New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-03
A WOMAN'S WORK FOR FUSION
MRS. MARY, L. HALL AND HER VOTING
SCHOOL

FORMER SLAVE. SHE Is THEORETICALLY con-
QUOTING A CAMPAIGN OF PRACTICAL Po-
LITIcAL EDUCATIoN-soME OF
HER PUPILS.
II can tell doubtful voter in minute" said
Mrs Mary l.. Hall. she sorted over pile of col
ored bunting in one corner OF her sItngroom. "IIe
comes in here and looks the ballot: i watch
his eyes as they travel the sheet and they al
ways rest on the name OF the candidate he favors
begin to talk to him then. and ask him why he
wants to vote for that man. In a good many cases
have won him over to my way of thinking before
he goes out"
II ia In an unpretentious basement room that this
unique figure In metropolitan politics carries on her
self-imposed duties. Fer more than two weeks now
this nublic- spirited colored woman has devoted her
time and energies by day and night. without price
or peroulstes to the work Of nstrrcting the ignor-
ant or Indifferent In the art OF voting.
..ye want TO learn how to mark the ballots" her
visors announce as they enter the room. ana In an
instant a sample ballot is spread out before then'
and the ms and outs Of the various tickets ana their
candidates are explained
.,Ia sure TO mark in the bulls eye under the
anglo g" Is the first admonltlon given by Mrs Hall.
unless TO use her own words the prospective voter
"a ..vvaverln' in his mind In that case the proper
yav 10 omit certain names on a ticker ana SUD
s;itute others is discussed at length AS cohspic-
,ous an instance OF Mrs Halls influence over an
individual who was 'waverin' In his nina wheh
he entered her door and went out provided with an
opinion was the case Of the trusted putier OF a
woman OF wealth and social eminence
"Archibald is very much IN favor of Tammany.
ord I want YOU to talk to him little Mrs. Hall.
and convert him TO your way OF thinking said
Archibald's mistress. who had come herself, with
her factotum in tow, to have his politics adjusted
.Vhat makes you want to vote for Tammany"
Mrs Hall inquired Of the stalwart black man. as
he shuf,led awkwardly before her. and forthwith,
as Archibald explained his reasons, the insructress
i'm Republican principles set forth in clear ana forc-
be words the why's and wherefores in the case. with
the result that Archibald went forth among men an
ardent supporter of the Grand Old Party.
II had gentleman drive up here the other DAY
In handsome Victoria with his coachman and
foo.nan in attendance" said Mrs. Hall. his
hands when he took off his nice kid gloves, were
as soft and white as any fine lady's in the land
".Tbe men In my district would guy me well II
they knew | had to appeal to school of voting
hecause I was ignorant about these things, he
said when he going out. and he said that !
was q sensible bright woman. and that he honored
me for it,"
Among the 1907 voters whom Mrs. Hall has in
structed since the initiation or her school, the
white men are much in excess OF the negroes Inc
negroes. taking them generally, are somewhat m
different at this crisis, according TO Mrs. Han,
hut the Germans Italians, Cubans and native-born
Americans have hocked to her standard. There are
five or SIX devoted coloreG women who assist 'heir
leader In her work from time to time Ihey are
all mlddle-aged working women, VINO nave 10 ihahe
personal sacrifices In order to do so.
Two such nice-lookng gentlemen came IN mere
the other day." said Mrs. Hall. father and son.
well-dressed honora bic looking gentleman. asked
them some questions, and then found out that
they were deaf and dumb.
eve want to earn how to poll and mark the
ballots one OF them wrote on a piece or paper
and then | wrote out my answer. l have not had
any education myself" Mrs. Hall admitted frankly,
land II isn't easy for to write. can read very
we'll hut writing is always a trouble TO me. HOW
ever i gave them full instructions. and they went
out well pleased with their visit There was WV
ing school right there at the cuD. WheIe 'iey
could have gone but they wrote down that they
FELT embarrassed about going there ana "ouiu
rather come TO me- because was "oN'"h anu
would take more pains with them.
your voting school was the first started WAS
IL not?" the leader was asked
YES the very first. Others have followed. but
7 CO, the ball rolling The first evening nuns
out my signs San and bap ,o make Of H. they had
never heard Of voting school before. oto
II have as many friends among me Delno. as
as among the Republicans" Mrs. Han went on.
Il find that If one wants to De wen UP o ses
subject they must read ana tax over I ~ me- than
to those on my side. because l want TO learn WHAT
they think and why. - 1,o,,o, holIo.a
II knew that as soon as these new blanket Da.'V!s
came ont Taulmany would be quick TO ihstruct us
peope in handling them. Tammany Was tea0ii iAs
all POSSIBLE supporters fully six weeks before re-
ton when the Australian ballots came out ina
il why Tammany has such an influence aIbuuu,
and why shouldn't the Republicans teach their own
peope and the people on the fence: DO oPe"'u
nv voting school. the first on record NJ, Hall
"Do YOU see this banner?' contlnued Mr.. Iai,,
po,nting TO the wall 1T says me Mary H. T n
trict' This club represents the hity-nve youns
men have organized. l shall march win WIN Az,
on Saturday night, and not alone with TINS a ~
I'VE but with hundreds of others who haVe COME
under this clubs influence. H. .os-
Mrs. Hall was once a slave in Georgia Her mas mas
ter was a lawyer and judge, from whose Ups she ~,
learned much that has stood her IN goou s.eau Ia
her later work In 1863 with seven other negroes.
She escaped from her old home, and after many
sdvoninres ioined Sherman In Atlanta. She was
Shot away the first finger OF her right hand ,
After / came here" she said. Il was interested
in politics but never took any active part untlI
iSss have never rested until ! got this young
mems club. and / intend always to do all can to
further good government | see through an II am
many's tricks and explain them the best can.
! can't speak nicely In public; get embarrassed;
but | can put things before people plainly ana
who we're sure they were right on the other TACK.
] read all the doings in Albany regularly, ana Keep
I'D with every new law that comes up or Is passed.
I never read anything but politics. because that is
the only department OF paper that interests IRE, me;
] can't do educational work In this line: the white
Republican women can do that but can do prac-
teal work pretty Well
Mrs Hall is a tall negress, of not over robust
physique. Her face betokens unusual inteiligence.
Her skin IS of bright copper color, and her ex-
preston Is earnest and thoughtful. She is gentle
In manner and OF good address.