Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-11-05
Editors Letter Box
Areuses Maine suffrasi.t.
itor kennebec Journal

Editor kennehec Journal:
The result of the elections in the four
Eastern states that submitted suffrage
amendments to the voters was not de-
feat but postponed victory. Every vote
for suffrage was a gain. because this was
the first time an opportunity had been
given for expression by the ballot of
opinion on the question. Al the first
State board meeting of the women's Po-
iitical Union of New Jersey. after the
elections, the following resolutions were
passed:
We thank the 1900 men who voted
for the suffrage amendment independent
of all party influence. superior 10 all ma
chine manipulation. they could nave -oeen
actua'eo by nothing but sense OF JUS
tice, and belief in the integrity and IN
teiiisence OF the wonanhood OF me
State. and of womanhood III general We
congratulate ourselves that such body
CT Men exists in the state OF New Jersey
their confidence and their backing wnisa
gives Us courage to continue our nEhf
for political equality
We congratulate ourselves that, begin
tered leagues and a few dollars in our
treasury. the sufragists of New Jersey
achieved campaign which shook the
poilt!ca! life of this state 20 ITS depths,
chief political boss to defeat and Drew
out vote comparable to general cleo
ton With no Offices TO promise, no con-
tracts or franchises to serve as the ncn
piunls of success. no organization COM
parable 10 political organization. no
political experience to guide US, ana no
votes OF our own TO cast, IN the poSiuon
OF third party with the dominant par
ties against US. we. polled l52,eN votes
for the amendment and taxed the re
sources OF TWO party machines TO defeat
US.
The campaign has been a great edu-
cation 10 the people OF New Jersey. fore
ing them 10 the consideration OF the
whole nature OF government OF Genloc-
racy and the rights of human beings
In private letter received by the
writer. q sufragist Of New Jersey says;
In the saloons of Patterson in the win
dows were placards bearing the words:
Vote No on suffrage, we want drink
when we want IL" Undoubtedly the
causes that defeated the amendment in
New Jersey were the same tina, obtained
in the three great states that voted Tues
day.
If the anti-suffragists think the ques-
ton is settled IN the East by these cleo
tons. they have but. 10 read the state
ments OF leading suffrage workers who
are beginning to outline plans for stfii
more aggressive work. Mrs Gertrude
Halliday Leonard. chairman OF the cam
paign committee OF Massachusetts says;
The returns indicate defeat for the suf-
( trage amendment by two 10 one. This
means tina, we have one out Of every
three men in Massa chusetts who believe
1 in equal suffrage. We have now 10 con-
vince only one-haif as many more 10
I We shall start
! the new campaign on THURSDAY.
/ One result OF the election has been TO
arouse the women OF Maine as there IS
f; still chance OF our State being the hrst
70 come into the suffrage ranks in the
! East The writer while preparing TINS
| article was called 10 the telephone by
a woman who said. - have been read
F! ing an account OF the defeat of the
4 amendments in Massa chUsetEs. New YORK
and Pennsylvania and / want to take g
stand for suffrage and join the ranks o.
! workers" Her mother. she said, was .
! suffragiss and all her life actively inter
ested in the question and she added. i
| have held back long enough. / want IC
stand UP and be counted Far from be-
| ing discouraged by the recent elections
sutFragists all over the country will work
| with new vigoT. ~
I At the convention OF the Maine Woman
Suffrage Association % be held in Ken
,1ebunls Wednesday. NOV. i. in the Con
gragational church, : special effort viii
( be made TO urge the women OF Maine, It
wake 10 the great opportunity that Is
theirs 10 make our State tue TO its mot
/ to Every suG-aglsI should attend the
, convention o.. If that is impossible. en-
roll herself as 3 member Of the State so.
Z: cie1y. Let u nave not one indifferent
sufT-agi<t in the Sstate- Let US all<s1and
up and be counted
Helen \. Bates.
Pres.den, N. ". : 4. s Sherman St
| Portland. Me