The Portland daily press., 1895-03-08
Spec ial to the PRESS.

Augusta, March THE funeral of the
listing bill IN the Senate today was not
largely attended and the exercises were of
solemn dignity in keeping with The obse-
quies. In the House. things were different.
There woman outrage was de ba ted. There
were not as many ladies present as at the
hearing on the suffrage question before the
Judiciary committee, but there were enough
OF them occupying seats the floor to
make the House look as it will bly,
look every day of the session one hundred
years hence. The women seem to be fast
learning that little details count in politics
and they took care that the law makers
view of the speeches should not be OBJ
struCted by three story theatre hats. Small
bonnets. consisting OF bcw of ribbon and
flower, were the rule, while Il glance over
the House from the gallery showed hat the
few ladies Who did Wear big hats had taken
seats in the rear of the hall. All OF this may
have been accidental of course, but II
suggests great political sagacity The ladies
were generous in their applause. and
joined in the laughter Which followed Mr.
Keegan's allusion to 1.-The ladies who are
here on paper and the ladies who are here
on exhibition"
The speaking was interesting. Mr.. Hamlin
started the deuaIe and grac efully delivered
q well considered argument in favor of the
bill. He was followed by Col plummer
who always commands attention. Mr.. hee-
gan, who made the chief spech in oppo-
tition, was vigorous enough in his remarks
to excite considerable applause and laugh
ter. Cnl. Plumner had answered many
arguments against woman suffrage, but he
did not know, apparently Of the stress Mr.
Keegan would put upon his cont ention at
divorces would become SO frequent that
marriage would finally be given up alto
gether. Representative Noble occ pied he
chair during the debate and Spea ker Powers
added his voice to those raised in behalf OF
the ladies. e.A sgJstB
The question came before the House in
the form of bill granting 10 women tue
right 10 vote in municipal elections. This
bill was reported by Messrs. Hamln, uarla a.
bee. Baines, Noble and Parsons of the
judiciary committee. 1t passed the House
after the debate by a votesofs9 to "a, which
is about whit has been expected. An argu-
ment against women voting is that they dc
not understand public affairs. From The
humber of times the question asked by
men today why two-thirds vote was not
taken. it would seem that all the lack oil
knowledge is not among the women. II
does not require an amendment 10 the Con
stitution 10 permit women TO vote in loca
atfails.
MR.. HAMLlN
in opening the discussion, said: History
shows Us that in early times the condition
of women was substantially that of slave
In later times, under our common law, bel
condition was somewhat pitiable. Or
marriage she lost her identity. If a chile
was born to hem her real estate became
her husba nd's for life. The mother haG
practically no control of her children il
law. Step IS step. 4ndin The face of bitter
opposition her conditionshas been improved
Under the law now sic may enjoy very
many plivil ges formerly denied her. Te
this legi lRlure belongs the credit of plac
ing he IL other On equal footing with the
i;ther in the custody of her children.
II suffrage lie Il natural right ii belongs as
much TO women to men. Women is an in
tellgent human being. She is educated
She owns property and pays taxes on it.
Her life, her property and her liberty are
as sacred as mans. Is it unnatural tina,
she should ask for an equal voice with mar
regarding life, liberty and property? WbeI
We show that this right belongs to wome z
as much as to men make out q primo
tacie case. But we meet with the old stocl
arguments in opposition. We are told
women should not vote as she cannot fight
When We think that the men who fig hit are
born of women in travail; when We re-