Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-09-01
Poeitc4 i~
Pe~~oqesa&io
BY tho Ex-Comnitteeman

Pennsylvania has voted on over q
score of proposed constitutional
amendments in as many years and
has a couple of important amend
ments ahead of it before the third
decade of the century begins, but it
| is not the only State wherein the
referendum is being invoked on con-
templated changes to the organic
law. There will be elections on sug-
Sested constitutional changes in per-
| haps dozen States this year. but
what will particularly interest Penn
sylvania is that the State of Maine
Is about to struggle with woman suf-
| frage. The Pine Tree State, which
has held an important place in the
political horizon of the Keystone for
years because of its early election
and the prohibition law. is going to
vote on September 10 on the Ques-
| ton which this State defeated a few
years ago and which because of the
| adverse action of the lower branch
OF the 1917 Legislature it will not
have chance to express an opinion
upon until about 1921.
Maine is undergoing a strenuous
| campaign with both the suffragists
and the ants placarding walls and
| oillboards and having banners on
streets, but they have not got the
system in the campaign that marked
| the suffra gists' organization here a
few years ago The form of the
proposition is different than in Penn
sylvania. There are two proposals,
although but one vote is required
The spaces for voting, too, are ar
ranged differently than from this
states voting plan. The advertise
ment, which is certified as a repro
duction OF the ballot, shows a width
of three columns with white spaces
an inch and a half long by an inch
deep at either side. There can be
no mistaking that the "yes" space
is at the right hand and the mo"
Mt the left. The proposed amend
ment is No. l, and gives notice that
chapter of the resolves of 1917"
submits 1t. There are four other
amendments for the voters OF Maine
to wrestle with week after next. One
provides for removal of sheriffs by
the Governor and council when the
sheriffs fail to be good; another pro-
vides that the Legislature may di-
vide towns into polling places; the
third puts the militia in line with
United States requirements and stip-
Ulates that Quakers and Shakers,
among others, may be exempted and
the fifth relates to the apportion-
ment of representatives in event of
mergers of towns. Each town hav-
ing 1900 inhabitants is to get a rep
7 resentatiVe. but no town can have
over seven except that when cities
and towns merge they have the COM
bined representation. The plantation.
corresponding roughly to our second
class township, is taken care of in a
peculiar way. 1t is allowed to join
with town to get. the l, 500 neces-
sary to obtain member. but there
is also this provision: whenever
any town or towns. plantation or
plantations. not entitled to elect
representative, shall determine
against a classification. with any town
or plantation. the Legislature may,
at each apportionment of represent
attves on the application of such
town or plantation. authorize it to
elect a representative for such por-
ton of time and such periods, as
shall be equal to its portion of rep
resentation; and the right of rep
be altered until the next general
apportionment."
Pennsylvania conhdes apportion-
ment to its Legislature on a ratio
basis and if it ever got down to
such fine distinctions on a proposed
constitutional amendment there
would be a recrudescence of the de-
I manu- LOI Il new constitution WITH ali
/ its terrors for business.
Practically the whole State is
turning its attention to-day to fare
well to the drafted men and political
meetings and maneuverings have for
the time being a secondary place.
! Even in Pittsburgh the parades and
demonstrations have detracted from
/ the mayoralty fuss and in the an
/ thracite region Labor Day parades
| and farewells to the young soldiers
will dwarf the battles.
Governor Brumbaugh will prob
ably stay a few days in Philadelphia
and vicinity, but it is doubtful
whether he will take any action on
anything. 1t was not known at his
Office whether he would come here
or not.
Most of the Senators in Eastern
| Pennsylvania We're at the funeral of
/ Senator w. w. Smith yesterday.
| No decisions in the nominating
| mandamus cases are expected be-
fore the middle of next week.