Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-08-16
Ballots for Both
in the
Pine Tree State

Suffrage speakers are no novelty IN
these days of campaigning. They are
heard in the meeting houses and public
halls and the man in the street has ac-
customed himself to listen to them eX-
pounding the doctrine from a decorated
automobile on the corner, but it has been
reserved for the State of Maine to give
the pleasure seekers at circus an OPP
portunity to educate themselves in this
great movement of modern times.
The Sparks Circus was showing in
Maine few weeks ago and one or the
field secretaries Mrs. jeanette Sterling
Greve of Chattanooga. Tenn, sent into
the State by the National American Wo-
man Suffrage Association CHANGED to be
in Machias on circus day From the
bandstand Mrs Greve addressed the
crowds in the streets waiting for the
morning parade, and in the afternoon
she spoke again just inside the grounds
to the people who were assembling for
the performance.
At this the manager. w. B. Sparks,
himself made the suggestion that she
speak inside the tent, allowing her ten
minutes on the platform in the centre.
His invitation was promptly accepted and
for the allotted ten minutes the assem-
bled multitude. about 1000 listened
quietly and attentively to the brief but
vivid presentation of the suffrage argu-
ment.
In speaking of the event later Rev.
Hannah J. Powell. minister of the Uni
versalist church in Machias and chair
man Of the suffrage campaign committee
in that town, said, Mrs. Greve made a
good speech and I have yet to hear tine
first adverse criticism either of the speech
or of her courage in accepting the invi-
ia ton to speak at the circus
The next day the speakers duties took
her to Bangor and there Sparks Circus
was found giving another performance.
Influenced by the success in reaching the
people of Machias the officers of the
Bangor Suffrage League approached Mr..
Sparks and asked if he would extend to
them the same courtesy he had shown In
Machias.
Certainly" he promptly replied, IT
would let Mrs. Greve speak anywhere.
and anyhow, Tennessee can have all it
wants from me. ! spend my winters in
Tennessee, and both my wife and I love
the state and the people" So again the
announcer introduced Mrs. Greve for a
five minute speech this time Mounting
the platform in the centre ring she again
presented the argument for woman suf-
frage in clear voice that was perfectly
heard by all who sat in the reserved
seats facing the speaker. In part Mrs
Greves speech was as follows:
ION Sept 10 l want you men to remem-
Der the women Of Maine and give them
the vote. The women of England, Of
Russia. of France, and of the other coun-
tries at war in Europe have been doing
the work of men. toiling in the munition
plants by day and coming home at night
to take care of their homes and their
babies They have been doing mems
work. and womens work, too, and Eng
land and France and Russia have decided
that the women of those countries, who
are thus helping to keep the State alive
while the men are in the field shedding
their blood for 1t. are equally necessary
to the existence of the State; and so all
these countries have bestowed the fran
chise upon these brave women. The
women Of America, the women Of Maine,
are no less brave and strong and pa
triotic than the women Of Europe. You.
too, may need the women of this coun-
try. Will you not see that they are en-
franchised now before 1t is too late to
take full advantage of the brains and
the wisdom and strength of your
women"