Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-02-22
The Nexs Step for Suffrage.

We need not consider our disap-
pointment in those who are listed as
voting against submission of the eoual
suffrage amendment to the voters: it is
sufhclent FOR the present that more
IMAM three to one were ready to carry
out their party pledges and submit
their personal convictions to the YER
dict of a higher court
Ihe suffrage question will go to the
people, and from this hour a new cam
paign is on Both sides will appeal to
the voters. one from the standpoint of
justice, the other from traditions of
the dark ages and the unsupported
claim that women don't want to vote ;"
IL Is true that some women do NOT
care to go to the polls; and it is inst
as true that some men "do not want to
vote But the most intelligent and
progressive element of feminine citi-
Henship desires voice in affairs
that are as vital to them as to their
fathers. husbands and sons. They
are today in large majority in any good
work. any uplifting service, any
movement or sacrifice for the benefit of
coming generations Their numbers
are Overwhelming in the churches and
beautifully small in the penal institu-
lions.
Between Wednesdays vote and Son
TEMPER the people of Maine should be
thoroughly aroused to the importance
OF this amendment. Men and women
or cities and country should give care
iuI thought to the suffrage question
and through discussions and considera-
non OF facts for and against. reach
decision that will express the desire of
the 'Dirigo" State.
we sincerely hope the present yot
ers of Maine will call their wives sic
tiers and daughters to assume their
snare of political responsibility. Wo.
man owes that duty to her children and
the children of all generations to come
u exercise her inherent discernment
between right and wrong in public af-
fairs She exercises it in the churcb
in the grange and in every other ave-
nue. of social progress In our own
state. were 1t not for the tireIess eff
forts. genius and patience of the vo-
men the churches and granee hollis
would decay, and charity become a for
gotten virtue.
Political problems are funda
ly simple: it's the sophistrv Of N.
trickster and the politician that makes
them complex. The first choice in
political affairs is between right and
wrong The great majority of women
leans as naturally toward moral right
as water runs down hill; instinctfvelv
first and analytically next, she selects
the way that leads to ultimate good.
Some women do not want the trouble
of political duty and hence they are
opposed to other women having the on
portunity to do things which they are
too incident to undertake. But pro-
gressive womanhood is coming into her
field and her rights with the same
speed and energy with which evil BUSH
nesses are being blotted out from hu-
man affairs.
Sooner or later Maine must Justify
her claims as a leader in civilizing and
Outstanding influences by joining
her sister states in comforting on wo-
men suffrage rights equal to those en-
joyed by male citizens. She should be
ashamed to be last In the procession,
but unless she makes haste she is
bound to be.
We not only hope but we have rea-
sons for our hope, that Maine will this