Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-02-02

per cent Of those who did 70 were
taken there in conveyances furnished
by ambitious aspirants for once and
also were paid for their time while
away from their work.
I have no hesitancy In saying that
when the women in Maine are given
the ballot they viii never stuitify
themselves or allow their decisions IN
choosing officials 70 be Influenced IN
this manner. The claim In made that
the average polling place Is not a AZ
or proper place for women 20 30.
Granted and this Ia one Of the reforms
that women are 20 bring about. When
allowed TO 60 there on IN equal foot
ing with men. they will make Of them
places where any self respecting man
or women will willingly 20. I believe
that this Legislature is going 20 i'm
pose upon the voters in Maine the re-
sponAbility Of deciding THE question
ana ] ask each member Of this assemb-
~ In arriving at your decision 70 re-
member that some woman went down
into the valley OF the shadow OF death
that you might live. That woman
watched over you and guided your
Footsteps from infancy 20 manhood,
that she had more to do with forming
your character and preparing you 10
successfully meet the responsibilities
OF life than did any other person. Ask
yourself this question. Are not these
people citizens Of our state and are
they not entitled 20 all the rights and
privileges OF citizenship"
Judge Edward c. Reynoid,
Judge Edward c. Reynolds OF South
Portland was the next speaker There
was but 15 minutes left for the pro-
ponents, according 10 Chairman Davies
and Judge Reynolds said because ~
the short space he would not present
an argument. He said he believed ia
suffrage and for two reasons. lie said
he never expected the millenneum. n
women got the ballot but that TO give
them the right 10 exercise their priv
ilege of equality. IL was simply fair.
He said from time immemorial women
had had to get out and make "a living
and that if they were allowed the right
to vote 1t would help out their indus
trial condition. He said both OF the
national platforms had planks in them
endorsing women suffrage but each
political party had presented the mat
ter from different viewpoint. He said
Charles Evans Hughes stumped the
country in favor of II and then presi-
dent Wilson did the same during the
last campaign.
We're not partisan today. thank God!"
be said. I'm this State the governor We
elected stood for suffrage and he stands
for It today" he continued.
He said It was in 1896 when two states
began to vote in favor OF woman suf-
frage and that at that time canvass
had been made by some members OF Con-
gress to find out how Congress felt upon
this subject. He then read the replies
of four congressman given at that time.
The reply Of Joseph q. Cannon was that
If women got the vote she would do no
more nor less than her brother who al
ready had 1t. Among the great states
men who stood in favor OF this measure
were Thomas B. Reed. late Speaker OF
the House of Representatives at wash
ington: Hon. John D. Long. that peer OF
statesmen; John Greenleaf Whittier and
Hundreds Of great men whom he could
name II he had the time. All OF them
stood for the principle. the right 10 put
woman on the same par as we are our
selves.
He said a Georgia senator had said
during a canvass OF Congress 20 find out
the minds of the representatives OF the
people on this subject that women do
not need to go 20 Congress because shs
would have to descend from her exalted
position to politics.
Turning TO the committee. Judge Rey-
nolds said: you see, sgentlemen. you
have descended from an exalted position
because you are in politics" and quick as
a fash Chairman Davies said You
have been a candidate for ONCE haven't
your" The Judge smiiingly replied ne had
run for ONCE.
Henry M. Donneliy
The last speaker was Henry NJ Don
nelly, deputy State labor commissioner.
He said the American Federation OF La
Dor were strongly in favor Of woman suf-
frage. that millions OF women were work
ing today in the industries and II they
had the right OF franchise Il would help
better their conditions.
He said the question had been one OF
lifelong contention in this country
among the women and II comes home TO
the working people with unusual force.
He said the question now was whether
the measure should be submitted 20 the
voters of Maine. He saw no reason why
it should not be and predicted victory
for It and that the labor people in the
State stood behind the movement.
This closed the arguments for the pro-
ponents and a recess was taken for Eve
minutes.