Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-09-05
Wednesday September 5, 1917.
silly Falsenoods by Ants.

OF fact nov being sent out from Anti
sLnrage headquarters az Portland
must arouse indignation as well as an
appreciation Of its humorous side
the anti-suffrage cause TO make the
silly claim that suffra gists are enroll
ling infants feeble minded. and even
men. or their petitions 10 voters, is
more than we can understand.
Those lists Of petitioners are to be
posted In public places, sent through
the mails to voters and published in
the newspapers. When a voter sees
the names II the female members Of
his family he will know whether or
not they are from the cradle roll. He
will also know the women Of his
neighbour household, and if they have
attempted TO put something over" he
will have opportunity for revenge at
the polls
We believe that exceeding care has
been observed in obtaining signatures
TO these petitions, for that reason If
for no other. Undoubtedly, in the work
Of copying these lists from the papers
OF various canvassers, duplicates may
have been made but, on the other hand,
II is equally safe TO assume that some
names have been omitted In the cler-
ical work
Studying the lists from Kennebec
county, we are persuaded that fully 80
per cent. Of the signatures bear the
prefix Mrs" and that most Of the
names are so we'll known in their COM
muni,ies as instantly to brand as pre-
rediated and wtlful falsehood such
statements as the following sent out
from Portland;
BY this time. It is a well-known fact
that the suffra gists have gone the length
and breadth of the State Of Maine acquir-
ing signatures, or rather names, as they
have added many who cannot write their
signatures, of men. women and children,
presumably TO be presented to the voters
in the form of petition urging them to
vote Yes"
and vote for equal suffrage is a fair and
legitimate proceeding but TO gather
long list OF names OF women, children and
foreigners who neither speak nor under
stand English and who are confronted.
unavares, at their work and talked into
allowing their names to be used. without
giving the subject a serious thought, and
knowing very little about the matter any
way does not seem to be A square deal
when that list is presented TO the voters
az petition.
OF course the men of Maine will be
much Impressed by that long list of
names, possibly mounting up into the
thousands--no doubt some 100000 or more
although there are only go noo women OF
voting age In the State. Infants are not
excluded
= "Many minors have been urged
20 sign before they have had time to CON
slider or 20 consult wiser counselors than
those who are sent out on this errand
Maine IS not the only state where 'hi:,
wholesale accumulation Of names Of MI
rors has occurred-it is done throughout
the country, regardless Of the integrity
involved cradle roll has been suggest
e4 In order 20 make II clear concerning
who wants The o,e and who has right
70 say go"
Kindly scan the hist from your town.
Mr. Voter ard. II the petitioner from
your family is an infant or feeble
minded, then you have good reason
for voting with the ants II. however.
you are convinced that these petitions
are signed by the brightest, cleanest-
minded, and most intelligent women Of
your community and others. and IL
you remember that these best women
you know are asking for a square deal
lr public as we'll as in private affairs.
then we believe you will vote Yes" on
Monday next.
And. again. II you are convinced that
he above quoted silly Susan prattle is
series Of downright and purposeful
les, prompted by jealousy and the de-
termination OF a few "clinging vine"
women 10 have their own way, then
perhaps you will say something to in
suence other men 70 vote Yes"
Was the suffrage petition signed by
YOUR infant? Then II maybe that
emebody has He'd
Was the suffrage petition signed by
feeble minded person at YOUR
louse' Then perhaps somebody has
led.
II they stoop to misstatement Of
:hese home facts. then they betray the
Effects OF affiliation with interests that
are notoriously evil and that ALWAYS