Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1916-12-14
Election Day At Bolivar And Harper's
Ferry.
Scottish Castle.
Bolivar, w. Va.

DCdI NllSS LuCdS -
have been hoping 10 see you and tell
you about our wonderful experiences Of
election day, but opportunity has not
presented and shall write you instead,
for | feel you will hear of if with interest.
You know we entered upon the cam
paign with no little tinidity-really,
teel we were quite faint hearts" until
the campaign was we'll upon us-but we
learned the initial step was the only hard
one Except one OF which shall tell you
later, and then we worked enlivened
with the sense OF the justice OF our cause
and faith that right would prevail if we
only got behind il TO see that ii did
But we were astonished at the favorable
change of sentiment among our Citizens
that had come about in the last two years.
Instead of scattering few, strong half
and more OF our population were in favor
of woman suffrage, as the majority vote
proved.
Our men and women did lay aside pre-
iudice, were eager 10 inform themselves
and stopped TO think; and when this
was done you know the suffrage cause
had TO win. Give ii momentum aud it
has to go there is no stopping il now.
Defeat in our State has checked us for
time, but equal rights will come.
But if we entered upon the campaign
in the beginning with timidity, how do
you think we felt when we received the
instructions 10 the effect that we were 10
present in person a certain card at the
polls ?
That was the other hard thing 10 which
| referred, and which we thought we
could not do, so we forthwith mailed
these cards two days before the election
TO the complete polling list-with some
enclosures OF suffrage literature because
if people think, they are with us; but if
we do not furnish food for thought, how
can they best think? So literature and
all went along.)
But, "says to myselP'-in the Ian
guage of the old lady-if the women OF
church were 10 give supper TO buy a
church carpet something they very much
wanted) they would have TO be on hand
at the supper. II it were said the women
would stay at home and the men would
find the supper on the table, would the
supper be success ?
There could be no live interest that
way; niceties Of service would be lack
ing, personal attention wanting, poor at
tendance, poor receipts the reSult-and,
alas, poor carpet.
If we want patronage, be at the church
parlors; if we want the vote, show our
desire for it by our interest in election
and let our presence be reminder TO
"place the X in favor ofthe amendment" "
Thinking on these lines, a committee
meeting was called-we had more cards
printed and we were on hand at both
Harper's Ferry and Bolivar precincts a
little before sunrise, when the polls should
open according 10 statute.
Mr.. Hallam had arrived from the west
that atmorning at $50, and after serving him
tempting and delicious breakfast we
stalled for the polls. II was very in
spiriting, that drive. My daughter and |
1--WE both hope TO vote when she is OF
age) were filled with enthusiasm and felt
the importance OF casting the ballot al
most as much as Mr.. Hallam. Our spirits
were high, our colors waved from the
carriage IN the crisp morning air; and The
red, white and blue OF our waving flags
and orange trimmings were the colors
that only little later gloried the sky.
We stopped our carriage well without
the sixty-toot limit, and each with bas-
ket, one of cards ofremnder TO the voter,
and the other OF fresh, dewy chysan-
themums and marigolds. two ladies' met
each voter as he came toward the polls,
asking consideration OF the first and to
wear our colors of the day.
II was almost like areception--the gen.
tlemen were so courteous, and when
some one remarked this they said, "How
could il be otherwise when the ladies are
so gracious ?" Be that as il may, moth
ing happened from sunrise 10 sunset.
when we left The voting place, TO jar the
feelings OF the most sensitive, ard instead
Of feeling out OF place il seemed the most
natural thing TO be there. Not only was
there no rudeness TO US, but none among
the men, no noisy augmentation or even
one boisterous sound from anywhere
around-it was earnestness, good humor,
good feeling everywhere.
rhe members of the committee at the
polls were most ably assisted by many
OF their friends and co-workers who call
ed throughout the day where they were
stationed just outside the sacred pre-
cincts.
! am sure you will be interested in
some of the incidents of the day, few
OF which shall give you.
The first gentleman who registered his
vote said as he returned, 81 did not wear
the flower but voted for you | made
up my mind TO do so after leaving you
AMI before casting my ballot. Women
that think enough about il ~ be here be-
fore am deserve recognition they help
ed in everything else and they will here"
Soon another came along and said. 81
have never worn flower in my life, but
| shall do so with pleasure. for | have
been waiting for this year for twenty
years u
Another said, whaye come from Wash
ington TO vote for you AMI have brought
my two sons to do the same"
Still another said, "Of course am for