Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1914-11-25
.sTI-sUFFRAGE TALK.
49,. O. ID. Oiiphant, of New Jersey
Addresses Ellsworth Women.

Addresses ftfsWoftn women.
"a, wednesday afternoon an audience
.hout fifty representative women OF
r,,sworth gathered in the home of Mrs.
.aarew p. Wiswell to listen the address
a,urs O. d. oIiphant. of Trenton, New
,.,.sv. who is making tour OF this State
snder the auspices of the State branch OF
.Dti-suffrage associations Mrs. John
min. of Augusta, wife OF former Gov
NOR Hill. is deeply interested in the
.,oyement, and is financing the campaign
In this state.
Mrs. oliphsnt has just returned from a
rigorous campaign in the western states.
she ia woman OF charming personality,
convincing speaker, and thoroughly
oonversant with her subject. One point
maintained was that the demand for sut-
,,age was the demand Of a small mi
rority of women, as the suffrage leaders
only claim 100000 members, while there
are A,ooo,eOO wo,nen in this country.
nThis government" she said, "is based
upon the principle of majority rule"
Mans interest and woman's interest
are one and the same and cannot be sepsr-
ated. While the anti-suffragists do not
believe that women are in any way in
--,erior to men, they do believe they are
fundamentally different. Man Is given
superior physical strength, that he may
contend with forces that hamper his de-
velopment To woman nature has en-
trusted the rearing OF the child, and to
that end the care OF the home falls to her
lot. Her duties are of no less vital i'm
postance and value than mans.
The antirsuffragists believe that in all
the activities outside the home woman's
influence is far greater II free from the en-
tangements of political party and faction.
With no political end In view, no political
tsvors to ask and none to bestow, woman
can give more effectively her labor and
support to religious, social, educational,
philsnthropic and charitable institutions.
The speaker cited several instances
where the conditions regarding women
and children in the suffrage states were
no better, often worse, than in the nom
suffrage states, and paid a high tribute to
the fathers and husbands who had con-
stantly lsborcd for improvement in the
conditions surrounding the women and
children in industry. The State OF Maine
compares iavorably with many others in
regard to the child labor law and age OF
consent, and Is far ahead OF several states
where the women have been voting for
many years.
It is often urged by the surragists
the liquor evil would be eradicated, or
nearly so, by the women's vote. There is
no evidence to sustain the promise. Not
one OF the suffrage states is a prohibition
state save Kansas. which had prohibition
before it had equal franchise.
Mrs. oliphant plainly answered some OF
the accusations made by the suffragists,
that the ''antis" had been identified with
the liquor interests, giving facts which
proved the opposite was quite true. The
anti-suffragists point out that women do
not avail themselves OF the franchise
after the privilege is theirs.
In the last presidential election, Nov. 8,
1912, only twenty-seven per cent. of the
women Of California registered, showing
beyond a shadow of doubt that 70 per
cent. did not wish to vote.
The hackneyed quotation, taxation
without representation is tyranny" was
neatly handled. 1t was true at the time
OF its utterance when England was taxing
our colonies without allowing them
representation in parliament, but con-
ditions are very different now, an
cold facts prove that the majority OF
women holding taxable property are not
among those asking for the franchise.
All industries are open to woman subject
only to her ability and efficiency; these
opportunities have not been secured by
the ballot, but by the general advance in
ideas
After the meeting was over, Mrs. OH
plant was asked to define feminism.
Her brief answer showing the trend OF
the suffrage movement was a revelation.
One of the ladies has thrown away her
wedding ring, as she considered it badge
OF slavery. Many do not use their hus-
bands surnames, and they advance ideas
as to children that would shock the home
loving woman.
'Hs citpudHt lIAuc AL oio4uSht PiS"
Tor the home--to guard the home, to so
model it that the influence going out
from ii would exact OF every man the
very best he can do or be. "Opinion
does not follow legislation, but legislation
follows opinion, she said, and woman has
unique opportunity for moulding public
opinion.