New-York tribune., 1909-11-03
FAIR SEX ON GUARD
FIRST U'Omen Watchers an
Cify's History.

The first women watchers in the history
of New York politics made their debut NJ
yesterdays election. and were received with
varying degrees of enthusiasm. Mrs AL
bs-ta Hill looked out for the interests OF
the Civic Alliance in an ice cream parlor
liz Cherry street. This part OF the city is
popularity called The Hook and the nice
ties of life are not supposed 70 flourish
there, but the Knights OF the Round Table
could not have been more gallant than We're
the election board-Ben JaTnin MaIliser
chairman. and the male watchers-to the
feminine Intruder. Even the yellow votes
for women sash which she wore-very oe-
comingiy-across her black bodice did not
frighten them.
They adopted her as their mother. pro-
vided coffee and sandwiches for her at
luncheon time and told the reporters that
she was the most useful person about the
place. Mrs. Hill declared that she was hav-
ing lovely time. and appeared 10 be quite
undisturbed by polling booth amenities
which were by no means lacking Mrs. Hill
was a voter In Australia, and therefore
took to her duties more naturally than
some of the other women watchers.
Mrs. L. E Oppenhelm. also accredited by
the Civic Alliance. was sitting IN the win
dow OF little tailor shop at No. WiIlett
street when the Iimelight OF the press was
turned upon her, and appeared 20 be quite
comfortable and happy. Every one had
been lovely to her. she said and she was
having a delightful time.
Miss Bertha Kembaugh and Miss Helen
Peter. watchers for the ProhibItioaists
IN a little shop where ice cream and
cigars are dispensed at No. Al Grand
street, had n somewhat different expert
ence. They came in with an air Of being
on the defensive, and the Tammany cap
tain, William J. Gallagher. Immediately
began to quote the law and the prophets
on the su5jsct. But the women produced
their credentials. and there was nothing
to do but let them stay. To make them
welcome was another matter. however. and
the atmosphere was that OF a refrigerator
all day. The women were obviously IN
comfortable. AMI when cameras began to
be levelIed upon them they fed To the
remotest part OF the booth and hid behind
crowd of men watchers When they
thought that the danger was past they
returned to their places. and then all of a
sudden the crowd of men surrounding them
parted as IL by accident and they were
snapped
made common cause with the intruders
They looked over the Republicans card
index Of voters together and Miss Rem
baugh called attention TO things that might
have escaped the attention OF her COM
panion. At this the ire OF the Tammany
element broke forth afresh This wasn't
a proper thing for women 70 do. one OF
the watchers opined and he had his opin-
ion of women who did IT, They didn't
know anything more about voting than
the man ia the moon. and II he had mis-
way every one who wanted TO be a watch
er would have to pass an examination
What do they want TO come and make
trouble for. anyway he finished IN q
burst Of wrath. I'VE take it for granted
that every man who comes to cast his
vote is honest
rs that your understanding Of the cleo
ton law asked Miss Renbaugh. sar-
casticaIly, and the Tammany man vouch-
safed reply.
He wasn't aware that he was talking
for publication. and when ne got an op-
/ portunity to express himself officially ne
/ said that 1T was always q good thing 10
have ladies around. His name he re-
fused 10 divulEe-
/ Mrs Harriet Stanton Blatch, president OF
/ the League OF eIf-Supporting Women.
ment was 4 watcher for the Prohibition
lists in a boot backing establishment at
No. o54 West 92d street, and Miss Eliza
/ beth Cook represented the fusion ticket IN
the TenderIoin.