Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-03-05
PattaneaIi Lashes Would Be Leaders

With Messrs. Plaisted and Pattan-
gall in favor of submitting the woman
suffrage amendment, the Democrats
of the House appear to be IN a
quandary as to what they had better
do and Leader Newbert's leadership
grows shaky-Portland Press.
And as proof of the pudding. read
the following from Tuesday mornings
issue of Pattangalrs personally con-
Quoted organ:
When the final vote is taken in the
House of Representatives on the passage
of the resolve submitting to popular vote
an amendment to the constitution provid-
ing for equal suffrage for men and wo-
men, there are certain matters which the
Democratic members ought TO take 10
consideration.
I 1t should he remembered that If this re-
solve is defeated II will be by DEMOCRATIC
votes and the responsibility for its defeat
The Progressives will vote for the re-
solve. 1t is a part of their party policy
to support equal suffrage The Republl-
cans will vote for it with practical una
Democratic votes
Can Democrats afford to defeat it? Can
Democrats logically vote against IL? Is
1T not clearly and plainly the duty oil
Democrats to support it?
1t is cardinal principle of Democracy
that the people must be allowed to rule,
TO run the government according to their
own ideas and in their own way; that
the mass of voters should be given the
largest possible share in the work OF
Hence we naye adoptsd
principle of the referendum. We have
argued that it is always safe to trust the
people We have tainted our opponents
with being afraid to trust the people:
We have proclaimed from a thousand
platforms-the doctrine that whenever a
substantial number of people desire the
opportunity to vote on any important
question, they ought to be given that OPP
portunity.
How Shall we square our professions
with our practice if we vote down the
equal suffrage resolve? The question
before the legislature is not "Shal1 wo-
men vote?'' 1t Is 'Shall the people of
Maine be allowed to decide whether or
not women shah voter
No man who believes in the referendum
can fail to answer that question In the
affirmative. legislator who does not
believe in woman suffrage at all and who
intends to vote against 1t at the polls can
still vote to submit the question to the
people and justify himself in so doing
How can Democrat Justify himself in
taking an opposite position?
There was more of it, just as sane
and just as pointed-the singing lash
VI Il citlOSS iHt SlOuiuttS VI
those narrow gauge. would-be Demo-
cratic leaders who set out to defeat
suffrage in the Legislature And they
would have done it, too, but for the
timely discovery of their purpose ana
prompt publicity of it by the Kenne
bee Journal More astute Democratic
leaders saw the danger of having the
entire onus of defeat dumped upon
the Democratic party. Governor
Plaisted promptly disowned the move
ment and word reached Dictator Pat
tangall in his sick chamber.
the suffragists with the Church and
Grange sentiment behind it, 1t would
handicap Democracy sadly in the next
campaign.
So, therefore, the ban is lifted.
Democracy will be good and the ques-
will be submitted to the people. Then
look out!
Democratic leaders of Maine hate
woman suffrage. Under the lulling
appearance of Democratic favor, the
, suffragists will do well to man or wo-
man every gun. The worst is yet to
come. The Democratic organization
will be used to its utmost to defeat the
equal suffrage amendment in the vote
/ of the people. Every force that can
be mustered by the personal liberty
and regulation" Of rum traffic outfit,
| will be modified in the coming cam
paign.
The friends of suffrage should lose
not a moment in perfecting their or
/ ganization and in going TO the people
! The moral forces of the State are with
them. The Grange has done and will
do splendid service for equal suffrage
The churches and other uplifting
forces will stand Loyalty by the cause
ALI these win be opposed by the