Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-02-27

to preside. It was looked upon as
disrespectful.
1t was pointed out by Mr.. Whit
ing that the Senate is to a large
degree debating society-much
more so than the House of Repre-
sentatives-and words are the ex-
preston of thought which precede
action. When you cut out verbosity
you restrict the Senate's opportunity
for free speech. The Senate and
House have always been objects OF
ridicule and always will be, but a
good man doesn't suffer from sharp
criticism that does not do any harm,
said the speaker.
Declaring that he had always been
pro-suffrage, Mr.. Whiting spoke of
the failure of women in Congress
to show any compelling reason willy
other women should be elected. This
he brought out not so much in the
spirit of criticism, but rather to
present a fact to be considered by
the thoughtful. He spoke of each
or the seven women who have held
seats in Congress and showed how
four of them inherited the right to
the Office" Women in Congress are
expected to show a degree of ability
above the other Congressman, he
declared.
1t was his contention that while
representative democracy is not per-
rect, II the present congressman
should give way to statesmen of rare
ability who have made a deep study
or the problems, Congress would he
failure and the result would prob
ABLY be a revolution. Congress
would then be a governing class
rather than real representative
body. Congress is called the House
or Representatives, not a House of
Lawmakers or Statesmen.
The speaker gave most interest. :
ing word picture of Senator Borah,
referring to him as a man greatly
respected and feared but seldom
agreed with, and most effective
speaker who uses no tricks of ora
tory.
Nicolas Longworth was referred To
as likely material for President. Mrs.
Longworth has her fathers rare po-
lltical sense. and if YOU ever see Mr.
Longworth President, 40 per cen..
or the credit will be due to Mrs.
Longworth. said Mr.. Whiting.
The speakers remarks were ac-
corded enthusiastic applause.
Governor Brewster Gives Greetings
Governor Brewster, conveying the
greetings of the State to the Fedora
ton at the morning session, said that
he likes to lend his endorsement to the
Federation's activities devoted to high
ideals which have always inspired tho
clubs,
The position of women in the State
is thing of increasing Importance in
our civic life and we see world
Transforming itself with rapidity and
each new day bringing transforma-
ton to our doors, he declared
This country suffers from an ina
bility to organize it's resources. It's
storehouses are filled with everything
We want to eat and wear and enjoy,
but the masses of people cannot Sc
cure them because an economic sys-
tenn has not given them the power to
secure these things. This is an Illus
tration that America has not yet ar
rived, but is yet at the dawn of the
solution of these tremendous prob
lens. America has organized itself
industrially and is producing these
the masses Of people with power to Sc
cure them.
The governor spoke of the need of
converting these material things into
terms of culture and idealism. dec1ar-
ing them this is womens task.
We do not need to be concerned with
the problems of the pioneer or the de-
velopment of our industrial life, but
in this half century we need to be
concerned-and it is women's priv
ilege to guide in this-as to whether
America out of the maelstrom of its
achievement shall go forward or stag
nate in these decades ahead. Every
achievement is built out of torture or
born out of a garnet. and garrets have
had a tendency to disappear.
You will most fttingly serve Maine
and the nation. said the governor, by
devoting yourselves to the considera-
ton of how to convert such comforts
as you have to culture, art and re-
ligious decotion in the communities
where you live.
America must go forward. must con-
vert these marvellous achievements
into greater progress for human kind.
The State of Maine welcomes your
gathering and other similar gather
ings, realizing the uplifting spirit
that animates you in your service to
the State.
Rounds Of applause followed tho
governors address.
Committees Report
The presentation of reports of com
mittees occupied the morning session
of the conference. The assembly
joined in repeating the club collect I'M
leaders shin of Mrs 1nh1 "
Skolfield of Portland, first vice pres-
dent. The Hallowell Current Events
Club led the singing of pines of
Maine" written by Elizabeth Powers
Merrill of Skowhegan.
Two vocal selections given by Mrs.
Elizabeth Robinson of Augusta were
greatly enjoyed and appreciated. Mrs.
Frank E. Southland of Augusta played
the piano accompaniment.
Presidents Address
Miss Anna. c. Witherle of Castine,
president of the Federation, in her
address spoke as follows:
So far, at least, the new admin
istration has no new or startling
policies to announce. If we can carry
on to a still higher degree of accom-
plishment the good work of the pre-
vious administration, we shall GER
tainly feel that We are doing much
for the welfare of the Federation and
of the State.
In order to keep more women in
touch with the Federation. the Fed
Grafton News was started, as you
know, by the last administration.
There is no question as to the wis
dom of continuing the publication of
this paper. This year We have been
encouraged by receiving about 200
subscriptions to the News, but this
number seems ridiculously small
when we think of the six to seven
thousand club Women in the Eeder-