Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-02-14

the keynote of Names politics has
been struck here. The club could not
have chosen a more fitting name, and
having done so there rests upon it
the solemn responsibility of remain
ing true to the high ideals of Abra-
ham Lincoln.
1t was my bad fortune to be alb
sent from last years memorial ban
quet when this club was honored by
the presence of our next president,
Warren G. Harding. Illness confined
me at home, but later good fortune
returned and it was my privilege to
be delegate to the National Repub-
lican Convention in June and to rep
resent out State at the formal noti-
fication ceremonies in Marion last
July. There / had the opportunity of
meeting as kindly AMI as unaffected
a man as anywhere can be found;
a man unspoiled by the great honor
that had come to him. A simple,
high minded American, true to type,
President Harding will safely lead
our country through the years to
come. The opportunity also came to
me to meet his devoted wife, wom-
an of the simple tastes and kindly
feelings of her husband. The White
House will be delightful home and
I often think how mutually agree
able it is for our, Senator Hale to be
on such friendly terms of intimacy
with that family that soon will oc-
cupy it.
AS has been said, the women Of the
Lincoln Club are here tonight as our
partners. not as guests. That is as
1t should be and as I long have de-
sired. Representing the men of
Maine, l greet you women as our
equals, but in my heart I know you
as our superiors. Our happiness is
now complete! 1t will interest the
women present and probably the
men, to know that all doubts regard
ing the holdings of constitutional Of
fees by the women of Maine will
soon be removed. Under our Consti-
tuition. as interpreted by an old de-
cision of our supreme court, it is in
ferred that women on account of
sex are not eligible to certain State
positions. When this decision was
rendered, women had not come into
their own, although even in those
days they were allowed to occupy a
prominent position in domestic es-
Establishments, but their privileges
ended there. This morning, acting
under provision of law, ] as gov
ernor, submitted a question to the
supreme court of our State asking
that court whether or not women
now are eligible with men for civil
offices in Maine. This action will
clear away all doubts. If the court
answers in the affirmative, al is
well; if in the negative, I shall inn
mediately prepare and submit to the
Legislature a constitutional amend
ment providing that the women and
men of Maine shall hereafter be
equally entitled to hold office in our
State. The day of discrimination on
account of sex is passed.
At Augusta. the Legislature is in
full swing. The work is well under
way and every day is full to over
flowing. The Republican party is in
power and upon it rest all RESPONSE
bility. A Senate of 81, all Republi-
cans, and House of ISL, all Reptb-
licans but IA, gives as free hand as
imagination could desire. Whatever
is done is done by u.s. Excuses can
no longer cover errors, and the Re-
publicans in 1922 mvst stand or fall
upon the records of this administra-
ton and of this Legislature. If af-
fairs go wrong, we pay the penalty;
il right, the credit then is ours. Our
work is yours; the States affairs are
yours and at all times shall infor-
nation be at your disposal. Our
opportunitiesfor good are great. We
ask fair and unselfish criticism. The
times are difficult; the demands in
sistent; the Taxpayer overburdened.
and the resources limited The work
is serious and we bespeak your CO..
operation and support in all that is
for the highest interest of our state.
.