.of them unacquainted with your institutions, your histor\', with 

 E.epublican Government. Where can you look for support in 

 that practice of stern econoni}-, that thoughtful, considerate man- 

 agement of Municipal affairs that has ever been the glory and 

 credit of the New England town meeting except in the votes of 

 your wives and daughters. Try them. You have found their 

 counsels valuable in the family, the School and the Church, why 

 not in the towns. Do you sa}-, "The women know^ nothing of 

 politics or town business. " The ballot box is the great educator 

 of the voter. Responsibility begets ability. Have 3'ou never 

 seen a feeble, seemingly mindless wife, suddenly left a widow 

 and noticed how she has risen to the occasion, sagacious, wise? 

 Give the women the ballot in the town meetings and they will 

 :SOon learn all that it is needful to learn of town affairs, all that 

 is worth knowing of politics. 



Women, your votes wall drop in the common ballot box with 

 the men's' Your ' ' yes " or " no " ma}^ be drowned as it were in 

 the common ballot. It would seem to have been simple justice 

 to submit this question to the women alone, but the men, the 

 Legislators, who alwa3^s deal so justl}^ with their sisters, have 

 framed this law. 



W^omen, do not let this deter you from voting. Your wishes 

 will be known just in proportion to the numbers who vote. 

 Every woman, twenty -one 3'ears of age, who can read and write, 

 who has resided in the Commonwealth a j^ear and in the town 

 where she offers to vote six months, and who is a citizen, is 

 qualified to vote. No prepayment of a tax is required, but you 

 must not only be qualified 5^ou must be registered. The second 

 Saturday before election will be the last day to register. Do not 

 fail to register and then vote or not as 5^ou will ; and vote ' ' yes ' ' 

 or "no" as you will. If you believe that all just government 

 derives its powers from the consent of the governed, if 3'ou be- 

 lieve that a taxpayer should have a voice in disposing of the tax 

 that is paid, if you believe that women should have the same 

 right to her earnings as a man, should have the same opportuni- 

 ties for employment as a maif, should have the right to dispose of 

 her property by deed or will as a man, that the mother should 

 have the same right to the control of her child as the father, then 

 you will stand erect and vote "3'es.'' But if you believe that 

 women are not as good as pardoned felons, that the}^ should be 

 classed with paupers, lunatics and idiots, then bow your head, 

 veil vour face and vote "no." 



