Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1885-02-05
NORTHERN TRIBUNE.
THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 8. 1885.
WOMEN AS VOTERS.
The Election in Washington Territory

account or the participation or women
In the political affairs of Seattle, Wash
ington Territory:
The municipal elections OF Seattle,
which is lively little city of some TO-
600 Inhabitants, had always been non
partisan. Nominations for city Offices
have generally been by mass convention,
called by prominent citizens, without
distinction OF party, and the opposition
ticket usually consisted of candidates
defeated In the first convention. NO is
sues Of political nature were ever pre-
scented, and no inquiry or attention di-
lions or party views. The city election
takes place annually in June. As the
time approached, il becam me evident that
the women. "a body, proposed to take a
decided interest in politics, and more
than six hundred had registered before
election day. The WomaR's Christian
Temperance Union was the nucleus,
around which they formed compact
little party OF voting strength suffi-
cient to show that they held the balance
Of power in the community. Some of the
older and shrewder politicians OF the
Christian statesmen" type, Including
two ex-Chief Justices OF Washington
Territory. recognizing the full signifi
canoe of the situation, swung into line
with the women, and by their able as
sistance in organizing and
DIRECTING THE MOVEMENT.
fixed themselves solid" with the els-
ment, which they were far-seeing enough
to know was to DO practically the con-
the initiative, called a "law and order
oop fiou adnnfad a nj q form Of nnpn-
sition to the liquor traffic and in favor
of rigid enforcement OF the Sunday
laws.
An organization called the Business
Mems Association" was formed, consist
eng largely Of saloon mon, but number
ing also fair shale Of merchants and
professional men Of the city, who nOmi-
mated ticket ia opposition to the Law
and Order party. The result proved the
strength OF the new movement. The
| women developed as most active and en-
terprising politicians. Ladies by the
score, Of the best social position, who
had never baen thought OF as advocates
Of "wOmen's rights" or female suffrage.
went into the fight with all the zeal of
new converts. The whole city was dis
tricted off, and committees of three
women given charge of each district to
carry on the work. Every house in town
was visited by these committees, and a
district or city was never more thorough
ly canvassed.
On election day The streets in the vi
cinity of the polls were thronged with
women, armed with bundles of tickets,
and to reach the polls enc had to
RUN THE GAUNTLET.
Of the most persistent crowd OF workers
ever seen around the polls. rhese were
ladies, women Of the highest social posi-
ton, women, many of them, heretofore
the most modest and retiring dsmeanor.
tt was q shock to our prsjudicss, but we
have got used to 1t since. But the women
won. They elected the majority of the
city council and all Of the city officers
except mayor. AS result we have a
new police force. gambling completely
abolished as far as banking games are
concern ed, and every business house Of
every kind closed on Sunday.
They next bent their energies to the
capture OF she Republican county con-
ventiOn. They had ensngh shrewd man
ipnlatOrs of long experience to instruct
them, and in quiet little caucus, tick
ct for delegates to the county conven-
tiOn, composed entirely OF their sympa-
thizers, was made up and distributed.
They came within an ace of capturing
the county convention, and developed
suca strength that they were given
three quarters OF the legislative ticket
and some Of the minor county Offices.
The nominees to all the county Offices
were of course men, except for school
superintendent, which position was Civ
en- to lady. The two ex-Chief Justices
referred to above were provided for, one
receiving the nomination for council
man and the other for representative.
while prominent member of the Law
and Order party was also given a place
on the legislative ticket.
The women and their sympathizors in
the campaign now formed themselves
into an equal rights association, with
very large membership, and, after the
Democratic convention adjourned, pro-
eeeded to
SELECT AND INDoRsE A TICKET
from the two in the field. They Endorsed
Voorhees,, the Democratic nomlnee for
Congress; three Of the Republican nom
insss for the Legislature and one Demo-
erat; the Democratic candidate for pros
eauting attorney, and for the rest OF the
ticket the Republican nominees. The
same work was dene as in the city elee-
ton, but with more enthusiasm and with
the added knowledge acquired by expe
riencs. The canvass was complete and
brought out their full strength.
Again they scored glorious victory.
Every candidate they Endorsed, Demo
cratic or Republican, was elected, and
by majoritiss ranging from $500 down
to 800, the highest figure being the ma
jority in this county Of the Democratic
nominee for Congress, and the lowest
that of the Republican candidate for
Auditor. As the returns were being
counted, 1t was evident that things were
decidedly mixed. and when the result