Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-11-04
States Which Have Ratified
States About to Call Special Sessions

States About to Call Special Sessions
In the following states special ses-
sions ere to he called in the very
near future to vote upon ratification:
Arizona Colorado, Indiana. North
Dakota, South Dakota, Washington,
Wyoming.
The ratification Of but IS states IS
required ard half that number have
already swung into line. No intelli-
gent person seriously contends that
it is possible to defeat ratification,
and many Of is opponents realize the
futility of dllatory tactics designed TO
del:.y the verdict SO clearly foreshad-
owed in the attitude Of all the great
agencies rejecting public sentiment.
Attitude Of the Political Parties
Both the Republican and Democrat
ic parties endorsed equal suffrage in
their platforms of 1916. The respon-
sihinty FOR its legislative approval or
defeat. however naturally rests
with the dominant party.
Recognizing this, the National Re-
publican committee, on the 10th of
January last, issued the following
statement:
The National Republican commit
tee. at a meeting assembled in Chi
3 cago Jan. 10, 1919. reiterates it's be-
/ lief in the necessity for the enfran-
chisement of the women Of America.
and Therefore calls upon the United
States Senate for the immediate pas
sage of the Federal suffrage amend
mcnt, and further calls upon all Re-
publican Legislatures to stand ready
to ratify the amendment when pre-
sented."
The Republican Congress has kept
faith. The Republican Legislature of
Maine now faces a similar respon-
sibility.
Attitude Of Maine Federation Of
Labor
The Maine Federation Of Labor
stands just as squarely pledged to
equal suffrage for women as does
tho Maine State Grange At its an
nual convention in June, 1918. it
adopted the following resolution:
, "WHEREAS-Th American Fedora.
ton OF Labor and the Maine State
equal suffrage for women in the past
and
WHEREASEThe women OF our coun.
try have periodically taken the posi-.
and industrial fields and factories, thai
their husbands and brothers might fgh,
for the freedom of the world and the
principle Of self-govemment-democra.
WHEREAs-It is more apparent thar
ever. in view of the fact that the wo'
men Of our state and nation being thu.
employed. should be given the priv.
order that they may better Iegislatl
for their own social and economic vel.
fare: therefore, be it
RESoLvED-That this. the 18th an.
Federation Of Labor. concur With thu
previous convention by declaring in ia.
vor Of woman suffrage: and be 1t fur.
Their
RESoLvED-That the Maine State
Federation Of Labor use all its in.
huence in obtaining the ballot for wo.
men In State and nation
Resolutions equally unequivocal
were adopted at the conventions OF
, 1906, 1909 and 1917.
At its convention in Atlantic City
in June. 1919. the American Fedora.
ton of Labor adopted . resolution
favoring ratification. On Thursday
last its secretary requested the Maine
branch to give all possible assist
ance in having members Of the Maine
LEGISLATURE vote for ratification Of the
measure when it is brought up"
BY what authority then. do the
President and Secretary of the Maine
.t;oo ~ Jahor use the name of