Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-09-06

ment 1t therefore makes it the duty
of all people, women as well as men,
to accept the ballot whether they desire
il or not as a responsibility and a
duty which is incumbent upon them to
perform as their contribution to the
development Of society and the great
est good of the greatest number. If we
waited for majority vote upon all
institutional amendments, few, II any,
would ever come to pass in this or any
ether state since the average vote
received by the successful amendment
is about 259c of the qualified voters of
all such states, leaving a majority Of
750o who are apparently indifferent or
opposed to the amendment in question.
SIXTH. We believe equal suffrage
il coming and will be universal in this
country within a few years. Eighty
years ago there was not a state in the
/ Union that granted any form of polit-
it al representation to women. Fifty
years ago there was no state where full
equal suffrage prevailed. Today there
are eleven states having full equal suf-
frage besides Alaska, and eight which
have granted presidential suffrage. Out
VI IKE 10 states tOudy SldtSS grant
woman some form of political repre-.
sentaton, the only exceptions being
Maine. Pennsylvania and II Southern
States. Today there are 10 states in
the Union having presidential suffrage.
controlling 172 members Of the electoral
college, one third of the Senate and
one fourth Of the House. and $500 900
women will vote at the next presiden-
tial election. All Of these states but
ore are Western States and if we Of
the East want to preserve our voice
and balance of power in the councils
Ct the nation 1t is necessary for us to
enfranchise our women at once.
SEVENTH. We believe that the les
sons of the war have furnished the final
argument Tor full enfranchisement of
women. While we are pouring out our
life blood and treasure for the extern
sion of Democracy in Europe, why
should We not accept the definition of
Democracy now adopted by England.
Canada and Russia by granting the
privileges of the franchise to our wo-
men at home. Why not do this as they
Eave done in the midst of war and be-
cause of war as a recognition Of the
nations need Of woman and as a re-
ward for her invaluable work in war,
whether in conservation in the home.
in lahorious production in the field and
f. Glory of the munitions of war or in
works of mercy on the field of battle
AS Herbert c. Hoover, the food com
missioner OF the country, has said. 1.-THE
work of the women may we'll prove to
be the deciding factor in this most
awful of conflicts"
EIGHTH. We believe that the only
question, therefore. is whether Maine
ii going to be leader, justifying its
motto. ''Dirigo." in this great progress
sive movement constituting the last
logical and inevitable step in the evo-
luton of democracy, or whether II is
to be a laggard, waiting for this reform
tC circle the globe and reach the east
only by way of the west. being classed
meanwhile with such backward and I'M
civilized sovereignties as Spain. Por-
tugal, Bulgaria and Turkey in the po-
litical recognition Of women.
NINTH Finally. we cannot sympa-
thize with those who, conceding that
this privilege of the franchise must
sometime be accorded, prefer to yield
1t grudgingly and only when the de-
nand no longer can be denied. We do
not believe in making what might be
the occasion of gratitude the cause OF
resentment nor in substracting from
the usefulness of the gift by postpon-
ing its enjoyment. The sooner victory
is gained in the struggle for the right
OF women to vote. the sooner will be