Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-03-10
MISS STEWARDS ''WOMAN'S PLACE
IN GOVERNMENT" Bull ARKED BY
COURTS WORD ON STATUS WOMAN

I'VE women are mere. TO stay anu
we mean to learn our lessons and
makeourselves felt for the betterment
of conditions of the home and the
country" said Miss Mary Stewart of
New York in stirring address given
before a large audience of men and
women that filed the Senate Cham
Der at the State House on Wednes-
day evening. Miss Stewards talk
upon the subject, "Woman's Place in
Government" was most timely, fol-
lowing Immediately the important
message of Governor Percival p. Bax-
ter that the justices of the Maine
supreme judicial court had given
their decision in answer to questions
submitted to them by him, that the
constitution of Maine does not pre-
vent the election Of women. qualified
in every respect other than sex, to
fill civil offices to which male citizens
might be lawfully appointed or elect
ed.
The meeting Of last evening was
held under the auspices of the Au-
gusta Republican club and was pre-
sided over by Hon. Willis E. Swift.
president of the club. 1t was a very
enthusiastic get together of women
and men, all interested in everything
that pertains to good government,
and the speakers of the evening, Gov
ernor Baxter and Miss Mary Stewart
gave most enlightening and interest
ins addresses.
Councilman Swift in calling the
session to order. congratulated the
audience in turning out for the meet
ig on an evening when there was such
"a downpour of rain. He referred to
the fact that the Republican club
was the first political club of Maine
to admit women on equal terms with
men. He stated that the club was
organized in the interests of good
government and good citizenship, be-
lieving that this object could be bet
ter secured through the Republican
party than through any other agency.
He pointed out that under our form
of government the will of the people
is expressed through the medium of
political parties, and he stated that
he believed it is the duty of every
man and woman to affiliate with the
party that best represents his or her
aims. He then introduced as the first
speaker of the evening, Hon. Percival
p. Baxter. governor of the State of
Maine. who was given rising ova-
ton.
Governor Baxter
In opening his address, Governor
Baxter also congratulated the people
for coming out on such a rainy eve
ming, for he said if anything could
dampen the Republican ardor it was
the terrific downpour. He said that
he had referred to the ladies and gem
! tlemen of Augusta as fellow citizens:
that a few days ago he left Augusta
for Washington and he felt a tinge
of inconsistencies when he left the
city; and that he was pleased to get
back and to meet again the members
o fthe Legislature and take up his
work again.
Tonight l have a message to de.
liver to you, most important mes
sage" said Governor Baxter, and he
stated that he had waited to tell it
first to citizens of Augusta. ut is no
eXaggeration to say that it might be
called epoch making for it means a
great deal to the people of Maine," he
said.
The Governor referred 10 the COM
munication which he had sent to the
justices of the Maine supreme court
and in which there were three ques-
tons relating to the right of women