Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-24
Miss Anna E. Coughlin
Speaks on Equal Suffrage

The opening gun of the campaign for
Woman Suffrage was fired on the
Common Monday evening, there being
fine attendance. Patriotic songs
We're sung with fine vigor and Mrs. f.
Lewis Wall Of Randolph sang the
Star Spangled Banner" most accept
ably Mrs. A. B. Libby presided and
introduced Judge Will G. Atkins, who
spoke briefly and then introduced Miss
Anna f. Coughlin, principal of the
Rockland High school. Miss Cough
lin is a delightful person decidedly
ant-mlitant, and thoroughly CONVEX
SAINT with her subject. She is also a
gifted speaker. which added much to
the pleasure of the evening.
| Miss Coughlin opened with a little
! story illustrative of the clear vision
and courage Of the child. which, she
| claimed is a vital need in the con-
sderation of the questions of the day,
| more than ever so since the picket
| inc of the White House. which she
, decried. She said that there are two
fears uppermost in the minds of the
men of the State today; that woman,
in the event of Woman Suffrage tri-
umphing, losing their feminine charm;
and the dissertation of the ideal Amer
lean homes. The first she dismissed
as arrant nonsense for the national
association have affirmed and re-af-
firmed their belief in the sanctity of
woman. Home conditions have chang
ed in common with all other condi-
tons. All the industries such as spin
ming and weaving have disappeared
from tho home and women of today
carry them on in the industrial world.
The care of the home is a large assign
ment and ever we'll performed by the
conservative woman.
The speaker referred to the fact that
there are in New York City 10000
sweat shops in which womans' and
children's clothing is made. and the
labor inspectors have not been able to
improve these conditions much. She
also stated that the making Of artif
cial flowers. no matter where they may
be purchased. and the stitching Of
gloves are done under like conditions.
No matter how careful the mother may
be, she cannot help such articles com
ing into the home. Politics generally
go with the largest number of votes
and the vote of the woman is necessary
to improve the above mentioned con-
ditions and secure a proper supervision
of such labor.
Miss Jane Adams is responsible for
the statement that many case Of scarlet
fever is directly traceable to these vile
workshops. The speaker cited the Red
Cross al an example of what woman is
doing today outside the home.
IF anybody should ask YOU where YOU
live you would say Gardiner consequently
the problems of the community and the
home are in common, and the community
needs the womans vote for the house
keeping end of the community
Not only is your home in Gardiner, but
In Maine, the State that has paved the
way and led in many reforms and the
speaker cited many cases Of this. Then
she told of California, state where wo-
man has the ballot, and to how far in
advance Of Maine in the matter Of re-
forms that State is. Maine Is one Of the
first to hold elections and II would be
proper that she should lead New Eng
land in the question to be voted upon
next September.
Miss Coughlin said that democracy was
a lNlng principe lIldI was " SAcf'' i Ia ~
the property qualification for the ball
lot was removed then the color line and
woman suffrage will be the final step TO
give us a pure democracy. The assumed
incapa city of woman in public affairs
has been torn to shreds and woman is the
one human being who is governed with
the consent of the governed. The govern
eminent "of the people. for the people"
applies to her. but by the people does
not at present
The speaker closed with the words; "1n
spite of our assumed ncapacity in spite
of the doubt as to whether We are 'peo-
pie or not. the government is asking Of u.
service as doctors. nurses, ambulance
drivers. yeomen. bell boys. messengers.
farmers and in all trade. and Is getting Il
we are asking the government for the
ballot and it is up 10 you men Of Maine,
whether we get It or not
Unclaimed Mail Matter
Ladies-Miss Ethel Gould, Miss L. Free