The New York herald., 1868-09-21
WOMEN CLAIM THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND ARE DENIED THE
PRIVILEGE

The lady property owners OF Mount Vernon, West
chester county, n Y, claimed the right OF suffrage
on Saturday evening last but failed to obtain the de-
sired recognition as legal voters on the occasion.
meeting OF taxpayers had been called to vote for or
against sundry appropriations recommended by the
Board Of Trustees ior contemplated improvements In
the condition OF the roads, crosswaks, sidewalks
&c. william II. Pemberton, President OF the Board
Of Trustees was called to the chair The proposition
to raise 600 by tax for highway purposes was first
submitted to the meeting. After considerable dis
cussion as to the best time OF doing the work and
the necessity Of having money on hand when needed
for the payment Of labor to be performed when DONE
the resolution In favor OF making the appropriation
was submitted to the meeting.
At this stage OF the proceedings Mr.. II. J. LANE
stated that he held In his hand the names Of about
one hundred ladies who own property In the village,
and we're therefore entitled 10 be heard In the mat.
ter or, in other words. should be allowed to vote on
the question.
Mr.. QUAcKBNBusu quoted the village charter and
state law to show tnat the ladies were not qualified
10 vote.
village were called, and resulted In ifty six votes
being recorded for the resolution tn forty-seven
against. The announcement Was greeted with much
applause by the advocates Of improvements, the
same resolution having been voted down ON both
former occasions.
The proposition TO raise 5000 for construction
and repairs of crosswaks read.
Mr.. :. r. JENNINGS remarked that he wanted to
know whether the Trustees were going 10 construct
them Of tar gravel. If so he should oppose the
proposition, and he doubted no; Others would do the
same. The citizens had seen enough OF them. lie
was In favor OF laying down good stone crosswalks
aud II the money would only pay for four or five he
~ 40. he wanted these, aud the next year have more
Of the same SORT
The Trustees accepted the suggestion and the reso-
luton carried. resolution In favor Of raising
the sum OF sl25 for compiling and publishing the
village ordinances was adopted. Also q resolution
III favor Of raising s40J for salaries OF corporation
officers.
resolution in favor OF raising g. 500 for advances
In making sidewalks was next submitted and Gre
aed u storm OF discussion. inasmuch as II was con-
ceed the part OF the Board OF Trustees that the
appropriation was not for future improvements, but
to make good dcfacation OF John ;. Norke, the ex
collector Tor the village, VINO had collected assess
ments FOR making sidewalks some time ago aud de-
caInped with the sauie. At All events he made no
return 10 the Treasurer of the money received by
him.
several gentlemen contended that money could
not he raised under the pretext OF being for repairs
OF sidewalks and use IL TO make good the dcfalca-
tlon OF Mr. Yorke. Mr.. Quackenbush on the part OF
the Trustees contended that II was the only way In
| which IL could be done.
| Mira MACDONALD here rose to say that lady, Mrs.
Harriet Seayer. heavy taxpayer had just entered
the room. and IN whose behalf she desired 10 o.er
was question before the meeting aud therefore sui
was out ~ order.
Aftcr further discussion on the proposition tC
raise 500 10 meet the defalcaon OF Mr. forke ana
the objection 10 the form IN which IL had Deen pre-
4 seated Tor action the Chair sustained that view o
tie matter and thus disposed Of it for the present
resolution 10 raise t75 for rent OF truck nous'
was adopted -
1
property owners as regards thcr right 10 vote Oh
| appropriations.
Mr. =. Lucas. Jr., and remarked that Mr.. Fer
| guson mad voted. and his wife desired To vote
| The CHAIRMAN stated that he had looked into tn'
matter. aud puoiei several sections Of the village
| ana StHe laws the subject, which clearly dennet
| who we're legal voters. and he therefore decided
that the ladies' although owners OF property ant
tXpayersl we're not entitled 30 vote At that meeting
The dccisiOn against the iadies elected great ap
pause from aiiuOSt the entire array of masculine
voters present.
Nr WtSgArR here rose aud appealed from the de
cison OF the Chair IN behalf Of four ladies whom h,
claimed TO represent their attorney. several cti
Zens protested against Mr.. Wlngates interference
couiending That he was neither taxpayer nor
resident of the place. aud cries of put him out pu
hm uuI," resOunded from every part Of the crowded
room.
Mr.. g. ". BARNrs rose and made a very concilia
tory speech contcndng that the ladies who claimed
The riVh ~ representation sufrage in this matter
feeling hashfui and unwilling to take a conspicuous
part in the proceedings. had deputized Mr. Wngst'
iospeak iur them. aud merely AJAX the meeting a
large 10 decide whether they were entitled to v0t'
| OF not, so that they might bring the question ~
| III proper shape elsewhere.
r J.. MCCLELLAN also made few excellent re
marks as 70 the respect which should be shown 3,
the ladies' whose presence, he contended, had don,
| much on this occasion.
Mrs. hAcruSALp here embraced an opportunity I,