New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-10-28
. THE ELECTION IN EDGERTON.

At no place in the country, perhaps, will the
coming election be contested with more yigOr
than at Edgerton, Kansas. The reader may prob
ably remember that Edgerton was one OF the towns
which q year ago elected full set OF women
officers Also, we trust, he remembers that these
officers resigned in body last May, common men
being chosen in their places at special election
Edgerton has accordingly during the last year had
ak months of female rule and six months OF male
rule Two tickets are now In the field, one con-
ssting exclusively Of the women that were elected
year ago, and the other Of the men at present.
in power through the resignation OF the women
Each side having had thorough trial, it will be
interesting to note the decision of the people.
At the time Of the female resignation Inst May
The Tribune published q careful account OF the
occurrence The trouble came about chiefly
through the refusal Of the women to repair the
sidewalks. These were in the usual condition OF
plank walks, and while they could be used In the
daytime with fair degree Of safety they were
extremely dangerous in the night, especially IL
man wcre-that Is to say. the sidewalks Of Edger-
ton were dangerous In the night. The men de-
handed that they be repaired. The women ofi-
GERS refused on the ground that they were good
enough in the day time and that If O man came
home after dark 1t Was only good enough for
him II ne Qlu I'LL uOWu duu DlCdh O hhi" VA
two. Husbands of several of the officers fell and
hurt themselves at various times, but still
the women refused to relent. Indeed, the more
their husbands fell the frmer they became, and
the only one of the officers that came to be in
favor of repairs through an accident was Alderman
Bodgett, of the Third Ward, an unmarried lady
who after the young man to whom she was en-
gagged fell and broke his colar-bone. came out
for better walks. Mr.. Starr, husband Of City
Treasurer Starr, and Mr. Belknap. husband Of
Chief Of Police Bellsnap, were both dangerously
Injured while coming home from sitting up with
sick friends. Many others were hurt. Finally
Mr. Seeley, husband Of Commissioner Of Public
Works Seeley and himself president OF the Ed
gerton Prohibition Club, had his right leg broken
Just below the knee at o'clock a. m, while
also returning from the bedside Of friend that
was not expected to live While attempting to
dodge large dog with green eyes which was
after him. the worthy president fell through a
hole In o cross-walk' This made so much scam
dal that the women resigned their offices dis
gusted.
At the special election held ticket Of the
| opposite sex was elected, many OF the names on
It being those of the husbands Of the recent
officials Three or four Of them used crutches.
New sidewalks were Immediately laid all over
measures. 1t scarcely seems possible, but it is a
fact that they passed an ordinance absolutely pro-
hibitng the sale of face powder In the city. Pro-
tests from the women were in vain. They only
called forth another law making 1t q misdemeanor
for any woman to talk over the back fence with
any other woman for above one hour at a time.
Not content with this, they prohibited any
woman having baby from leaving the same
for more than two hours at a time. During the
summer they amused themselves by stopping the
sale of gum and soda-water, closing up the ice
cream saloons and lowering the beer license. A
| month ago the women issued an address, in which
they pointed with pride to their own administra-
| ton and viewed with alarm that Of the men.
| They also announced that they would put their
old ticket again in the field. The men replied in
| similar terms and renominated every man now in
! Office. The contest promises to be warm one.
| Meetings are being held nightly by both sides
| and already six women have been fined for leav-
| ing their babies over two hours at one time. The
student of American politics will watch the re-
| suit with great interest