Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-03-19

First, Is there the Impeding neeo. II
so, what is it? Not inherent personal
right, not inalienable political right
but simple, practical expediency Is the
test.
The burden Of proof in this grave
matter rests upon the proponents. and
that burden calls for definite, determi-
native and controlling proof. We are
not debating society for academic
discussion. nor an incubating device
for begettinE experimental legislation.
To pass intelligently upon this mo-
mentous mater requires at least cas-
ual examination Of the subject matter.
To do less than this il to prove rec
reant to our plain duty. to refuse to do
20 is to afford strong evidence of our
own willingness to personally contrib
ute to the disrepute of representative
government
What are the reasons for this drastic
change? What is the real argument for
equal suffrage?
The arguments are twofold-
First-Idealistic or theoretical.
Second-Practical.
OF the former we hear much Of JUS
tice, equality. right-but this gener-
atty Is a two-edged sword and until
woman with substantial majority
shall show the will of her own sex, no
group has any monopoly on justice
and right as against the woman who
denies the right and equity of an
other group to impose the artificial
burdens of ballot to her natural bur-
dens.of-life.
The practical arguments advanced
In support of this great change are
that it will benefit the State by an
improvement of politics and give US
better measures and better men.
think l state the matter fairly.
accurately, honestly. Now will it
give US better measures? Pray what
is there concrete in the matter of
legislation or constructive policy in
the State of Maine that supporters
of woman's suffrage can put their
finger on and say This measure is
desired-that policy is desirable and
the votes of women are essential to
the successful solution thereof"
Has Maine been laggard in the
matter of progressive legislation?
Was Maine quiescent when the pro-
gressive sentiment of this country
demanded a primary law? We were
one of the first States of the East
to embark on this method of choice
of candidates upon the assumption
that bosses and cliques and lotteries
would bow before the plain mandate
of the voter.
Were we laggard in Maine when
there was submitted and overwhelm-
ingly adopted the basic change in our
constitution by way of initiative and
referendum amendment. allowing the
initiation Of legislation upon petition
by the people and compelling the ref
erence to the people of any legisla-
tive acts when a sufficient number
indicated by petition their desire
therefor?
Have we been laggard with refer
ence to the creation of wise and pro-
gressive educational reforms. health
laws and statutes numerous and
drastic for moral uplift?
Was Maine a laggard in law whe.,
STe SET lNS pave Aieh' JNs'> wi
minated in nation wide adoption as
to the prohibition of traffic in intox-
icating liquor?
Has Maine been recreant to the in
terests Of women in the matter of law
with reference to her property rights.
her freedom to sue and be sued; to
deal with her propert.' acquired by
inheritance or earning free from re-
straint equal with men?
Has Maine ever been charged by
any man or woman with undue Sc
verify to women in the matter of
marital rights or the divorce law in
the severance thereof?
Man is compelled by just and hui
name statutes in his property and
now in his person to full and fair
support Of his wife and offspring.
Woman has that full and absolute
legal status with man plus very SUI
perior advantages.
Has Maine been in any va! sloth-
full in the matter of labor laws? The
limiting Of hours of employment; in
the prohibiting of child labor: the
providing Of comfort and convenience
es of women employees of factories?
BY the repeal of the harsh features
of the Trustee Law; by the limiting
children and by the far-reaching arm
of the law and the equity as TO nom
support and judicial separation. and
Maine is one of the first states in
the Union that has authorized woman
by statute to bring action against an
other woman who invades the sanct-
ity of her home.
Venturesome and imaginative in
deed is that man or woman who says
that wise and progressive legislation
attends or depends on the ballot for
woman.
Will we get better men in office?
Pray when and where do we draw
the line?
Will we get better Governors than
Chamberlain. Selden Conner. William
T. Cobb. and Carl L. Milliken?
Does democracy suggest that the
people of Maine erred in the selection
Of Harris NJ. Piaisted as Governor. or
in this later day the selection of his
distinguished son, Frederick w.
Plaisted?
Does the Warwick of the Democat-
ic Party who now champions suffrage
find fault with the people of Maine
for their SELECTION Of Oakley c. Curtis
as Chief Executive Of this State?
Does the distinguished editor of
the Kennebec Journal think that the
people Of the State of Maine could
have made wiser choice for Gov
ernor and CONGRESSMAN of the Third