Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-04-09
Friday, April 8, 1870.
Enter the Hero, at the cfimaetic
Momanf!

tie game of winning the women vot-
ers are being made by the Democratic
states Of Louisiana and North Caro-
lima. Since the occurrence Of dubious
developments in Delaware, which
threaten to prolong the delay be-
yond the primary elections in some
of the states, sudden CLEAN of hope
has dawned for the Democrats,
namely, that they may win the ever
lasting gratitude and some Of the
support of the women if a pemocra-
tic state shall be the thirty-sixth to
ratify, and crown the work with its
= own peculiar halo.
To this end Louisiana has called
special session of the legislature to
meet May 10 to act on the Anthony
amendment. and the indications are
said to be favorable to its ratifica-
ton, even in this ancient stronghold
of Democracy.
To this end Senator Simmons of
North Carolina, Democratic leader in
his state and vigorous opponent Of
equal suffrage. has issued an appeal
10 his constituency urging ratifica-
ton by the State Legislature. He in
slsts that he has not changed his
mind with regard to the question of
suffrage itself, but makes it plain
that the progress already made in
Nicates that nothing can stop it. and
that as a matter of political expedi-
ency it is highly desirable that North
Carolina be the state whose action
will finish the job.
Discussing the political aspects Of
the matter. Senator Simmons claims
to know that there is a persistent
belief that Republican leaders fear
the effect of the women's participa-
ton in this years elections, while
the Democratic leaders believe their
participation will be to the advan-
tage of the Democratic party"
1T is certain" he says, that two
great questions, each Of vital, nation
wide import, both of which in their
higher aspects concern women more
deeply than men, will be involved in
this years elections, and upon these
questions it is believed women would
naturally sympathize with the Dem
ocratic party"
If the Republicans are SO fearful Of
the disastrous influence of women in
ELECTIONS, why have all but three
Gn the Republican states ratified the
amendment? Why have Republicans
been so ready to open their enroll
ment lists to the new voters? Why
have they taken pains to organize
and help the women organize auxil-
iaries to the party committees? Why
have they invited and urged women
to attend the conventions and given
them all sorts Of assistance in learn
ing how to exercise the vote when
they get it?
No doubt the women will help the
Democratic party, provided they vote
Cse Democratic ticket. A vote is
NMe. But there are no indications
Wat women are swarming to the
&smocratic standard or that they
Fave any intention Of so doing. Our
own Democratic high priest and
saint Mr.. Pattangall, in introducing
Mrs. Funk recently to an Augusta
audience, said he was especially glad
TO bring her to Maine in order to
prove that there are some Demo-
cratic women, which, it seemed to
us, was somewhat in the nature of a
slip and contrary to the usual fin
esse displayed by the able shepherd
of Maine Democrats.
Senator Simmons leaves to the
lihoSiAdtiOh VI Ills ucdIcIS WudL IA6
two great questions are, both Of
which in their higher aspects con-
Germ women more deeply than men"
Our guess is prohibition for one and
the league Of nations for the other
Inasmuch as there are at least two
Democratic candidates for President
who are running upon "wet" plat
forms and inasmuch as prohibition is
sure to be an issue at the San Fran
cisco convention, it is difficult to see
how the Democrats expect much
sympathy from the women on this
count.
On the league of nations such
Democrats as do their own thinking
Hre not far from tho position taken
BY the Republicans, namely, to ac-
sept the league with proper safe
guards Of American integrity; there
lore this issue hardly seems to be
Sufficient cause for arousing woman
~ sympathy for the Democratic
party.
We give it UP.
tat