The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1920-09-02
MANCHESTER WOMEN CAN VOTE

Board of Civil Authority win Hold
J Special Meeting Later on TO Make
{ i Easier for the Women 90 Qualify
as Voters. Get Your Names on the
Check List and Take the Freeman's
Oath.
Montpelier, August p THE women
I lof Vermont can vote at The state pri-
maries September Ia when candi-
date for governor and other state
officers will be nominated and at the
general election in November by get
ting their names on the check lists
and without the payment Of a poll or
any other kind Of tax, declares At
toney- General Frank G. Archibald.
The attorney general says that the
proclamation Of the equal suffrage
amendment To the United States Con-
stitution by Secretary Of State Colby
automatically makes women voters
and declares that no additional legis-
lation is needed in Vermont to make
! It possible for the new voters 10
assume their newly granted right
Mr.. Archibald continued that there
was no longer any distinction between
men and women So far as political
rights are concerned and that the
Constitution being the supreme law Of
the land, all state statutes which are
based on such a distinction are swept
aside and men and women stand on an
absolute equality. What the statutes
require of men in the way Of quali6
cation is now required Of women. no
more and no less.
Secretary of State Harry Black. on
whom falls the duty under the law Of
preparing and providing the ballots to
be used on primary day, says that a
sufficient number of extra ballots to
meet the new situation are now being
printed
In order to clear up any confusion
which may exist Secretary Black viii
on Wednesday send out letter to the
town and city clerks, setting forth the
new conditions and calling their at
tention to the fact that women are
now voters and can get their names
placed on the check list
Secretary Black said that women
have only to present themselves be-
fore boards Of civil authority at their
meetings and, being qualified by
American citizenship, age and length
Of residence. have themselves enrolled
as voters exactly as men.
The attorney-genera makes il very
plain that no tax qualification is
There has been come CON
fusion on this point, because women
(as have men) have been required to
pay poll tax in order to qualify as
voters in town and city meetings, the
extent TO which women suffrage has
been granted in Vermont up until this
lime.
But there is no tax qualification for
men in state primaries or general
elections and there can be none for
women. The attorney general says
hat no woman can be denied her right
o get on the check list on the ground
hat she has not paid a tax or pre-
'iously expressed her intention TO
'ote.
The amendment 10 the Constitution
rings about an entirely new situation.
woman does not have to pay a tax
either does she, in enrolling herself,
make herself liable to pay a tax.
Attorney General Archibald was
sked il he intended TO inform town
nd city clerks and boards Of civil
uthority on the new conditions. He
nswered that he had no authority to
o so, that the officials in charge OF
laking up a check list are supposed
D keep themselves informed on such
iatters, and he thought that so big
hing as amending the federal Consti-
ltion could not escape their attention.
He said that the boards Of civil au-
lority are required 20 bold meetings
,r the revision Of check lists previous
the primaries and elections and that
,ey are supposed TO give proper
Dtice Of their meetings. The final
eeting is generally held on Saturday
revious to the election or primary.
: said. The women are supposed TO
aep track Of these announcements
1d present themselves FOR enroll
ent II they wish 70 vote
The list Of men voters is now cup
Dsed 10 Be posted in town and city
erks Offices. Women have a right TO
4 their names on that list Y they
= AZ least p years of age have liv-
in this state a. least 9 year before
sptember ls, and are American eiti-
~ Like men. they hase 3 take TIE
recman's Oath
60. - 49,.