Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-10-26
BIRTHDAY OF A NATION
Rejoicing In Norway When h. dependence Was Declared.
UNUSUAL ELECTION INCIDENTS

&wGfy b0aGr AccOmpAnAru tO TWAS
 by Women of His FaniIy-No Noise,
 Shouting or Discussion - Trolley
 Cars Covered With Flowers and
 Norwegian C0lors - Striking Out
 burst of Patriotism In a Thester.
 Margaret Haley, secretary of the Chi- cago Teachers federation, spent her summer vacation In Norway and Den mark. In the former corntsy she at- tended the election at which the Nor wegians voted on separation from Sweden and spoke with enthusiasm re- gently of the sight, says the New York Press. @
 q spent the election day going from one polling place to another in Chris tiania," said she. Everywhere the streets were full of people in holiday garb. Every voter was accompanied to the polls by the women of his family -often his mother, wife, daughter and sister. Women now vote for every thing except parliamentary officers in Norway, and l heard many regrets ex- pressed by men that the women could not vote on this question, so as to roll up q bigger majority for independence.
 There was no noise, shouting or dis cussion. Every man seemed to know just how he wss going to vote. an neither sought to influence his neighbo. nor to try to find out his choice of bal lot. B..
 "Men wore paper caps on which was painted in big letters. 'Ja' CYesO, and below, 'vielsker dette lander eve love this landD. Trolley cars were covered with flowers and the Norwegian colors red. white and blue-and bore pla- cards with the great Ja' Men. women and children wore long streamers of the red, white and blue. But, aside from the colors. flowers. holiday garb and general appearance of joyousness, there was no demonstration as we un- derstand 1t; no 1recrackers. no ear splitting noises or speech making. A military band played national airs in the great public square all day.
 -After watching the voters for hours, I was impressed both by their intelli- Eence and theS patriotism All the wealthy people who were out of town for the summer had returned to vote. and richly dressed women accompa- nied their men to the polls like their poorer sisters. I never saw such a sight at an American election. I saw one little incident which illustrates the remarkable democracy of Norway. the consideration for the poor and the weak. Two university professors came up to vote. They passed the long line of voters and marched up to the clerks. A soldier stationed there coolly ordered them back to the end of the line to wait their turn Soon after a very old man, poorly dressed and wearing Sal vation Army badge came up and took his place at the end of the line A man escorted him up front. and the guard. in consideration of hls age. permitted him to vote at once.
 That night we went to the National theater to see the national play. 'Josa. Iefer.' written by Biornsen- I shall never forget tse scene at the close. The patriotic feelings of the people had ben aroused by the pIsy. which is q glorious one As the curtnin went down the entire audience stood lo sl5 sang the national hymn. the ssoasstra playing. Then Biornssn. the msnsEeE of the theatsr and son of 'he asthc<, rose in bis OoK and anncuDced that Norway he'd voted 10 EsDurste from Sweden hv g4 .sSo syss to s3 noes oue mighty shout ailed the theats-. Ths long. silent self control os the day -a- broken The people shook hands a7d waved fhsir ksts and ha1dkeTcLls-z Women burst into tssrs of ereitsElz. and isy. and 1 even saw men vitl tears running down their faces shzl never ferset shis birthday Of a ra ffrnH