New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-03-18
Gilmour the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
in circular on the subject tersely expressed Tie
conditions as follows:

| Gilmour the Superintendent Of Public Instruction.
in circular on the subject, tersely expressed the
conditions as follows:
Under the Act OF February IL, 1880. women OF the
age Of twenty-one years and upward residents o,
school strict who entitled hold lands under the
laws of this state and who actually own or hire rear
estate liable 70 taxation in the district are
vote for school officers aud upon all questions pesente
| at school meetings. No other women are enttieu u
| vote upon any question al school meetings"
The number of women in the country districts
who "own OF hire real estate" as is well known, Is
q very small proportion Of the total number OF
women living In such districts.
QUALIFIED FRANCHISE IN SCHOOL MATTERS
The qualifications necessary for voting at school
meetings are prescribed in Section IL Of Title OF
the General Act of Public Instruction, passed IN
1864. They as followsi
boroo or school district and entitled TO hold lands in
this who or hires real properly ~ su s
neghborhood school district liable to taxat0h Ior
school purposes and every resident OF such nelghDor
hood or district authorized TO vote az town MEETINGS OF
the town in which be resides VINO has permanently re-
siding with him child or children Of school age, some
more OF whom SHAH nave ATTENDED ny re
school for period OF at least eight weeks WITHIN one
wear preceding or who owns personal property
liable 70 BE- taxed for school purposes IN any Sucn us
trcf exceeding $50 I'm value, exclusive OF tucn Us ~
erenpt from executon and no other shall he to
any school meeting held IN such neighpornoou Vi
district.
1t will he perceived that the section has two
property can vote the other that every resident
"authorized to vote at town meetings" may also
vote if he have children in his attending
or own personal property 10 the amount OF SoO'
The sentence. "authorized to vote at town meet
ings.n is however, a fatal obstacle 70 such women
voting Only male citizens are now authorized
to vote at town meetings" The town meetings are
elections y; and Article H. Section /. of the state
Constitution only authorizes male citizens 10
vote at elections" Some lawyers hold that even
school meetings are elections" but tins point
has not yet been decided by the courts IL tney
are women cannot legally vote al the sChool meet
iDgs - till the Constitution is amended MOST OF
the "schoOl meetings" III the 600 school districts
of the State are held In October next. Mr. Hllmour
then apprehends a great deal OF controversy over
the rght of women To vote, and appeals to nus once
and the courts to decide the matter. law passed
three years ago declaring that schooi olJ ih
elected in school districts having over 3OU emil
dren must be elected by ballot" would seem 10
indicate that they are elections" so far as me
business of the meeting includes the choosing OF
officers At these school meetings. also, much
business is done which bears resemblance 10 the
proceedings of town meetings. The voters nave
right to elect school trustees, To designate sites i9r
schoolhouscs and to vote tax upon tho taTao'
property or district. to purchase or hire school,
houses and TO buy books, mans. etc. -,
IL there IS some slight doubt about the legality OF
women voting at school meetings, at least that
the number OF women who can avail Themselves OF
the privilege Is very small mere Is no DOUBT lett ~
regard TO their eligibility to Office Alr Ward and
Mr.. Gllmour both mold that women are eligible
10 election as school officers from school com
missiouers down 10 the humblost OF school officers
in fact for all classes Of school officers. The
Constitution Is silent on the eligibility OF
women to those offices; and the Lceis-
lature has right. therefore. To pass n law NJ
frmatively upon the subject But the right OF wo-
men Cd vote-that Is matter which the courts .li
eventually, IN all probability have 20 decide. At
present however. the right of woman 20 vote
a. school mecticgs. who holds or hires real estate
VIII not hc raised. At Oh October elections. low
ever. there Will probably hc material furnished for
a lively contest iu tine courts al crvdrd 90 such DIS
tr.cjs as have had close elections ia which women
have f.i,cu part.