Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-03-25

MRS. C. I. II. Nichols formerly Of Bratteboro and
at one time editor Of The PHGSIx, in the Pacific
(SAn FrAncisco) Press.

mrs. G. i. H. Nichols formerly OF Bratteboro, and
at one time editor Of The PHGsIx, In the Pacific
(San FrAnctsco) Press
Having begged your hospitality and invited
your lady contributors TO Home" coming,
ii seems incumbent upon me to see to It that
the table is neatly set, the tea fragrant, the
biscuits light, the cream and butter sweet, and
then with my budget of good news-which,
when you hear ii you will not be surprised
that / am in haste TO circulate it-and the
nom de plume offerings, and the characteris-
tic sentiments Of the circle, / don't believe
that 'just corner" will be conceded for the
retreat of that veteran contributor" who
should sit at the right hand of the host, let
who will ''pour the tea" (the honorary duty
in our young days) or pass the sugar. With
q hearty good.evening to responding friends,
and grip Of the editorial hands, / am happy
to announce that Veym0nt-that conserva-
tive, old-school veteran-has cut of his cue,
made q bonfire of his wig, exchanged his
small clothes and buckles for a new-school
rig, and having, like Job of old, divided to
his daughters an inheritance among their
brethren, has taken passage on the western
train of modern civilization. And happily
there is no doubt that, like Jobs his later
days will be more blessed for this act OF JUS
tice to his daughters, who-notably capable
are emigTatiDg to other states where their SER
vices are appreciated, and rewarded by civil
positions of profit and trust.
Why am l so jubilant over Vermont? It is
not alone that it is my native state, that re-
joice to see her progressing 'in the way in
which she should CO." confess to person
al interest in the matter that with earnest
heart and sorely tried, was the first to break
ground for this new departure, and before any
other state had moved in the interest of
school suffrage for women. II is, that what
was then a doubtful act in the common esti-
nation, is now justified, by a common ap-
proval. Let me tell you how it happened, and
then you see how it is that Sister Nichols
Christmas and New Year are frightened with
trophies Of the past. But first let me tell this
| good news II is that by a vote Of 139 TO 33
| in the House, and 25 to in the Senate, the
women of Vermont have henceforth the same
right as men to vote in all school-district
meetings, and in the election of school COM
missioners in towns and cities and the same
right to hold offices relating TO school Affairs
| BY another act of the same legislature, wo-
men may be town superintendents and trus-
tees, and also, women doing business in their
own name, may sue and be sued in their own
name, though married.
Twenty-eight years ago the 26th Of last
| October, spoke before the Vermont House
of Representatives by invitation of that
body on the merits Of petition signed by
some $50 citizens of Brattleboro, asking for
women of Vermont the school suffrage grant
| ed by this legislature. The petition which
had drawn up, signed by taxpaying women
and men from all the professions, political
parties and business departments, many of
them names of influence throughout the state,
was referred TO the Educational Committee,
whose chairman "a brother editor), being bit
terly opposed to "woman's rights" 1 appeal
ed to Judge Thompson, editor OF the Green
Mountain Freeman, TO enlist some friendly
member to defend it against q safeguarding
report. Judge T. replied that he 'had con-
suited all the leading members of the three
political parties, and they advised, as the best
course, that Mrs. Nichols come to Montpelier
and speak to the petition herself and II she
would do so, they would procure vote Of the
House to give her hearing" "And," added
Judge t., ''you can hang on 1t the whole sub
feet of women's rights. Come, and will
stand by you like brother. My wife joins
me in inviting you to our home, etc.
When / referred the matter TO my husband,
and asked, "Shall 60 2" his Yankee reply
was, ''Oan you have you the nerve p ex.
planned that could not leave home TO pre-.
sent the subject in every town in the state,
but that in the legislature every town had q
representative of at least average intelligence
and If could make a favorable impression,
II only to allay prejudices, SO that members
when inquired of by their constituents, would
give fair report discussion would result
repressed sympathies would find expression
the guns of our opponents would be spiked
and the beginning of a successful end would
be assured. Any immediate Accomplishment
of the object Of the petition did not expect
On the contrary, assured my husband tha
expected misrepresentation and reproaches
from outsiders, at least that knew my fam
lily relatives would be panied by them. And
now tell me, would they give you pain ?
His emphatic reply-'"There should be no re
proach for the performance Of duty" said Al
plainly as words could have said it, that th'
CONSEQUENCES of duty performed should be I
sovereign cure for the pain Of misrepresenta
tion and reproach. went to the capitol
and presented the whole subject of woman'
legal wrongs, including the denial of hei
mothers rights in the custody and control O