Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-11-03
QUEER SCENES AT THE POLLS,
W omen Voting in a school Election
at Flushing
From the New York Times. Oct. u,

at Flushing.
From the New York Times. Oct u,
An interesting contest took place at
Flushing, Dong Island, yesterday, over
the election to fill the office of member
Of the board of education. One of the
contestants for the Office was a lady,
Mrs. Harriet S. Judd, the wife of Or
ange W. Judd, Esq, the opposition
nominee being Mr.. Benz. w. Downing,
district attorney Of Queens county, and
for several years president of the beard
Of school trustees OF Flushing. Party
spirit has run high in the village since
the candidates were announced, each
having many and warm adherents. As
members of both sexes were allowed to
vote, it was believed that in the strug-
gle yesterday the ladies' ballots would
secure Mrs. Judd's election. The ladies
made a lively canvass, and succeeded
IN polling an Unexpectedly large vote.
This is the first time that women have
voted IN Flushing. Yesterday at noon
the polls were opened. A large crowd i,
including several females of the Irish
persuasion, had gathered about the
town hall, where the voting was to take
place. All persons were allowed to vote
who we're over q years of age, owning
real property. or paying hire therefor,
and being citizen of the United States
residing within the school district of
Flushing The gentler sex distinguished
itself by getting in the first vote, and
for two hours after the polls were
opened the hallway was filled with a
struggling mass of men and women,
and the shrill tones of feminine voices
arose above all other sounds. 1t was
quite apparent from the appearance of
the streets of Flushing that something
extraordinary was taking place. In
stead of the usual crowds disposed
about the street corners were little
groups of women discussing the bust
ness of the hour. In the immediate
neighborhood of the town hall women
who had come to vote, but had not vet
exercised that privilege, gathered in
groups and cast hesitating and couuet-
fish chances toward the polling place.
During the early hours of the voting
most Of the female voters were of the
Milesian order and adherents of Mr..
Downing. They came to the spot in
carriages furnished by the candidate by
th1ees, and tours, and families. At the
desk Of the inspectors some funny dia-
logues were heard, especially when the
ballot sought to be deposited was chal-
lenged. Mrs, Margaret Galley ap-
preached the desk with an open ballot
in her "unpurchased hand" but evil
IDENTIFY nervous. When the chairman
informed her that her vote was chal-
lenged, she threw down the ballot ard
said: "Ah! don't We be bothering about
it ut all, at al, " and began edging to-
ward the door, but her supporters
pushed her forward and induced her to
hold up her hand and take the required
oath. A great deal of nervousness was
shown by all the ladies, indignation,
however, being confined to the rougher
classes, who could not understand the
restrictions imposed on voters. One
woman said, after her vote was re-
fused, can why shouldn't | vote. an
me having given soldiers and soldiers
wives to the country" The ladies of
color rode up in their carriages grand
as countesses, and when they had
voted were driven home again. The
lady voters were by no means confined
to the humber and more vociferous
classes, for all day long silks and sat-
ms rustled about the hallway, jostling
the dirty pantaloons of freemen, and
their wearers casting their votes as they
came.
The polls closed at eight o'clock, and
later III the evening it was announced
that III votes had been cast, of which
Mr.. Downing received SO and Mrs.
Judd 442, There were $50 female votes
cast.