Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-02-22
Saturday, February u. 1919.
Mr.. Potter's Communication

MI Barrett Potter OF Brunswick.
The argument is in the form Of a
question: Do the legislators honest
~ believe that the women in their
home towns whom they know best
and respect most want to vote?
Were it answered, Mr.. Potter would
be likely to get reply that would
rudely jar his conplacent and pre-
conceived notions. It is the same OLD
question that has been answered IN
the 81 states Of this Union which
have granted suffrage in some form
TO their women citizens, and the
same Old question that will soon be
answered by the II remaining states
which have thus far withheld this
measure OF simple justice. The
question is based on the fallacy that
because some respectable women do
no4 wish to vote, they have the moral
right to prevent other women from
voting, and the right to deprive the
State of an fundamentally of good
government.
The grievance seems to be that we
characterized as an 'unguardeo ad-
mission" Mr.. Potters statement that
the vote Of Maine in 1917 On the
question OF equal suffrage was not
binding on her representatives in
1915.
Very well. We amend. It was an
unfortunate tru,h"-unfortunate for
the opponents of equal suffrage who
have been industriously circulating
Mr.. Potter's pamphlet without SEEM
Ing TO realize that it contained this
death blow to their argument Of the
conclusive effect Of the 1917 refer
endun.
AIr. Potter thinks we will be
amazed at his 1eiteration OF the
perfectly sound proposition Of the
non binding character OF that vote
He is paying himself a very poo,
compliment. We have never doubted
either his ability or his honesty, and
should have been frankly amazed
had he done otherwise. The only
thing that "amazes" US is the little
exhibition Of temper into which only
a weak cause could have betrayed q
gentleman of his usual urbanity and
courtesy. He says:
1.-THE valid arguments against the
amendment seemed to me sufilcient
without adding any that l knew to
lie invalid. 1t is because that IS not
your method that you do not UNDER
stand it,
That is innuerdo, not argument
1t is also the first exhibition Of per-
sonal discourtesy to mar a hitherto
clearly conducted discussion.
We think we understand" Mr.
Potter's pamphlet of November g.
1918. but Of that our readers must
be the judges. We quote in full the
writer's answer to Mr.. Potter's con-
tentions. as contained in the recently
distributed "Discussion Of Maine
Senate Bill Nc. 16":
The Barrett Potter Leaf,et-why
the opponents Of equal suffra &c
should circularize the Legislature
wit. Mr.. Potter's leaflet Of Nov. s.
1913. is not quite a2pa- ent.
Mr. Potter was criticizing the vote
Of the Maine delegation in Congress
for the Federal suffrage amendment,
on the ground that each state should
settle the matter for itself. That is
precisely what Maine - doing
{though not irrevocably) under the
pending bill, which in no way in
wolves either the State or Federal
Constitution.
therefore, is no. germane to the
present issue, a word may be said in
passing as to his criticism OF the
vote OF the Maine delegation in Con-
gfess. He says:
Il. They voted against their
State"
Not so, for reasons already stated.
But even ii the 1917 referendum,
vote had been a fair expression OF
Maine sentiment. which it was not
Mr.. Potter answers his own conten-
tion by saying:
II do not claim that the vote OF
Maine in 1917 was binding on her
representatives in 1878. ! confess l
have no patience with the doctrine
Of instruction that would make a
representative rubber stamp. l
free to vote his convictions, but II
they incline him to oppose his state,
his party. and the form Of govern:
aent under which he lives. he should
able to state sound reasons. and his
constituents are entitled to know
what they are"
True. and they do. They have read
Nh. HerseyG speech. which Mr.. Pot
ter comedies to be "a frank and
forceful argument for woman suf-
fraSe."
q. They voted against their
party"
Not 90. The Republican national
platform Of 1916 contained this
plank:
the Republican party. realnrming
:: IT'D faith In government of the peo-
pie. BY the people. for the people, as
4 measure Of Justice to one-han the
adult people Of this country favors
tho extension Of the suffrage to
women. but recognizes the right OF
each state to settle this question for
ITSELF"
While recognising such right on
the part Of tho states. the Republican
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