Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-02-18
WOMAN's SUFFRAGE.
Proponents Of Measure Have Clear
Field Before judiciary Committee.

The biennial plea for WOmen's suf-
rage was held before the committee
N judiciary in the hall of the House
n Representative Wednesday after
loon George H Allan of Portland
conducted the case for the proponents
If the measure and there was no OPP
position.
II have been reminded, said Mr..
\llan. that woman is weaker than
nan, and can do but little to increase
he weight of physical force
necessary to protect her political
lights. Let me remind you in return
hat when it can be said that the thou
sands Of men, who by reason of weak
ness and infirmity, who by reason Of
Id age and the hundred affections OF
ife are not Justly entitled to the priv
lege of the ballot then it can be said
hat women are not entitled to it. Let
ne remind YOU further that under any
'orm Of government. certain fo-'ce
S necessary. The question is by whom
shall it be applied? Under the prin-
iples of democracy even. not all able
bodied men are designated to make
he application. They cannot, for it
you'd be a mob. The requisite force
s applied BY means of police sys-
-em, or perhaps an army establish
nent recruited from the individuals
BEST fitted to serve. If then, it is I'M
Just for women to Will because they
cannot execute, is it not equally I'M
Just for men?
In the second place. CONTINUED Mr..
Allan, "a democracy is an association
sustained and directed by moral force.
Under a system of equal suffrage, the
moral force of women will be more
effective. or the governing forces Of
/ democracy originate from the feel
ings, not of the whole people, but Of
those capable of effective action. 1t
is the armed power that the despot
fears, not the unarmed. The powers
If evil everywhere fear women's>suf
frage has been abundantly proved IN
states where Woman's suffrage mas
been adopted. | submit. when we can
truthfully say that the injection OF in
creased moral force into our political
life will not be for the advantage Of
our State coming as it must from an
increased number Of highly organized
Individuals then we can just as truth
fully say that woman is not entitled
to the ballot and should not have
it.
but / am reminded that time is
limited" concluded Mr.. Allan, There
is however much that | would like to
say, but must leave it to others. Let
mc remind you in conclusion that I'M
der present political conditions Wo-
man is no greater sufferer than man.
She is half OF mankind. Social pro-
grcss has heretofore been conserved by
man alone. He does not desire, in fact,
resents and suggestion of change. BY
his prejudice, political moral duties
are hindcred; labor and production
suffer from the same cause: they all
stand in need of the help
that women can give: We submit that
it is high time that the vast compile
mentary forces of woman be utilized,
ana she be allowed to take her place
by our side, as common members 81
a real commonwealth founded upon
the rights of man, and not on the
right of man
Mrs Fannie J. Fernald of Old Or
chard. the president Of the Maine Wo-
mans Suffrage Association was next
speaker in behalf OF the measure.
we only ask" said Mrs. Fernald'
that a chance be given to the men
Of Maine to vote on the question rs
to whether or not the women shall be
given the right to vote"
Mrs Georgg r. French, one Of the
oyerscers of the poor and president
of the Civic Club of Portland, was the
next speaker.
The opponents of this measure,