Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-01-06
MRS. DORA BRADFORD 7iNKHAM

NATURALLY some legislation is
more vitality interesting to women
than to men, and the reserve is most
emphatically true" declared Mrs.
Dora Bradbury Pinllham, Fort Kent,
Aroostook county. Names first Wo-
man representative to legislature.
when Journal reported asked her
Friday afternoon, if she could oh
serve any difference in the WOman'S
and the mans viewpoint. "Of course
more men are perhaps actually in
tereSted in good government because
men have been making laws q long
time. ! find 1 am interested in prac-
tically every question which is eN-
pected to come up. 1 do wish that
there were more women in the leg
islature. 1t would give me their
companionship. But everyone is so
splendid and considerate. OF course
1 feel that their courtesy is n tribute
to the women of Maine and was to
be expected from men of Maine.
Il noticed in a newspaper a state
ment some time ago that / was not
a club member. l gladly would be
a club member, but in our town we
library and YOU see it would be a
difficult matter to conduct a club
without library. I have thought
how splendid it would be to have a
club organizer come in and start a
club, but 1 have been too busy, my
self, to do anything about it. since
my return to my home town.
"And some people seem to have
the impression that was not inter-
ested in the cause of equal suffrage.
On the contrary / never was more
interested in any cause. as anybody
who ever knew me personally would
testify
1t is easy to see that Mrs. Pink
ham comes to the Maine House of
Representatives with an open mind,
eager to see and learn everything
She paid high tribute to Governor
BaNter's message, especially to the
resume which he made of the work
in the various State departments,
which she considered was an educa-
ton in itself and especially valuable
to new members.
Mrs. Pinkham is of the opinion
that the members of the Aroostook
delegation, her co-workers. are
splendid men. Their cordiality and
evident Willingness to help her, has
made her feel that she can call upon
them for help and that they will do
their best to work in conjunction
with her for the good of the county
and the State.
Fort Kent has not had Repub-
lican legislature for four years. AS
the lady from ArOostook expressed
1t, the men have no doubt thought
they could not spare the time from
earning their livings. Two years ago,
she was asked to run for Legislature,
but drew away from the newness of
the situation.
The prediction days had their
thrills. There were times when she
would have been glad to be defeated
and then the determination to win
fortified her again. The events fol-
lowing the election. as doubtless in
the life for the first three months,
at least of any legislator, have come
SO speedily, one after the other, that
Mrs. Pinkham has not had much
time to reflect upon her new career.
MANY women attended the ses-
siOns. The first time that felt some
what reluctant was when had to go
into the House, alone for the first
time" She was quick to add, al
though. that everything has been
perfectly splendid.
"A wrong impression perhaps was
given in a newspaper recently. It
was in regard to men smoking in
the House. My father smoked, my
husband smokes and have worked
in offices where there was smoking.
1t doesn't make any difference to
me, personally, about the men smok-
ing. It has been a rule of the House
for two sessions that there was to
be no smoking. The rule was not
made for my benefit, of course"
The Madawaska Training School IS
a source of great interest to Mrs.
Pinkham. She formerly taught at
that institution and has always had
a great interest in it. That institu-
ton will not be asking the State for
extra funds, being of the same status
as the normal schools. Fort Kent's
representative is very keen on the
history of the school and Friday re-
called the schools founder, how the
land was granted and the schools
growth
"What do you think about having
a poll tax for women" was the
question which she turned upon the
reporter. "Have you heard any
views on it?" The reporter, in
feeble manner. recalled to mind
some talk in regard to poll taxes