Edith Packard, X Class of 1897, Letter to her Father, October 27, 1895

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Edith Packard, X Class of 1897, Letter to her Father, October 27, 1895

The week before she would cast her vote in the mock election, Edith wrote to her father that students “are all up in arms just now over the question of woman’s suffrage.” She explains the occasion for the mock election by saying “there is to be a test vote in Massachusetts as to whether women want the ballot for municipal affairs,” although this vote was open to both men and women. Edith believes “the greater part of the girls are decidedly opposed to it” at Mount Holyoke. Omitting her own beliefs from the discussion, she asks her father, “you do not have any fierce and rabid opinions on the subject do you.”

Edith Packard

October 27, 1895

Paper, ink

English

Letter

case04_votes_007

We are all up in arms just now over the question of woman’s suffrage. You know there is to be a test vote in Massachusetts as to whether women want the ballot for municipal affairs and the day comes this fifth of November, so young [?] have reason to be interested. The various colleges are taking it up just to get the opinion. Wellesley has gone in favor of it. Smith also I think. We are having mass meetings right and left with speeches by the girls and general excitement. I think the greater part of the girls are decidedly opposed to it, practically at least. They may be in favor [genetically?]. Edith Ridman is leader of the opposition and is most decidedly and energetically against it. You do not have any fierce and rabid opinions on the subject do you? How compatible to have you for peacable [sic] and calm and yet [ ? ] all like the mighty [vote?] in firmness and thought. (Pages 2, 4)