The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-06-20
WHOLE NO. 1865.
WOMEN PREPARING TO VOTE.
From the Boston Advertiser.

! WOMEN PREPARING TO VOTE.
From the Boston Advertiser.
III any one thinks the aonty of educated
and thinking women have received their newly
acquired right to vote on educational questions
with indifference he is very muck mistaken.
10 one who has listened to the discussions
among themselves on the question before tbe
last benetcent Legislature had conferred the
privilege upon them, il was quite entertaining
TO listen to their remarks afterward. and IL
may be added, instructive as well. since II cave
an insight into the motives which controls an
earnest womans actions and thought. A re-
cent conversation between several representa-
i've women was somewhat as follows: Well.
we've got to VOTE" an active opponen OF the
measure announced with much decision, and
altogether more satisfaction than her previous
sentiments would have warranted. Not nee
essarily," was the reply OF a suffrage advocate.
very many men never 60 near the polls you
can exercise the same privilege, you know. No
one Is going to drive you to do what YOU don't
wish to; it's go or stay, just as you please
Indeed, It's not" was the warm rejoinder.
Since the right has been gwen us, it is plain
duty and we've no right to shirk it. have al
ways thought that the educated men who neg
lected 1T were guilty of a most cupable neglect,
and can't do what l have so often condemned
in others. There is no question OF choice; there
is only one thing to be done, aud shall do it.D
But what are we to do?r queried one OF
the newly enfranchsed. There's some pre-
liminary ceremony or other to be gone through
ana we can't vote until we've gone through it,
We've got to pay poll taxi know that
much,' said one OF the newly-fedged citizens;
but how in the world can we unless somebody
knows we want to-
AT this juncture it was suggested by one who
had been listening, but had heretofore taken
no part IN the discussion because he was curl
Gus to see how it would end, that the entire
party should go to the Assessors Office IN the
City Hall, and signify to those IN charge their
desire to contribute their share toward the pay
ment OF municipal expenses, in return for the
privilege OF saying who shall serve on the
School Board; and this dsInterested person
further showed his interest by Offering TO ac-
company them.
! There was no more delay than was necessary
In putting on bonnets and gloves, aud IN an in
credible short time the party was on lts way to
the City Hail. Preceded by their pilot, they
marched boldly to the door Of the Assessors
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 visitors
on the same errand. A gentleman detached
himself from group at the further end of the
room and came forward. There was merry
! twinkle in bis eye, and he looked extremely
amused probably at the supernatural solemmty
OF the party, who looked apprehensive bat de-
teImined, as If they didn't know what terrible
ordeal they. would have 20 so through. but
whatever 1t was they would not finch.
The errand was explained by the spokesman.
The gentleman knew 1t before any oae had
stated it, but he received 1t as though il we're
quite new.
1T is very easy matter, ladies'. can telp
you all about it in very short time First OF
all, you must I'll out these blanks aud sign
them" Each of the ladies was given a paper,
which was printed statement 10 the assessors
of the City OF Boston. setting forth that the
person who presented it was "a female citizen
OF the Commonwealth Of Massachusetts," who
wanted to pay poll tax. 1t was followed by a
list of taxable property, 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, ladies'"
sad the gentleman who had given them. When
it is filed out II is to be brought back here
81 But what then ~
From this the assessors will be able 10
make out Your tax bills il there is anything be-
sides the poll tax. The bill viii bessen 20 you
the first of September You will pay 1t here,
and when it is paid you will receive certificate
which YOU will take to the Board OF Re9istra
ton in Pemberton Square and be registered.
This is all, ladies, that you will have to do
Dear mo, how simple! We thought 1t a
much more intricate process"
Judging from the faces there was heavy
weight lifted off the entire partys mind. Ii
was evident that they had all vague ideas Of
|, something quite dreadful and we're surprised
,, TO find it the simplest matter offact proceed
!, ing IN the world. One OF the party gathered
/. courage to ask few questions concerning the
new law and Its probable workings, with the
following result Between 200 and 800 women
have been registered in Boston; every day sees
, the number added to. and 1t is very probable
that by autumn the number will be very large.
Without exception those who have presented
Z themselves have been women who have repre-
sented 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-
ent or even in some cases opposed, but who
have accepted it. as did one member OF this
company as duty which must be fulfilled.
: No women either ignorant or dsreputable had
presented themselves.
a aNo don't learn rade, young man. you
, might soil your hands, wilt your shirt collar,
8 and spoil your complexion sweating. Go hang
I your chin over counter; learn to talk twad-
!, dle to the ladies'; part your hair In the middle
r make an ass Of yourself generally, and worn
g. ,r.oas that wouldn't support Chinese