The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-07-10
The Women Voters Of Boston.

III any one thinks the majority of
euucsted and thinking women have re-
ceIFeu tneir newly-acquired right to
VoIe on educational questions with in
~ IriueIence, ne Is very much mistaken.
10 one who had listened 10 the discus-
siOns among themselves on the 0uestion
before the last benifieent T,edislatnra
had conferred the privilege upoD them.
10 was quite entertaining to listen to
their remarks afterward, aud it NAV be
added, Instructive as well, since il gave
an insight into the motive which con-
trolls an earnest wOman's actions and
thought. a recent conversation be-
tween several representative women
was somewhat as follows:
"Well, we've got to vote,n an active
opponent of the measure announced
with much decision, and altogether more
satisfaction than her previous sedtI-
ments would have warranted
mot necessarily" was the reply
of a suffrage advocate; every many
men never 90 near the polls;
/ lege, you know. No one is going to
drive you to do what you don't wish to;
/ it's 60 or stay, just as you please"
Indeed, it's not" was the warm re-
! joinder. "Sinee the right has been
given US, it is plainly duty, and we've
no right to shirk il. l have always felt
that the educated men who neglected it
were guilty Of a most culpable neglect,
and l can't do what have so often con-
demned in others. There is no question
of choice; there is only one thing to be
done. aud / shall do it,"
"But what are we to do ," queried
one of the newly enfranchised. 'fThere
is some preliminary ceremony or other
to be gone through, and we can't vote
until we've gone through it."
"We've got to pay poll taxi know
that much, "said one Ofthe newly-fledged
citizens; "but how in the world can we
unless somebody knows we want tor
At this juncture it was suggested by
one who had been listening, but had
heretofore taken no part in the discus
sion, because he was curious to see how
it would end, that the entire party
should go to the Assessors Office 10 the
/ City Hall, and signify to those in charge
their desire to contribute their share
/ toward the payment Of municipal ex-
/ penses, in return for the privilege Of
/ saying who shall serve on the School
/ Board; and this disinterested person
/ further showed his interest by offering
to accompany them.
/ There was no more delay than was
.
gloves, and in an incredibly short time
the party was on its way to the City
/ Hall. Preceded by their pilot, they
marched boldly to the door Of the Assess
Or's room and entered. The gentlemen
at the desks looked up and smiled as
the delegation entered. 1t was quite
evident that they knew its errand, and
that its members were not the first vis-
itors on the same errand. A gentleman
detached himself from a group at the
further end of the room and came for
ward. There was a merry twinkle in
his eye, and he looked extremely
amused, probably at the supernatural
sOlemnity of the party, who looked ap-
prehensive but determined, as if they
didn't know what terrible ordeal they
would have to 90 through, but, what
ever it was, they would not finch.
The errand was explained by the
spokesman. The gentleman knew it
before any one had stated it, but he re-
ceived it as though it were quite new.
/ at is very easy matter, ladies.
can tell you all about it in a very short
time. First of all, you must fill out
these blanks and sign them"
Each of the ladies was given a paper,
which was a printed statement to the
assessors of the city of Boston, setting
was "a female citizen of the Common
wealth of Massachusetts" )" who wanted
to pay poll tax. 1t was followed by a
list of taxable property, which, when
filled out properly, would be a statement
of the amount possessed by the person
whose name was signed to it.
You can take these papers with you,
ladies'" said the gentleman who had
given them. when it is filled out, il
is to be brought back here"
"But what then ?"
"From this the assessors will be able
to make out your tax bills, If there is
anything besides the poll tax. The bill
will be sent to you the first of Septem-
ber. You will pay it here, and when it
is paid you will receive a certificate.
which you will take to the Board of
Registration in PembeTton Square aud
be registered. That is all, ladies', that
you will have to do"
"Dear me! how simple. We thought
it much more intricate prOcess.U
Judging from the faces, there was a
heavy weight lifted off the entire party's
mind. 1t was evident they had all the
vague ideas of something quite dreadful,
and were surprised to find it the sim
plest matter. of-faet proceeding in the
world. One of the party gathered cour-
age 10 ask a lew questions concerning
the new law and its probable workings,
with the following result: Several
hundred women have already been reg
istered in Boston every day sees the
number added TO. Without exception,
those who have presented themselves
have beeu women who represent the
wealth and culture of the city. They do
NOT bv any means represent exclusively
the s0-called "strOng minded" !" but there
are many who have been either indif-
ferent, or even in some cases opposed.
bat who have accepted it, as did one
member of this company, as a DUTY
which must be fulfilled. No women
either ignorant or disreputabIe had pre-
sented themselves.-BO Advertiser
In Maine, a man once got too much
of the ardent aboard, and was put into
a collin TO sleep OF the effects Of liquor.
When he awoke he sprang out in haste,
exclaiming, "Glory to Gideon The
resurrection morn has come, and Pm
the first man on the ground ~
"Wife," said a man, looking for his
ooot-Jack, 81 have places where I keep
my things, and you ought to know it."
"Yes," said she; 81 ought to know
where you keep your late hours, but
don't"
If Adam had been created a boy in
stead of a full-grOwn man, he would
have elubbed all the apples off from that
tree before the serpent had a chance 10