The Washington herald., 1914-08-02

where their characteristic modesty and
self-respect might be wounded" He also
said, although in those times the right
OF women to vote was claimed and eXer-
cised II was never in accord with public
sentiment: nor did women as a rule
20 to the polls" In l795 il was said
as the constitution now IL, all inhabi-
thnts Of the State. who are worth fifty
pounds. and who have resided in the
county one year may vote for State and
county representatives: within this de-
scription may fall: first, all men bond
or free, white or black, or other COM
pleXion. who are natives Of this State.
Second, all unmarried women. natives
Of this State. II was objected that this
either directly admitted or left doubtful
the right OF women to vote at elections
In 1871 an act was passed by the State
legislature which read. That every
voter shall openly and in full view de-
liver his or her ballot" Thus again was
given women the right to vote. but with
property qualifications. Griffith in his
"Eumenes' strongly expressed himself
about that time when he said that
women generally are neither by nature
nor habit. nor education. nor nv their
necessary condition in society. fitted to
perform this duty Cvoting) with credit
to themselves or advantage to the pub
lie" Later he writes: 1T IL perfectly
disgusting to witness the manner in
which women are polled at our elections
Nothing can be a greater mockery of
this invaluable and sacred right than
to suffer It to be exercised by persons
who do not even pretend TO any judg-
ment on the subject"
In 1900 the women of New Jersey be-
gan voting more generally. and this fact
was used as an argument that women
could hold once; serve in the Diplomatic
Corps etc.
Big Election Frauds.
In 1905 the House Of ssembly passed a |
bill entitled. AN act directing the mods |
for choosing a place in the County OF |
Essex at which to build courthouse |
and gaol." Excitement ran high between |
the towns of Newark and EliZabethtown |
as to which should have the courthouse.
Everybody was enlisted for the war.
School children for days before the vot-
ing day did little but write election
tickets. printed ones not being used in
tn Sc DAYS. Excitement ran high on
election day Voting in the morning was
fairly conducted. hut in the afternoon
there was a change. Illegal voting be-
gan at DAYS Hill for Newark. The next
day was for EliZabethtown. and a per-
feet avalanche OF fraud began. The
women We'd with the men. and In man.
cases outdid them In stuffing the ballot
boxes Two young women of Newark
that each one had voted
six times. Although only single women
had the right to vote, married women
voted too. as did negro women and boys
dressed in women's clothes.
So great was the fraud that the cleo
ton was declared void, and another or
1ered to be held. After that women were
barred from voting, and only men re-
tained the franchise. The following was
the preamble to the act: whereas. IT is
highly necessary to the safety. quiet
good order. and dignity Of the State TO
clear up the said doubts by an act of
-atory OF the true sense and meaning OF
he constitution. and to insure its just
execution in these particulars according
70 the intent of the trainers thereof"
From that time the franchise was given
% male free men. and women were not
allowed to vote. This act was by the
assembly. In 1874. when the new con-
was made. the word male"
vas inserted. During the framing OF
hat constitution Mr.. Ten Eyck presented
petition asking that the right Of suf-
rage be extended to women. which was
cad, and on motion Of Mr.. Mickle. or
lered that the same do lie on the table"
about 1900 Grifiith. Of "Eumenes" fame,
strongly expressed himself when he
wrote she (woman) is neither hysteri-l
al nor morbid, nor given to sex prob
ems. but has genuine hearty affections
and marriages of the day were the
esult of normal love-making."
The sum and substance of the matter
yas that a woman's place was at home, +:
nd a mans place in attending his COM
nsrcial or political anairs.