Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-09-06
Ballots for Both
in the
Pine Tree State
Aunt Huldah Of Head Tide Speaks

Aunt Huldah Of Head Tide Speaks
The other day just as 1 had finished
doing up so many beans against the
| winters famine that was most done
| UP myself, who should slide in from
the store but Silas Winterblossom. If
were not a good Baptist I should
hate Silas, he is such a sly, slippery,
Slinky, slackery sort of man, who
sinks every duty he can. When he
talks he rolls up his eyes piously and
voices his opinion with an oily twang
| that makes you want to hit him before
he says much of anything.
"Ah. hard at work, Huldah." said
he. I'm glad to see We haint con-
sarning yourself with what amt no
woman's business"
What's up, now. Silas?" said I.
"Woman's Suffrage" says he. ut
hain't right. Women are queens" Up
went his eyes. "If you give them the
ballot, you will dethrone them
WHO says they are queens, Si?"
Why every man who has a home
and wife like you" smirked Silas.
NONSENSE" snapped I. NO man
would a queen do when it came to
keeping Suse's nose clean, and MAX
ing over trousers for Tommy and see
ing that Mamie did her practicing. and
helping Jimmie about his vergil and
washing and ironing and scruhbing
and cooking and-putting UP beans?
Believe me. Silas, the Lord knew what
He was doing when He made a help
mate Man has no use for queen"
IF women was allowed to vote"
continued Silas. sit would divert her
from her natural duties"
(Which areo" says l.
"Oh, care Of home and children"
said he
Perhaps il is the care of her chill
dren that drives her to wanting to
vote. The money that ought to be
spent on our schools is so wasted.
Our children enter life's race handi-
capped. Do the men ever choose a
man on the school committee because
| he knows his business"
Wall. no." answered Silas, "they
| most generally has a darter they
wants a school for-and some wood to
sell the deestrict. Men don't want to
| bother bout such things as schools
| most generally" says he.
Exactly" says l.
But the polls amt no fit place for
women says he "She would have
to mix with the men"
More than when she goes to church
! or when she takes the cream to the
station?" asked I.
Silas squirmed. TT would increase
the divorce evil" gushed he.
ooh nonsense" said I. Teach our
young people that married life is not
a dream of happiness, but n real
struggle by two people who mutually
| give and give up for the good of the
home and the community. Seltishness
and extravaganza, the real causes Of
divorce, would disappear and carry all
ideas of divorce with them. Suffrage
has nothing to do with it."
But woman's place is in the home"
said Silas.
Course but it wouldn't take so
! long to run down to the Town Hall
and drop in a ballot, as it does to
| drive a horse rake in the fields. and 1t
| would not be half so hard"
THE average woman does not want
/ the ballot. and would not know enough
| "Maine's women average up as in
telligent as the negro who has voting
powers, don't they?" says I. And
she can learn"
They say women with property
| ought to vote. Whenever had prop
crty the right of representation?
| Were slaves property" asked I.
/ Eyes but what's that to do with
I .lo+ AL
| Read Your Constitution of the L. S.
and see, said 7, cor do you remem
ber?''
Il don't list remember now says
Sias But women would have to go
tc war if they voted
( "'They could if they had to-
ooh no, Huldah They'd run as
soon as they heard the first gun.
Women hain't got no courage"
| mo coura ge!" said I. rled at last.
IF man risked his life five minutes
to rescue wounded comrade. YOU
would call him brave. I suppose?
"Oh, course" drawled Silas.
! We'll, every single soldier who is in
| the war owes his life to some woman
who for nearly a wear faced possible
| death, who az last went alone down
corridor Of scorching agony-Wno
| opened door behind which might be
lurking Death for her-and brought to
the world A man child. Call women
| towards. if YOU dare"
| Uncle Silas rose. II forgot the SAL
eratus, Liz sent for. I must go now.
I'll come in aga.- to try to show you
the truth
| And was left to the soothing
bubble of my boiling beans.
Aunt Huldah.