Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-03-06


says: Il have come to look for great
ultimate good from woman suffrage,
but | believe il will not he as imme-
date as many seem to think. The ben
eft will be reactive Woman will re-
tain all her womanly charms and will
take broader view of life and its
relations. She will be better citizen,
because more thoughtful intelligent
individual. She will at least be as
conscientious in securing for herself
an intelligent comprehension of the
civic problems, as is the average man,
and viii be It better because more in
telligent, mother and companion. She
cannot but be i'm better position. be-
cause of her enlarged interest, to train
and direct her children, and who can
doubt the great ultimate advantage to
the race
Here in Pasadena we have had two
elections to decide certain municipal
problems and also a Presidential pri-
mary, and | know of many women who
were opposed to the extension Of suf-
frage, who have not failed To vote at
each opportunity
Now, gentlemen, this is not senti-
ment, this is not theory this is 4
plain statement Of facts made by
practical man closely observing the
practical workings Of the law in city
where women have the ballot and use
it,
The people are demanding the right,
and the demand is legitimate to vote
upon this question, and we cannot con-
refuse them this privilege. knowing
this demand to he state wide.
We, as members of this house. have
the power but no moral right To say
to the people Of Maine: You are not
to be trusted. You shall not vote upon
this question.
Mr.. Speaker: shall vote to sub
NIT the question of equal suffrage for
women, to the people. and as Gov
Hoch said in his lecture, last evening,
You may as well get ready for it,
MS coming" (AppIauseD
Mr.. W HELLER of South Paris: Mr.
Speaker and gentlemen of the House:
| do not have any intention Of occupy
ing the time of the House, this morn
ing, in continuing the line IF discus
sion which we participated in a few
days ago. | believe we all appreciate
the advantages of Legislative proce-
dlrc in this instance which has al
lowed the house to hear and pass upon
arguments in favor of Womans suf-
rage upon the merits of the question
itself Now, We come, this morning. to
the parliamentary stage which is not
concerned particularly with the cues
ton of woman's suffrage as we would
vote upon it at the polls We are con-
cerned solely, this morning. with the
question of whether ii is advisable 10
submit this matter To the people for
their decision The remarks which
are proper to be said upon the meas
nre by the friends of the measure have
already been made. and it is my in
tention now to SOLELY second the force
OF theh remarks made by The gentle
man from Augusta, who sis on this
side of the House (Mr. Swift. as OPP
posed TO the gentlemen from Augusta.
who sits ON the other side Of the
House (Mr NeWbert }. InaSmafh as
the third candidate for the mayor of
Augusta is not entitled 10 speak anon
the floor of the House possibly | NAV
be speaking for him. | wish II To be
understood that the friends of The
measure do not desire to participate in
discussion Of a matter which will
probably go 10 the voter but at this
time the friends of the measure do in
sist that the members of the House
ought to vote upon this question mere
Nv nDOn ha ..F
dunn. This is the day Of the referen
outn. They are Interested in this
question and they are entitled to ex-
press their opinion upon its passage. 7
hope the measure will have the reoui
site number of votes TO secure its fin
al passage
MI. DUNTON of Belfast: When the
llrst vote was taken on this resolve 7
voted IN Its favor. | did not hear any
suihcient argument presented against
TINS resolve to convince me that 7
ought to vote against it, and | fear
that the main question has NOT heen
properiyacohsidered by us upon whom
lies the duty to decide il. The plain
ana simple question is whether We
men of the Maine Legislature shall per-
mt the men who sent us here tn net
Tor them to express their wishes in re-
iatlon to this question in the way that
lhe constitution of this state provides.
we are not here gentlemen to settle
questions Of this sort II is bevond
our province to say whether the Wo-
men OF this State shall vote. or whatb
ef they shall not The men who sent
US here should retain in their own
Hdilus the power To change the Com
stltution that governs all the d0inas
Oh TINS Legislature The sovereign now
er that once rested in King now re-
sizes IN the sovereign people of This
state, and that Constitution which is
our guide provides that whenever de-
sire is expressed To change that Com
Sututlon the people themselves shall
vote upon it, The question that has
peeh agltated here largely is this:
ouSht the men of Maine To grant tbe
flsht OF suffrage to women, when the
real question is. ought this Lesis-
azure to permit the men of Maine to
sraht' IL they see tit. the right to vote
10 the women of Maine. Is there anv
probability, gentlemen, that the men
OF this State would grant the right
OF suffrage to women? If not. whv
shall 4, cub