The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-18
SIX WOMEN IN OFFICE.
THE REMARKABLY GOVERNMENT OF
osKALoosA, KAs.
The Mayor and All the Councilmen Are
of the Feminine Gender-What Is
More, Majority OF Thorn Are Demo-
Gratis.

From tho Chicago Tribune
oskalocsa, Kas., the only city in the
world with q female mayor and a NUM-
cipal assembly composed exclusively OF
women, is the county seat OF Jefferson
county, Kas, and one of the Oldest towns
in the State. II boasts Of 1000 inhabitants,
graded schools, three banks, every branch
of trade represented, two railroads, church
denominations from the Hard Shell Bap-
tist to the Methodists, whose grand old
hymns mingle with the prayers and chants
at the Episcopal chapel next door Ihat
is the kind of community osknloosa is,
and this ia how she happened to have a
city government OF women:
II is the same old story of men being
elected TO office on promises which were
never fulfilled, or intended to be- Once
safe in Office the men forgot that sidewalks
wear out, that gas Is a substitute for coal
oil, and that macadam is better than mud.
The natural decay went on and men who
could moi beat the machine politicians for
the council placed the responsibilities upon
the women, and upon election day, by
and with the aid Of the latter, presented
the following ticket;
osRALoosA IMPROVEMENT TICKET.
For mayor, Mrs NJ. d. Iowman; iorcity
council, Mrs. II. A. Morse, Mrs Emma
Hamilton, Mrs. Caddic johnson, Mrs. ,.
+. T.. Baisley, Mn. Mittic Golden; for
police Judge, W. A. Hamilton.
When the polls closed the ticket had
I.... t.tup.shutaltt aIn.fa1 and NJ mint
the friends OF the yictors carried on Just as
II the ticket was composed Of men. There
were cheers and greetings; tho band played
from house 10 house Of the successful
candidates. and the enthusiasm was carried
far into the night. But II was harmless
enthusiasm, and the morning did not find
the candidates or their friends hunting the
watcr.pitchcr, or having their heads band
aged with wet towels,
IL is an experiment that will be looked
forward 10 with interest The women
fully appreciate their positions, aud no
doubt All matters will bo fully considered
before action be taken. They will have
the appointment Of n clerk treasurer,
street commissioner and city marshal.
The New York Worlds correspondent
gives the following report Of the election:
"1he ticket was put in the field Just day
before the election, and the name al one
Of the candidates was put ON the morning
of the election, one OF the original nomi-
Noes retiring on the ground that her hus-
hand did not intend TO bo pcrpctually
attending 10 the baby and taking his
meals at the hotel while she was
attending council meetings. The nomi-
nations were not made by political
caucus or primary DIR. Balslcy, Rcpub-
lican, prepared the ticket and circulated
IL among The business men, who heartily
supported il forihc reason that they wanted
s0mo needed improvements which the
previous administration had failed 10 at
lend 10. AZ first the ladies' refused e. run
for Office, hut considerable persuasion on
the partolthcir husbands finally prevailed. |
last spring the ladies placed IN the field |
tickle, bearing precisely the same title M
that which won at the recent election.
They went 90 the polls In buggics, but
their ticket was defeated. II was com
posed entirely oi men, and the men nj the
recent election reciprocaicd the compli-
mont by nominating aud elccting ticket
composed entirely 81 women. The people
scarcely expected the ticket 10 win. Many
laughed az the thought, but voted for Il
nevertheless saving that they only in
tended 10 further carry out the joke Early
election day the young men Of the town
held ameetng, which was lightly attended,
and decided 10 put young women's
tickle, In the field. Their platform was
inscribed above the ticket M follows
"Young women for Office new ideas, new
i~ues and new notions" This was made
up Of number OF unmarried women, but
was suppressed before II was out In the
field. When the returns were all In and
a. -. Al
women's ticket had been elected. II was
not known until couple Of days after
that the council hal a
DEMOCRATIC NAioRIrY,
fr 0skaloosa Is strongly Republican.
Among those WHO werc surprised none
weru more 20 than DR.. Balsley, who pre-
pared the ticket. lie n n slanch Repub
lican. but found after the election tina
Mrs. Balsley had placed herself on ih'
Democratic side. Mrs. llalflcy said shl
lust because her husband was Republic
au. Not n single one OF al the lady OH
clals was VAIN enough % boast photo
gaph Of herself, and a. the town had M
regular gallery u became necessary for NJ
eastern paper 10 import photographer 4
secure likcnCsses oi tho now iamou
women. OF the new officers, Mr. Baluley
Mrs. johnson, Mrs. Golden and Mn
Moore are all enthusiastic supporters Z
Cleveland, while the nov mayor favor
Lincoln for the Republican candidate, bu
sho docs not like ingalls,, because Q
his position ON the woman suffrage qucs
ton. Tho town over which these ladic
have been chosen lies high upon a hi
somewhat more than q mile lrom IA
Kansas City, Wyandotte & Northwestern
depot Il Is built solidly about the cour
house square AMI has population OF ,OO
people"
The Cincinnati E,.quircr's correspondent
interviewed the successiul candidates. AN
wrote 10 follows TO his paper
TuE LADIES iNrrRyirwEn.
Mayor Mary n. Lowman Emilingly al
she was iorty-ninc years old, aud vi
mother ~ twenty-five year old son AZ
nm cightccn.ycar-old daughter The may,
lisa pleasant-faccd woman. hut looks y,
straight In the face ifom a pair Of dccp.s
hazel eyes. While converting she talks
measured tones She eaid she was q wi
ing candidate. she believing that the 81
would only be improved When the pow
was placed In the hands OF the wome
She 4 q native Of Pennsylvania, a Prcsb
terrain by faith and Republican In polite
khe has been a resident Of Oskaloosa 4
eighteen years, part OF which time N
taught school. The last five years NJ
has spent M the deputy register OF deed
Mn. Hannah r. Moore Is native
In1lend bat hnF lived Ia Oskaloosa