Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-02-22

Many members have said, Il am go
ing to vote for the resolve now, but
next September l shall vote against 1t.
That is a personal feeling. | 90 not I'M
derstand it, | cannot reconcile myself
to doing that.
| want to call your attention to the
national phase of this matter at this
time. You all know that any day we
may be plunged into war. Is it a prop
er time to make this radical change?
1 know that other speakers will fol-
low me and l do not want to take any
more of your time, so 1 am simply go
ing to ask you TO use your best judg-
ment as to whether you are justly vot-
ing for this resolve. 1 sincerely hope
the resolve will not pass.
Mr.. DEARTH of Dexter: Mr. Speak
er and gentlemen of the House: 1 beg
your indulgence for few minutes only.
This question of woman suffrage and
it's merits and dement's have been dis
cussed so long and so fully. 50 ably
and so completely, that it must be that
every member of this House at this time
must have his mind made up as to
whether he is for or against the ques-
ton of woman suffrage. and for that
reason l do not care at this time to
discuss that feature lin the least be-
cause l believe that the only issue in
volved III this resolve is the issue as
to whether this question shall be refer
red to the people or not referred to the
pebble
Now those two issues are entirely
distinct Therefore, let no member of
this House, when he comes to cast a
vote upon this resolve. feel that by
voting in favor of the resolve he will
be placed under any obligation to vote
| for woman suffrage 1t the special cleo
ton which will follow in September. be-
cause he will not. by reason of that act,
be under any obligation to vote for wo-
man suffrage.
Now. should this first issue that I
wish to bring to your minds prevail
this morning, the issue as to whether
this question at this time should be re-
ferred to the people for their determine
tion@ believe il is one of the funda-
mental principles of our government
! that the voice Of the people should be
/ heard On matters 50 important as this
question here. and ] assure the man who
attempts to thwart the voice of the peo-
/ pie by voting to refuse to give them
! the opportunity to express themselves
on a matter of this Importance, whether
| they want the law or mott bespeak
for such a man an early political death.
| | do not see how he can conscientious
ly take such a position.
The gentleman from Waterville (Mr.
/ Berry, says he does not see how man
can vote for this resolve and then at
J a - ,a, al nta
man suffrage All, Such a man does
not realize the distinction between de-
mocracy and autocracy, because the par
allel is perfect.
Now, gentlemen. ! am not going to
7 tax" up Your time; your minds are
made up, but | want to impress upon
YOU that when you come to vote you
( separate this issue entirely from the
issue of woman suffrage. What is your
/ duty at this time on the question. the
! only question. as to whether YOU will
give the people of this great State the
( privilege or opportunity of deciding for
y. Themselves whether they want this law
I or not? 1t is not for US to ALLEVIATE to
/ ourselves the prerogative to decide this
! question, The question is for them to
( decide | submit that we should give
! diem that privilege and that opportun-
ity.
Gentlemen, when YOU vote, vote ac-
cording to your consciences. Do not he
Influenced by prejudice or partisan pol.
tiles. BE faithful to your trust. Re.
! member that there are some Of ne here
who have platform promises to stand
by Remember that 1t is YOUR duty "a
carry out those promises and thus be
faithful to your trust. Gentlemen. he
honest with yourselves and honest with
! tn" people who sent you here. CAD.
plause.)
Mr.. LAEEAEEE Of Bath: Mr.. Speak
er and ielloW-membcrs Of the House
/ ladies and gentlemen: The suffragettes
i love them. but | DO not like their
actions. (Applause) | am opposed to
| TINS resolution, lot only in part. but in
its entirety. | am too democratic, I'M
! der our form of Republican govern
ment. to let n handful Of wealthy wo-
men that YOU can count on YOUR fin
| ger tips. traVe,inG up and down our
State CT Maine in their wild frenzy
tasten legislation upon our statute
books that represents but Is per cent
of the women voters of our State.
/ believe that men and women were
| created hy an infinite power, an inf.
! mite creator, ana that men should pro.
! vide and he tho bread winners and gar.
ment SctterS of their wives and fam.
lilies. | believe that the woman, in he,
! sphere DuTo. plain and powerful. vet
IN her definite simplicity and gentle.
ness. in her intuitive PERCEPTION anc
her heavenly care Of children, should
aspire to that higher. better and mob.
! Ter life rs queen of the household, and
she. in her love and wisdom, should
| meet her honest husband on the thresh.
mold of that earthly paradise, the home
when he comes from his daily toll
| l believe that it is woman's place tc
educate her children. ! believe that il
! is WomanS place in the home. Are vol
aware that according to our last feder-
| al consuS there are now $4,000 young
men and women born and bred in on,
Stato of Maine and now living in Mas
s9chusetts? For what reason? 1t is or
account OF tho LONE training that they
| have had. ANY man who has beer
q broad in the several states of our ma.
| tiCn knows we'll that any young mar
or any NOunC woman that was borr
2nd bred in our State can always gel
employment in preference to the mem.
bsrs of any state in our Union