New-York tribune., 1918-02-23
Husband Accompanies Her

Tho first woman to enter her name
on the books Of the Dist Congressional
District was an instructor at Barnard
College. Mrs. fstellc II. Colt, who made
her way into the barber shop at 3,l55
broadway as soon as the polls were
open at 5 O'Clock. She was escorted by
her husband.
After that there was quite little
furry Of business. and eight registra-
tions were made in the first hour.
Miss Adclinc Sterling. secretary Of
>thc Woman Suffrage party, was eighth
on the list. She bears the distinction
OF having got ahead Of Boss Mary
Garrett Hay in this first election. for
Miss Hay lives in q district where
there IS no election and therefore cam
not vote.
In spite Of the fact that Miss Hay
has issued proclamation after procla-
nation asking the suifrasists to remain
non-partisan for q year, MISS StcrlinG
is a staunch Democrat, and makes no
secret of her glce at having this early
and unexpected opportunity 10 cast a
vote under the star.
Tn, 18th Election District OF the 10y"
Assembly District likewise hopes TO be
famous on account of having the tlrs.
woman election inspector ON the JOB
to-day. One OF the four regular inspoc-
tors is unable TO be present, and tn"
chief inspector announced last night
that he would swear in woman to-
dav lie refused TO tell VINO she was
"A good smart woman who knows tne
women folks around here he said.
ought to be very helpful. We don't
jnow these women. and whcu it comes
TO asking them how old they are-say.
IN lcnyo that TO some one bravcr than
Women State Their Ages
The law provides that an clector
must state "hi5 age This provides a
technicality on which women may hang
a culbble. If they wish. The inspectors
in several registration places. however,
said last night that there had been no
hesitation ON the part OF women to
state their ages III years.
One woman there was who hadn't q
chance to get away with any camou-
hace about her age. even had she so
desired. This was Mrs. Mary a. Dcmp-
sew. who registered at 532 West l2bth
Street, and boastcd of being only thirty
years old.
That's the truth, too" the inspcctor
ctrlnncd, cher husband is Tammany Hall
captain OF tho district, and he was
standing right alongside Of hcr when
she wrote it down.
The leader Of Tammany Hall could
ret his own wife out to vote, but he
met his match in the little black eyed
woman who was pressing pants IN the
back room of the tailor shop
NO vote. No polite she smiled,
shaking her head. When the reporters
and photographers piled out OF their
automobiles and invaded her sanctum
she was even surcr that she had no use
for "the polite" Mr.. Dempsey gave 4
up as bad Job finally.
The negro vote in IIarlem's own
Dixie, the region around 10th Street,
would be more than double II the
women came out to vote. but they did
not seem to be in any hurry last night.
The Republican district leader OF the
18th Election District, Walter Will
Jams, confessed that he couldn't get
even his own wife ont to reelster%
"She won't conc no way he grinncd.
II can't drag tho Woman out to vote.
can ~
The fact that there is a negro the
Rev Ecverdy Ransom, running on an
independent ticket for Congress from
this district is expected TO bring out
an unusually big vote.
The beginning OF the Jewish holiday
1T sundown last night was partly re-
sponsible for the light registration OF
women in many parts OF the city.
In the Sth Congressional District,
which includes Conoy Island and Bath
Beach there was an average OF twenty
women registrants in each election dis
trict The first TO. register at 69l )
mother Of soldier at Camp Jackson,
in Columbia. S. {. She said she
thought it was her duty TO help keep
up the government at home while her
son was helping TO keep up democracy
for the world