New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-10-16
WOMEN VOTERS IN CONNECTICUT.

TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Under the laws of Connecticut. IN" several
political parties prepare and distribute their own
ballots. When the bin protecting women in their
right to vote for all school officers and for all edu-
cational purposes passed both house Of our Lesis-
lature. ii recognized that women as we'll as
men held definite political views and. in the dis
cusson upon the bill. it also recognized that
the nth clauso-estabshing separate ballot-boy
for women voters at al! place. wnere elections were
held-did away with any necessity for the printing
of special ballots for their use. Therefore, women
who approve of the Republican candidates for
school officers will and vote the Republican
ballots Will. women indorsing Democratic. Popu-
list or Prohibition nominees VIII cast " ballots OF
their preference. on all such ballots. found IN the
separate ballot-boXes for women "nlk inc h"nrs
OF school officers will be counted. The ne" IL"
reads follows:
Section l. Every woman who shall have attained
the age Of twenty-One years. VINO snail be = cltHh
Of this State. or OF the United states. ara WI"
snail have resided State year. ana in the
town for six months and can read the English ian-
held for the purpose OF choosing any officer 81
schools or for any oduc9,pna purpose under inc
Sec ANY woman who is entitled 20 vote under
the first section Of this act may hc registered 10y thr
town clerk as II qiaEhel N"ter IN ,1"l OF s'i'"'I
district meetings. by making apiicauon 20 nm .on
clerk in each town to keep Registry ist 81 me
women entitled to vote in town or school district
register the names Of any women WI" may Apply
for registration for that purpose prGyaei tnh' a
~ him that they have the qualifications required
by this act. =,
before the town clerk shall testify falsely concein
ing her qualinca tons. shall knowingly vote NE
cally at any school. town. or district meeting Sia
be guilty Of "A misdcmcanor. and. upon CONVICTION
thereof shall be punished by a me o! my dollars
or imprisoned thirty days.
Sec 4 Whenever. in any school district registry
lists shall be used by those Young IN schoo az
rict meetings. it shall be the dntY Of the regis
are situated to prepare separate lists OF the nams
of those women residing in such school districts OF
the voting districts of any such school district
that have been registered by the town clerk uH1er
the provisions Of this act
Sec 3. At all elections 10 which the provisions
of Chapter CCXLNII of the public acts OF 1883
box distinctly marked "For Women's Eallots" and
All ballots OF persons permitted 10 vote under inc
provisions of this act snail be deposited In the box
labelled.
Nothing can be palmer than the wording OF this
law The Just men Of Legislature who voted
for it desired to fully protect the women OF their
state I'm the exercise Of these duties. They
indorsed by IA large majority, in both houses. that
nartjcular bill which made IL easiest for women TO
vote at such elections. Every woman citizen OF
Connecticut who reads this article should 20 as
soou as rossibe To the town clerk ana ask Tor
registration as "A qualified voter Ia town or school
district meetings. TO recognize THIS rlght, llnilrd
though il may be. as duty. is TO enter al once
into the spirit By which free governments uVe.
free from responsibility as regards the future ms
tory of our schools The best interests or education
demand that she shall avail herself oi the opIortu-
mites now her own. and add her direct innn"nc"
and moral force 10 secure the election OF proper
school officers Register and vote women OF con-
necticut. and urge every properly Phhin.u worm
S W,ion NJ ~ SARA WINTHROP SMITH
seymour Conn, September -, lSG.