Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-09-01

ering the payroll Of the Hcuss for TINS
special session
On molten BY Mr. Holiey the rules
were suspended and resolve received
its two several readings and was PASS
TO = committee.
Mr. HINCKLEy Of South Portland:
have IN act winch wish 20 present
under Suspension Of the rules.
Al this point the Senate came in anu
IA joint convention was formed.
IN CONVENTION.
The President Of the Senate In the
chair.)
On motion Of Mr. Thcrnes Of Penoo-
scot il was voted that committee be
appointed to vait upon His Excel
, lency. the GoScrncr. and INFORM him
that the two branches % the Legisla-
ture are aaebisd N oon-earion. ready
10 listen to Any address ae NAV have
70 make tor hezn-
The Chair a.,i.eintea IL sa-1 commit
tee senator -homans Of penohsco1,
Senator Gooxins Of AnarcscoEgin SEN
aror Walker 81 Somerset. Representa-
tive Barnes Of Houitcn. Representa-
tive Small If Brewer. Representative
Hnlley Of North Anso1. Representative
Eaton Of Rumford Representative
Baxter Of Portland Representative
Pike IF Easrpcrt ana Roekland and
Representative oLeary Of Bangor.
| Subsequently Senator rhones Of the
ocmmiftee reported thar the commit
I tee rad performed the duty with winch
II was charged. and that he Governor
would Immediately present himself be-
fore the cenvenrion-
The report was accepted.
I The Governor and suite then entered
the hail Of House Of Representatives.
( President Higgins: Gentlemen IF the
Convention. His ExcelIencv Governor
Miliiken- APPLAUSE
Gentlemen Of the Seventy-ninth
Legislature:
The ratification Of the nineteenth
amendment TO the Constitution CT
Z The United States has conferred upon
the women Of Maine the Ugh, %
vote al al elections, subject only 70
such, PROVISIONS Of the Constitution
ana Statutes Of the State as are noy
repugnAnt to the Constitution Of the
United States.
The women Of Maine without re-
gard 10 their previous views about
suffrage are prepared 10 accep,
caeerfuily and faithfully discharga
the 0ew -a<r,o, g. h,Ii,,es ,k,,~ -,.-z
upon them. And Maine men
vherher they have previously advo-
Gated equal suffrage Or not. desire
that the process 81 placing women
voters On full equality with men be
not only ungrrdEng ana complete
out As prompt as possible.
Maine women do not desire special
j.. privileges. either In the definition Of
their qualifications tcr exercising -he
rgnt OF franchise OF n the machinery
PROVIDED TOR their registration as
voters But IN arder 10 register BE-
fore September l3. all the women who
are quAiided 70 vote in that election.
ooards Of registration and municipal
omcers should be authorized 70 De in
.
necessary ana under proper restr,c-
mons should Dc empowered 10 employ
clerks ana 20 appoint deputies
wherever these are necessary- 70 COM
piete the task within the time avail.
able.
The right 70 vote ought to carry
with II the right 10 hold ONCE. bur
the 18th Amendment 70 the Federal
Constitution probably does not confer
the latter right upon the women of
2 the nations Under the decisions of
our Maine courts. il is probable thsr
tne Hgnt 70 hold The oftces created
oy the Constitution can only De con-
fe,red upon women BY a Consritu-
uonaI amendment. but the night 70
noid ofaces created by the Lessia-
ture can undoubtedly be conferred
upon women by statute ana recon
mend that at this special sess,o,
legislation providing in subsrance
lnai. except as otherwise provided
n the Constitution Of the State M
person shall be deemed TO be ineli-
S'oie TO hold pubic ONCE by reason
Of sex.
Ii there is doubt as 70 the res,r;c-
ION imposed by the Constitution NJ
me state upon the eligibility Of wo-
men TO hold public ONCE, the ner.
AeSasaarure may properly ask The
opinion of the Supreme Jusic,.l
Court upon this question. ana than
propose constitutional am.,d.
nent for the removal Of any -es--r.
rions which the opinion Of rhe sour
may disclose.
! am informed thai through an IN
fortunate co-inctdenoe one Of II,
most solemn holy DAYS Of the .Ye-.b
cnurca falls upon election day Ser.
'emoer Is. and thai some tho,,ssnds
~ Jewish voters IN Maine Ar. :,
danser Of being disfrancaised on -h.,
Jay because 4 ssx1cs osservarcs A
tne tenets Of their faith would p-.-
vent them from performing the az
u marking the ballot with oen A.
penc1L II seems likely that this avn.
oaassment might safely he -
moved oy legislation allowing -hs--
me same assistance by election M
ce-s that Is now permitted N case. =,
physical disability.
It is my sad duty 70 announce 20
you the death Of Hon. John A. Rob
e.rs who for more than ave YEAR,
served the State Is commissioner II
Agriculture with admirable diligence
! ana aneiity. The Statutes make NJ