Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-07-30
The w. C. T. U. misunderstanding

North Lubec, Me-, July rs, 1914.
Editor Kennebc Journal:
It seems incumbent on me as the re-
firing president of the Washington
County Womens Christian Temper
anee Union to explain why the last
annual convention failed to pass a
resolution endorsing Governor Haines.
1 do this because of the publicity that
the press of the State has given the
matter and because of the widely
published statement of Mrs. Althea
Quimby, president of the State organ
ization, to the effect that it does not
represent the sentiment of Washing
ton county.
Mrs. Quimby bases her assumption
that the other counties endorse Cover
nor Haines on the fact that they pass
e6 the resolutions of endorsement
that were sent out by the State off,
GERS powerfully enforced by the state
ment that it was one of the last re-
quests of our newly lamented leadr,
Mrs. Lillian NJ. n. Stevens.
Now on the same basis. have we not
the right to assume that the action
of the Washington county conven-
ton in voting unanimously to strike
out the resolution of endorsement is
indicative of a sentiment against Gov
ernor Haines?
The member who took the floor in
so called opposition to the measure
arose to offer an amendment to the
resolution that should commend Cover
nor Haines for the brave stand that he
had taken in some localities and con-
denim him for his gross neglect in 9TH
er portions of the State. Attention
as especially called to Bangor, Water
vile, Rockland and Eastport. Before
the amendment could be formally ord
ed, at the request of the chairman of
the resolutions committee the speak
err surrendered the floor to her. She
stated that she had not thought the
resolution should be passed but that
she had presented it because it was
Mrs. Stevens last request. She then
moved that the resolution be stricken
out which was done without one dis
senting vote.
AS for the intimation that il was a
political move on the part of wo-
man whose husband is a politician, we
would call Mrs. Quimby's attention to
the fact that during the candidacy of
her husband for congressman in the
Third district that she positively for
babe the women to make any effort to
commit the Union to his candidacy in
any way, although many of them de-
sired to do so because of his known
attitude on the temperance question.
The w. C. T. u. Is a non-partisan
organization. Our membership is made
up Of women whose party preferences
vary and while there may be occa-
sions when it's influence may be safe
ly thrown on the side Of a candidate
this is certainly not one of them,
have requested the State president of
the organization to give me a week of
her valuable time and have offered to
pay all of the expense of an auto tour
in the State that she may see for her
self that it is inconsistent for an or
sanization that stands for prohibition
in the State and nation to express sat
isfaction it'll the present administra-
ton.
do not see how Governor Haines
and his associates can construe the
action of the counties outside of
Washington as indicative of anything
but entire satisfaction it'll the pres
ent condition Of affairs. In the event
of his re- election, how can they pos
sibly demand anything better AS for
Washington county w. c. T. u, it
stands for something better from the
next administration, no Difference who
it's leader may be.
EFFIE M. LAWRENCE.