Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-09-06
ONE HUNDRED LEADING MEN
OF MAINE FAVOR SUFFRAGE
Declaration of Principles by States Most Promi-
nent for the Guidance of Others on Sept. 10
Governor, Congressman, Judges, Legislators
State Officials and Business Men.

I by their patient development and evolu-
ton up through the several stages Of
/ property, Industrial and educational
! freedom until they have fully proved
themselves possessed of all the essen
tial qualifications for the enjoyment Of
their political freedom.
| THIRD. We believe it is expedient
that women should have the ballot
since 1t would not be detrimental to
government but would, in our judg-
ment. add measurably to the efficiency
of government and promote the gen.
oral welfare of society and the develop
nent of woman herself. While we do
rot believe that woman suffrage will
usher in the millennium or cause anv
marked revolution in politics or gov
ernmcnt, it is our judgment that the
entrance of women into politics will
bring to that field an added moral
force which will tend in the long run to
their elevation and will impress upon
POI tics woman'S characteristic point
D. view by accenting the humanitarian
side of life in the passage of desirab BILE
laws for the betterment Of moral and
social conditions.
! We believe that the exercise of the
franchise will not take woman out of
the home to the injury of socty. but
VIII assist her in promoting interests
! OF the home which today are not con-
fined within the four walls but are
| &C mmensurate with the interests of the
community. the state and the nation
We believe that by the exercise of the
franchise women will broaden their
horlzon, strengthen their grasp and de-
Veiop their general character intelli-
stnce and stature as human beings.
! fot RTH. We feel that women need
the right to vote. not only to protect
themselves and their children in the
home. but also the women in industry
VINO have no home except such as they
can make for themselves and will need
to that end equal wages for equal work
and sanitary environments. Women
are vitality concerned with every mat
ter that touches the household. from
housing and sanitation to the cost of
living; with everything that concerns
children-the most vital of all our in
ittttStS-frorr their custody and oduca-
tlon TO matters OF hygiene and punish
fnent, with whatever has to do with the
: fcaflons of men and women from the
LAWS OF marriage. divorce and inherit
lance to the regulation of the Houor
tratf1c; with all that relates to condi
uCnS OF lahor-from factory regulation
ana the regulation of child labor TO
"oFkmen's compensation laws. In very
/ truth. in respect to everything in tho
world that affects the life Of population
a" whole. the interest of woman. her
responsibility and her liability to suffer
from the effects of bad government arc
as great and as directly involved as
are those of man
FIFTH. Women want the right TO
vote. Among the women of this conn
try there is a demand for the privilege
OF the franchise such as never existed
among any equal number of men. The
history of man suffrage shows that Il
came. about not in response to the de-
mand of majority but was practically
thrust unon the greater number Of men
voters at the request of small minor
! ity in recognition of the fundamental
principles of democracy. above stated,
hich found the best development Of
! the individual and of civilization to be
accomplished by exercising all people
in the responsibilities Of self govern