Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-06-14
THE WOMEN
OfMassachusetts Preparing to Exercise
their Newly equired Right to
Vote-AI Glasses OF the Fair
Sex Eager to Show
their Hands.

Boston AdUsrtiser: If any one thinks the
majority of educated and thinking women
have received their newly acquired night to
vote on educational questions with lndItter-
ence he Is very much mistaken. To one who
has listened TO the discussions among them
selves on the question before the last beneh-
cent Legislature had conferred the privilege
upon them, 1t was quite entertaining to listen
to their remarks atterward, and, it may be
added, instructive as we'll, since it gave an
insight into the motive which controls an
earnest womans actions and thoughts. A
recent conversation between several repre-
sentative women was somewhat as follows:
''Well. we've got to vote,'' an active oppo.
nent Of the measure announced with much de-
clslon, and altogether more satisfaction than
her previous sentiments would have warrant
ed. mot necessarily" was the reply OF Il
suffrage advocate, very many men never go
near the polls; you can exercise the same
drive you to do what you don't wish to do;
1t go or stay, Just as you please" ''In-
deed, it's not" was the warm reioin6er
''Since the right has been given US, it is
plainly duty, and we've no right to shirk
it. l have always felt that the educated men
who neglected 1t were guilty of a most cul-
pable neglect, and l can't do what 1 have so
often condemned In others. There Is no
question of choice; there is only one thing to
be done, and l shall do it
but what are we to do?" queried one of
the newly enfranchised. There's some
preliminary ceremony or other to be gone
through, and we can't vote until we've gone
| through ii"
We've got to pay poll-tax-I know that
much, said one of the newly hsdged citi
zens, ''but how in the world can we unless
| somebody knows we want to?"
At this juncture 1t was suggested by one
who had been listening, but had heretofore
AoI-1 ~ la
was curious to see how it would end, that the
entire party should go to the assessors office
in city hall and signify to those In charge
| their desire to contribute their share toward
the payment of the municipal expenses In re
turn for the privilege of saying VINO shall
serve on the school board, and this dlsinter
ested person further showed his interest by
Offering to accompany them.
There was no m )re delay than necessary
in putting on bonnets and 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 asses
SOL ) room and entered. The gentlemen at
the desks looked up and smiled as the dele
cation catered. 1t was quite evident that
they knew its erraad, and that its members
| were not the first visitors on the same Grand.
4 gentleman detached himself from a group
at the further end OF the room and came for
| ward. There was merry twinkle In his eye,
| and he looked extremely amused, probably
at the supernatural solemnity of the party.
who looked appreheusive but determined, as
if they didn't know what terrible ordeal they
would have to go through, but whatever it
was they would not finch.
The Grand was explained by the spokes-
| man. That gentleman knew it before any
one had stated 1t, but he received it as though
IL were quite new.
at IS very easy matter, ladies. can tell
| you all about it IN very short time. First
Of all you must fill out those blanks and sign
| them" Each of the ladies was given a pa
per, which was printed statement to the as
| SCISSORS of the city of Boston, setting forth
| that the person who presented 1t was "a fe-
| male citizen OF the commonwealth of Massa-
chusetts," who wanted to pay poll-tax. 1t
was then followed by list of taxable prop
| erty, which, when filed out properly, would
| be statement of the amount possessed by
the person whose name was signed to it.
| You can take these papers with you, Ia
dies" said the gentleman who had given
them. when 1t is filled out 1t Is to be
| brought back here.
but what then ?"
''From this the assessors will be able &c
make out your tax bills if there is anything
| besides the poll-tax. The bill will be sent to
| you the first of September. You will pay it
| here, and when it Is paid you will receive q
| certificate, which you will take TO toe board
| OF registration, IN Pemberton square, and be
registered. That is all, ladies, that you will
| have to do"
Dear me, how simple! We thought it a
much more intricate process"
Judging from the faces there was 4 heavy
| weight lifted off the entire party's mind. 1t
was evident they had all had vague ideas of
something quite dreadful, and were surprised
| to find it the simplest matter-of.fact proceed
ing in the world. One of the party gathered
courage to ask a few questions concerning the
new law and its probable workings, with the
following result: Between two and three
hundred women have already been registered
In Boston; every day sees the number added
to, and it is very probable that by autumn
the number will be very large. Without ex-
| ception those who have presented themselves
have been women who have represented the
wealth and culture of the city. Many of
| them have been possessed of large property
! all of them have been well educated women.
| They do not by any means represent exclu-
sively the so-called ''strong minded" but
| there are many who have been either indif-
! fyyent, or even in some cases opposed, but
who have accepted it, as did one member of
this company, as a duty which must be full
! filed. No women either ignorant or disrep-
| utable had presented themselves