, Mrs. IL. f. Humphreys, Miss s.
w. Hamilton, Sac0.
Mrs. l.. NJ. N. Stevens presented the fol
lowing resolutions:
We recommend the formation of a local or
organization to promote the interests OF the
wOman'S suffrage cause. We recommend that
this shall be called the Portland Equal Suffrage
Club.
In view OF the fact that the annual meeting Of
the Maine Woman's Suffrage Association is
composed largely of Portland women, We re-
commend that a committee Ct fve be today
chosen to consider this plan and put In opera
tion such agencies as will bring tito pass.
we iurther recommend that careful consider.
alton be given TO the invitation TO organize in
the near future local woman's council 10 cor
respond with the plan OF the National Woman's
Council OF the United States.
The officers nominated were all elected
with an additional vice presicen to repre-
ent Aroostook, Mrs. l.. j. Spaulding of
Caribou.
The resolutions were then taken up. The
frst.was passed and the president appoint
ed the following committee, DR.. j. l.. Her
som, Mis-. G. d. Howe, Miss Louise Tit
comb, Mr.. Eta III. Osgood and Mrs. N. p.
Burgess.
Mrs. Stevens explained the purpose OF
woman's council at considerable length,
saying that, stripped Of all extra language
twas Intended to let each woman's club
know what all the others were doing and
| to bring those together which belong to-
| gether. She outlined plan OF council
for Portland, showing that it should con-
sist of the president ani one elected dele
gate OF each Of the furry more or less
woman's clubs who sh-uld meet together
| frequently in conference.
The same committee was appointed to
consider this matter with Mrs. M. T. w.
Merrill, Mrs. q. 5. Hunt and Mrs. LINN.
Stevens added.
| DIR. Hersom paid graceful tribute to
DIR. Blanchard for his long and valuable
services as president of the society and an
unanimous vote of thanks was given to
him.
Mrs. George 5. Hunt then took the plat
form and spoke Of "How l Became
Woman Suffragist." The various objec-
tions that have troubled her were: FIRST {;
woman cannot defend the laws, there
fore she should have no voice in the max
ing" ln 1864, In IA towns In Maine $50
men we're drafted and out Of that number
only 80 entered the ranks. If, therefore,
women ought not to vote because they
could not bear arms, should not these men
be disfranchised?
Out of $50 men 159 furnished substitutes.
Out Of the number of substitutes only 81
were adapted. Didn't the women furnish
substitutes when they sent their husbands
and sons? And ought not they to be
treated as well as the men?
Second. If women had the right Of
franchise the majority would vote with
their husbands, otherwise there would be
discord and strife in the family"
A the start women should be guided by
them. But when women begin TO think.
study and work out political problems for
themselves, then, of course, they would be
entitled to their own opinions. When we
try to analyzeit. why should man under
take to control the dictates OF the wife's
conscience In political matters more than
Ia any others When a boy comes of age
ne votes as he thinks is right. His father
may % disappointed II he doesn't vote
Win MS party, but 1t would be an infringe
@ @meu1 Oh MS manly prerOgative II that
snSi.9 snS ~ oe made the cause Of dissension,
ana II tue right Of franchise was granted,
30 tnat 8nlle daughter was growing up
" was understood that at the age Of q she
Il re IA