Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-06-29

MRS. DAWN B. JEFFREY
Mrs. Dawn 3. Jeffrey President of
Lewistin.Auburn Equal Suffrage
League.
Lewiston, Me-, June 2S.-(SpeciaD -
In common with the history of most
other local suffrage organizations in
Maine, Lewiston and Auburn have
comparatively little of a story to tell
prior to 1867. Here, as elsewhere,
pioneers among the women, keen to the
situation in which women are placed
in the modern world of industry, stood
forth from the ranks of the club-women
to place themselves on record as advo-
Gates Of equal citizenship.
Probably the visit of Mrs. Carrie
Chapman Gait in 1903 was the most
important single event in the early
history of the campaign in these cities
Mrs. Gait had been only three years
at the head of the national movement
when she came to Maine to attend the
state convention. Leaders in those
days were Mrs. Abbie A. Peaslee and
the late Mrs. Helen S. Atwood Of Au
burn and the former is still one of
the most active and faithful of the
members of the present league. To
Mrs. Peaslee, also, belongs the credit
OF presenting the suffrage subject at
legislative hearings at Augusta, along
with other Maine leaders for this
cause, at numerous sessions. No other
one woman now living has done quite
as much perhaps as she. toward pro-
noting interest in this matter here in
the Twin Cities.
OF the old association Mrs. Atwood
was president and Mrs. Lila S. Well
man was secretary, for a number of
years; and Mrs. Wellman also is still
active in the work.
1t was in the spring Of 1916, when
Mrs. Robert Whitehouse, of Portland
came up to give a talk on suffrage
that the present organization was
started. She addressed a large audi
ence at the Womens Christian Associa-
ton Building, Lewiston. Some score Of
women signed cards, showing their in
terest in the movement
Out of that days work has grown the
present Lewiston and Auburn Equal
Suffrage League which today has a
membership Of close to 200 women and
men, who are Carrying on a very active
campaign this season.
In the newly formed League Mrs
Ella F. Neal. another of the earlier
workers, became president; Mrs Frank
D. Tubbs, vice. president; Mrs Charles
F., Goss, secretary; and Mrs. Elsie
Brewster, treasurer. On two different
occasions Mrs. Augusta Hughston gave
addresses on equal suffrage and re-
ceived close attention from large au'
diences.
1t was directly after the state con-
vention at Portland in the fall that the
Lewiston and Auburn League, in COM
mon with others throughout Maine.
woke up to the necessity of immediate
energetic work inasmuch as everything
pointed toward the submission of the
Suffrage question to the voters by the
1867 session Of the legislature. This
expectation was fulfilled; and the
local League has been doubling and
rebuilding its efforts ever since. to helm
arouse the women to the issue at stake
and to turn the votes Of the men into
the Yes" column for the coming ref
erendum September 10th.
Early in the spring a suffrage schoo,
admirably conducted by Mrs. II. w
Cobb OF Augusta and Mrs. Edward
Antholne Of Portland, helped to inform
the public on matters of vital interest
IN THIS work and also to bring in new
members to the League. In other WAYS
a membership contest was carried on
successfully.
Then came the annual meeting of> tho
League, when Mrs. Dawn B. Jeffrov
OF Lewiston took the presidency. with
Mrs. Frank D. Tubbs, vice president.
Mrs. Ezra H. White, secretary: and
MISS Cora Howard Smith, treasurer,
Mrs. Jeffrey. though new to the
work, has thrown herself into the cam
paign heart and soul. She is giving
generously Of her time and is proving
an excellent speaker for the cause. She
has good voice, is a logical thinker
is well-informed and at ease before
the public
Entertainments and sales have been
held to raise money: headouarters
have been opened in Auburn and Lew.
lston; evening sessions every month
have been introduced to supplemen+
the usual monthly afternoon meetings.
social teas have been given in private
homes, where able speakers. local and
from away, have interested new cir
cles OF women and men in the SUFFRAGE
cause; street meetings have been start
ed which have been signally successful
the last two having been conducted nv
Miss Lola Walker Of Pittsburg. Pa
national campaign organizer WORKING
III this county; and good audiences
nave been called out to hear Mrs. Deb
orah Knox Livingston, state campajrn-
manager who has spoken publicly here
thrlce IN this seasons campaign. thus
far.
IahS LOT the summer include much
active work at headquarters. nnmsrous
mass meetings with out-of-state ora
tors. continued street meetings and Tho
completion Of the petition work which
is now In the hands Of q competent
committee.