e.
She was a loyal American citizen, had just conducted a political
campaign, was thoroughly conversant with the issues and vitally
interested in the results of the election, and certainly competent to
vote. She summoned her three faithful sisters and going to the registry
office of the Eighth ward (in a barber's shop) they asked to be
registered. There was some hesitation, but Miss Anthony read the
Fourteenth Amendment and the article in the State constitution in
regard to taking the oath, which made no sex-qualification, and at
length their names were duly entered by the inspectors, Beverly W.
Jones and Edwin F. Marsh, Republicans; William B. Hall, Democrat,
objecting. Miss Anthony then called upon several other women in her
ward, urging them to follow her example, and in all fifteen registered.
The evening papers noted this fact and the next day enough women in
other wards followed their example to bring the number up to fifty.

The Rochester Express and the Democrat and Chronicle (Republican) noted
the circumstance, expressing no opinion, but the Union and Advertiser
(Democratic) denounced the proceeding and declared that "if the votes
of these women were received the inspectors should be prosecuted to the
full extent of the law." This attack was kept up till the day of
election, November 5, with the result of so terrorizing the inspectors
that all refused to accept the votes of the women who had registered
except those in the Eighth ward where the ballots of the fifteen[65]
were received.

In a letter to Mrs. Stanton, Miss Anthony says: "Well, I have been and
gone and done it, positively voted this morning at 7 o'clock, and swore
my vote in at that. Not a jeer, not a rude word, not a disrespectful
look has met one woman. Now if all our suffrage women would work to
this end of enforcing the constitutional supremacy of National over
State law, what strides we might make from now on; but oh, I'm so
tired! I've been on the go constantly for five days, but to good
purpose, so all right. I hope you too voted."

The news of the acceptance of these votes was sent by the Associated
Press to all parts of the country and created great interest and
excitement. There was scarcely a newspaper in the United States which
did not contain from one to a dozen editorial comments. Some of these
were flippant or abusive, most of them non-committal but respectful,
and many earnest, dignified and commendatory;[66] a few, notably the
N