Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-01-04
Woman Suffrage at This Session.
The following communication has
been received from the Maine w. C. t.

been received from the Maine w. c. II.
T.:
The Maine Woman's Christian
Temperance Union if fully commit
ted to woman's suffrage and will
ask the present Legislature to sub
init to the voters of Maine the
question of amending the constitu-
ton of the State so as to give the
ballot to the women of Maine. The
National w. C. r. Z. has a fran
chise department" and the super
1ntcndent, Mrs. Deborah Knox Liv-
ingston, has recently moved to
Maine. Mrs. Edward NJ. Lawrence
of Lubec, who has within the year
come to Maine to live. is also an
ardent suffragist. Mrs. Lawrence
is one of the National w e. T. u.
lecturers and organizers. These two
gifted speakers of national fame
will be of great assistance to the
Maine w. c.. 7. II. officers, the
county presidents. State superin-
tendents and hundreds of local
unions scattered throughout the
State.
The Kennebec journal is asked If II
will kindly publish the item, end we
respond with pleasure. We heartily en-
dorse the position of the Woman S
Christian Temperance Union on the
question of woman suffrage Give the
voters of Maine opportunity for dis
cussion and vote upon this question.
The history of the franchise in this
great nation has been one of constant
extension and betterment More and
more we are leading the best minds to
the front 10 frame our destinies. More
and more we are bound TO relegate ig-
norance and illiteracy.
ard enlargement of the electorate, just
sasiit is toward education and uplift.
In our Union nine states with a popu-
lation of approximately 100000 people
according to the census of 1910, have
admitted women to the full suffrage
These states are accorded high av-
ierage Of intelligence. Shall Maine long
daily in the rear
In no state, can we admit for a mo-
ment, is there higher average of wo-
in the State of Maine. The Church
and the Grange recognize these facts
And Just as true and plain is the evil
dence that woman suffrage has gained
largely in the past decade and marvel
ously in twelve months.
In such great, advanced and advanc-
ing states as Kansas, California and
Washington woman has come into hel
own. In New York Governor Sulzel
has just recommended to the legisla-
hitting to the voters of the state, as
soon as possible the woman suffrage
mendation was in accordance with 1
pledge made to the people in the recen
campaign i4NaNiii6 newspapers ai'
commencing Governor Sulzer for hi.
stand.
Let Maine have a decision upon thi.
question after a season of open dis
cussion. We believe it is time for Main,
to acknowledge the intelligence, tn,
character the practical common sens
of its woman population. We believ'
that thousands of Maine women ar
ready to vote and to vote with vastl.
better knowledge of public affairs ant
infinitely higher purpose. than vote
the newly enfranchised man of foreign
birth who, many times, knew not tn
meaning of franchise until coming t.
this country.
The opposition to woman suffrag,
clings to the long outlawed, disproyei
argument of responsibility too grea
for woman" Let us discuss the ques
tion first and then see if the men o
Maine are not ready TO recognize thu
equality OF their helpmates.