The Washington herald., 1917-10-21
State Is Conservative.

SOns- Although Adlne doOpl6O pro-
hibition more than half a century
ago, it has not a great many pro-
gressiye measures TO its credit and
has not taken up with any of the
so-called radical legislation of the
present day. There will be found in
al parts of the State large remnants
Of the old idea that man is naturally
superior to woman; that it is his
province to manage all public affairs;
that the woman's place is in the
home, and that her status was es-
tablished when Adam and Eve NOV
ed out OF the Garden Of Eden.
Not in any State has there ever
been stronger support than was given
by many OF the newspape pers but
there was not the necessary co-or-
dinated press work from the central
headquarters. Never in any other
campaign was there such continuous
and bitter opposition as was made
by the Bangor Commercial. possibly
the most influential paper in the
State. II made a daily attack using
information furnished by the oppon-
ents without regard to facts and re-
fusing TO publish any communication
from the sudragists. II would not
print the letter sent by President
Wilson, even as an advertisement
The millionaire owner is a pronounc-
ed antiprohibitionist but be was so
determined 70 defeat woman suffrage
that he neglected to oppose the
amendment to strengthen the prohi-
bition law.
Vigorous Campaign.
The antisuffragists carried on the
strongest campaign they ever had
made, spending a large amount OF
money and bringing in men and
women organizers and speakers from
other States, including Iowa and
Colorado. Everywhere they declared
that there was "a close afiliation be-
tween Socialists, the l. w. W. and
the Suffrage Association and many
OF the people believed them, The
numerous French Canadian Catholics
apparently voted against the amend
ment.
Unquestionably the "pickets" had
a most unfaV orable influence and all
the efforts of the officers and MEM
bers of both the national and State
associations were unable to convince
the people that thev represented an
infinitesimal fraction of the suffrag-
lists of the country and that the
''picketing'' had been officially con-
demned and repudiated in every pos
sible manner. The attitude Of the
voters was aptly expressed by one
old farmer, who was quoted in the
newspapers as saying that Mrs. Gait
and the other leaders could call OF
the ''pickets" IL they really wanted
to and to use his exact language:
IF the Mother Gait cannot a man
age her unruly kittens, I'm dunn
med IL / want her to manage me"
Therefore, he and his kind voted
against giving the suffrage TO the
women of his own State, although
not one of them in any way connect
ed with the ''picketing."
Defeat of Amendment.
All of these reasons, pro and con.
merely touch the surface Of the
question. The defeat of the woman
suffrage amendment in Maine was
rooted in politics. Neither party
wanted it to succeed. Governor Mil
Iiken was elected by the reform ele-
ment in the Republican party and
against the wishes of the ma
chimes" which was determined TO
defeat him both for reelection and
7
Senate which is his goal It was
through his influence that the wom-
an suffrage amendment went through
the Republican legislature by un-
animous vote in one House and al
most una nimously in the other. He
sent personal letters to 5000 Repub-
lican voters and loo clergymen urg-
ing them to vote and use their in
nuence for the suffrage amendment
He had also strongly pledged him.
self to enforce the prohibition law
and this secured for him the hostin-
ty of the Democratic party generally
and a large number of his own party.
These were two important reasons
therefore for the defeat Of the wom-
an suffrage amendment and the
machines" OF both parties united
for this purpose.
Just before the election former At
torney General Pattengall, a Demo-
cratic leader, stated in a public ad-
dress favoring woman suffrage that
Maine had a purchssable vote of
from l5,oGO to 5000. which held q
balance of power In all elections. He
challenged a contradiction Of this
statement which was not made. The
very light vote-only Ss.i3-a little
more than one-third of the vote cast
for governor last year, showed the
great indifference on the question.
This was the first opportunity to
test the soldier vote on woman suff-
rage. In every camp there was
majority against 1t with a total of
almost two to one. The oficial count
of the state showed 2o,eoo In favor
and 3S,SSS opposed.
Campaign Begun Late.
A canvass of the women was be-
gun too late to be of much avail.
but nearly 5000 petitioned for the
suffrage. II will be seen that almost
one-half of these women were total
ly unrepresented at the polls. 1t is
shown also that all the women in
the State are kept disfranchised by
q number Of men which Is just about
equal to the number Of women who
actually asked for the suffrage. Mrs.
Deborah Knox Livington, who man
aged the campaign, very able
speaker, organizer and politician IN
the best sense of the word, says:
at is my firm conviction that no
amount of education will ever carry
the New England States for equal
suffrage. 1t is not question OF
merit, 1t is a matter Of political ex-
pediency. The Federal amendment
is the only instrument that will give
equal suffrage to New England"
Mrs. Livingston would reach the
same conclusion II she went through
suffrage campaign in any other