The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1895-03-13
WOMAN SUFFRAGE
In school Aiiairs.- Directions in Regard to
Marking Your Ballot.


naturalized in the United States, twenty
one years OF age and upward, residents
Of Ohio one year. of the county thirty
davs. and of the town or township or
election district twenty days preceding
the election FOR the purpose of choosing
any school director, member OF the
board of education OF school council. un-
der the general or special laws OF the
state, is entitled to vote and be voted for
at such election for any such officer or
officers, Registration is necessary only
for those residing in cities.
In each voting precinct there Will be
a separate ballot box for the reception
of the ballots of all electors, whether
men or women, voting for school
officers. Separate ballots containing the
names of all the candidates nominated
for such offices may be procured from the
precinct officers. Enter the polling
place and give your name to the election
officer, who will hand you ballot. You
will then enter the guard rail and go,
alone to one Of the voting shelves, for the
purpose of marking the ballot. Under
the Australian system the voters choice
is expressed by making cross mark Xxi
with black lead pencil in the blank
space at the left of the name of the per
son for whom the electOr desires TO vote
In case there are two directors or mem-
bers of the school board to elect, a mark
must be made to the left of each candl-
late desired When the ballot has been
marked it should he folded so as 10 cOn-
zeal the marks. hut be so folded as to
show the endorsements and Facsimile
signatures on the back of the ballot. IL
should then be handed to the presiding
officer
The Ohio state school commissioner
sent a letter to each of many state super
intendents of schools asking whether
such a law was in existence and its
effect where it had been tried. Replies
came from thirty states. In Connecticut
woman must he able to read the English
language and be 1wenty-one or more, be-
fore she can vote for school interests. In
Illinois since 1913 women have been
eligible to school office. Indiana makes
no distinction of sex in school suffrage.
Iowa has for many years had county
superintendentS who were women. Kan
sas testities that her schools have been
made better since the mothers have had a
voice in the school interests. In Ken
tucky widows, mothers of school child
rem, or those women having ward OF
school age may vote for district trustees.
The state superintendent acknowledges
that the suffrage is 50 Limited that Its
effect has not yet been determined,
Louisiana allows women TO hold any
Office of control under The school laws,
nut they cannot vote for officers. They
have found women to be so ''scrupulous
and careful public servants" that it is
given as possible reasons that being
unused to administrative positions, they
fear the results of mismanagement, or
that unused to having the control OF
large sums of money, they attach a great
er value to it than men, or that moral
impulses impel them 10 watchfulness. -
lie says, 1T is certain that they perform
all duties conscientiOusly and zealOusly.
As membeis of the school boards, they
are always good economists, and see that
each expenditure is fully warranted by
the needs of the schools" Maine, Mass
achusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebras-
ka, New York, New Jersey, Oregon.
Pennsylvania, Vermont, Wisconsin and
Wyoming all have laws giving equal
suffrage in school matters"
The Massachusetts, secretary of the
board of education says: THE general
effect of the service of women on our
school boards has been excellent" and
adds that "thOse that vote are generally
strong and thoughtful characters from
the better classes" The state superin-
tendent of Michigan says:-No intelligent
man in Michigan, who has the best inter-
tsts of our schools at heart, and who has
had an opportunity to know of the work
ings of our school system has any desire
70 deprive women Of this right of school
suffrage. "In many localities, and in
many instances where women have taken
an active part their work and influence
have done much good" Minnesota has
about fifteen county superintendent
who are women. One lady holding that
Office for ten years. did not receive a
single adverse vote at her last reel 1ctiOn.
the superintendent Of that state also
mentions their good business qualitica-
tiOns and wholesome elevating influence
upon the schools. Nebraska finds their
work satisfactory as the work of men in
similar positions" New Jersey has
found women elected as school officers
capable and energetic" Pennsylvania
has now probably forty women serving
Is school directors, two county superin-
iendents and one borough superintend-
ent."
Wisconsin asserts that ''as rule" the
women have made efficient officers, and
the state and the school system have Ger.
iainly gained by the extension Of thest
privileges to women
Mr. Gropshpck chief inSticp Of thu