The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-06
WOMEN PREPARING TO VOTE
WALKING Up TO THE TAX OFFICE AND
PAYING THEIR POLL tax.


Boaton's wealth and Iducntion, not its Igno-
rance nor Its VIce-rhe Newly Acquired
Rights of the sex In the Ola Hay state.
F,on IL, Boston Aire,s.r
Nnny one thinks the majority OF educated
AVA thinking women have received their newly
acquired right to vote en- educational questions
To one who has listened to the discussions
among themselves on the question. before tho
last hen"ncent LEGISLATURE had conferred the
privilege upon them. II was quite entertaining
20 listen tn their remarks uierward and IL
may be added. instructive MS well. since il
gave an Insight into the motive which con-
trolls an earnest woman's actions and
thought. recent conversation between SOW
pral representative women wns somewhat as
follows; Well we've got TO vote. nm artivo
opponent OF the measure announced with much
decision, and altogether moro satisfaction than
hcr previous sentiments would have warranted
Not necessarily" wns the reply of u suffrage
advocate. very many men never 30 near the
polls; you can exercise the same privilege. you
know. No ono is going to drive YOU to do what
you don't wish to: it's 70 or stay, Just rs you
PLEASE Indeed. ite not" was the warm re-.
lOindrr. since the right has been given us. 1t
Is plainly duty. and wr've no right to shirk II.
] hnvc always felt that tho educated men who
neglected 1t were guilty Of most cupnblo neg
lcct and 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. and
"Bnt what are We to do?" querlcd one Of the
newly enfrnnchised. " There's some preimi-
nary ceremony or other to be gone through
and We can't vote until we've gone through il"
,, MSve rots TO pay poll t9NIl know that
. hut now IN the world can we unless somebody
knows we want to-"
At this iuucture II was suggested by one who
mad been liStenlng. but had heretofore taken
no part in the discussion. becausc he was curl
Gus to soc how II would end. that the entire
party should go 10 the Assessors Office in City
Hall. and signify to those in charge their desire
10 contribute their share toward the payment Of
municipal expenses. in return for the privilege
OF saving 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 necessary
In putting on bonnets and gloves and in nm in
credihly short time the party was on It's way to
the City Hall. Preceded by their pilot they
marched boldly to the door Of tho Asscssors
room and entered. The gentlemen nj the desks
looked up and smiled MS the delegation entered
il was quite evident that they knew lis errand,
and that its members were not the first visitors
on the same errand. A gentleman detached
himself from n group Mt the further end OF the
room and came forward. There was merry
twinkle ir his eye. and he looked extremely
amused. probably at the supernatural solemnity
termined. MS II they didn't know what terrible
ordeal they would have to 20 through. but what
ever II was they would not finch.
The errand was explained by the spokesman.
The gentleman knew II before any one. had
stated H. but he received II as though it were
1T is a very easy matter. ladies. I can tell
you all about y in very short time. First OF
them" Each Of the ladies was given paper.
which was printed statement 10 the assessors
son who presented il was female citizen OF
the Commonwealth OF Massachusetts," who
wanted to pay poll tax II was followed by n
list OF taxable property. which, when filed 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
1t Is filled out 4 is TO- DO brought back here"
" But what then p
" From this the assessors will be able to make
out your tax bills II there is anything besides
the poll tax. The bill will be sent to you the
UrSt OF September, You will IL here md
when II is paid you will receive q certificate
which you will take TO the Board Of Registration
in Pemberton square and be registered. That
Is all ladies. that you will have TO do"
Dear me. how simplel We thought 1t a
much more intricate process"
Judging from the fnces there was heavy
weight lifted of the entire party's mind II was
evident they had all had vague ideas OF some
thing quite dreadful. and were surprised 10 find
II the simplest matter-oi fact proceeding in the
world. One OF the party gathered cour-
age to ask n few questions concerning
ings with the following result: BE-
tween two and three hundred women have al
ready been registered in Boston: every day
sees the number added to. ana II is very proba-
BILE that by autumn the number will be very
large. Without exception those who have pre-
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
exclusively the sO-called strong minded " but
there are many who have been either indiffer-
have accepted II. as did one member Of this
company. as a duty which must be fulfilled No
women either Ignorant or disreputable had
presented themselves.