Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-11-05
FEMALE SUFFRAGE,
HOW THE VOTERS OF LONG ISLAND CHANGED
SCHOOL OFFICERS.

HOW THE VOTERS OF LONG ISLAND CHANGED
SCHOOL OFFICERS.
Recently the town of New Lots had
its annual election of school trustees,
and David Hopkins and August Detlotf
were rival candidates. Mr.. Hopkins
made up his mind when he was nomin-
ated that he would not allow his friends
to blind him to the defects of his own
political standing, and so he sat down
quietly and thought his prospects over.
After a good deal of reasoning, and a
liberal use of paper and pencil, Mr..
Hopkins came to the conclusion that he
would certainly be defeated by at least
100 majority. The case being apparent
" hopeless, he made up his mind to
yield gracefully to the inevitable and re-
tire from the field before the election,
coupling his withdrawal with letter to
his opponent, Mr.. Detloff, saying that
he fully recognized the paramount worth
of the gentleman against whom he had
the distinguished honor to run, and, as
he furthermore cherished toward him
the feelings of man and brother, he
would now withdraw his opposition, that
the people of New Lots might have the
pleasure of electing their trustee by a
unanimous vote.
Mr.. Hopkins was sitting up late one
night, copying this letter in red ink on
sheet of cream surface, pearl tinted
writing paper, when suddenly thought
dartsd acrose his brain like flash of
lightning, and, kicking the inkstand in
to the fire, he tore the pearl tinted paper
into strips, and, going up to his room
four steps at time, began to pack his
valise with haste. At o'clock the next
morning a light blackboard wagon,
drawn by q lively sorrel mare, sped
along the roadway leading out of New
Lots into the country thereabouts, and
in the blackboard, sitting perfectly erect,
with his hat set jauntily little on one
side-a very unusual proceeding-was
Mr. Hopkins, smiling in such bland and
cordial good-fellowship that the country
folk he met upon the way were forced to
smile in return, and after passing to
turn and look again at the pleasant look
ing gentleman. Mr.. Hopkins remained
away for some time, but when he return
ed he still smiled.
Election day at last arrived, and as
the votes came pouring in the citation o.
Mr.. Detloff's friend became extremely
painful to the friends of Mr.. Hopkins
and they shook their heads ominously
But still Mr. Hopkins smiled. Suddenly
broad grin overspread his features as
an old-fashioned country carryall drove
up, and five farmers wives and daugh
ters climbed to the ground, while the
farmer who had driven them ovel
said:
GLOW are ye Mr.. Hopkins?" AnG
then, turning to the women, added
'Now do It,"
"But," said one, tive don't know
how"
"You go right in there, and stuff you
five votes in whichever one of them box
es is marked Hopkins and don't vol
make no mistake"
And then as the anti-Hopkinites look
ed down the road they were appalled,
for they saw more farmers wagons com
ing, all filed with smiling women. AnC
the women came to the number of 108
and every woman voted for Mr., Hopkins
and when the returns were posted, Mr.
Hopkins was declared elected. He still
smiled, while Mr.. Detloff showed hi
hands way down into his pockets ant
murmued:
'Tm blamed if I didn't forget tina
women could vote this year"
Mrs DR.. Dean and nine other wome1
voted at the school meeting in Patch
ogue, L. I. Mrs. Julia Ayres and Mrs
NJ. B. Taylor voted at the school meet
ing in Poland. The women general,
voted in all three districts in Easton. Ii
one district woman was chosen truste,
and another women collector In an
other district the women's votes turned
the scale in the choice of trustee. II
Lowville seven women voted at thu
school meeting. Others sought to do so
but the district clerk, who was candi
date for reelection, and to whom the,
were opposed, threatened them will
penalties if they voted. Mrs. s. Augusts
Herrick and DR.. Fdelia J. NJ Whit
comb were elected school trustees il
Nunda by 100 votes to 95. Over Al
women voted. Six ladies voted at The
school meeting in East Poughkeepsie
The first was Miss Wheeler, Vassal
college student, who attended with hel
parents.