As she is a taxpayer, of sound mind, and of legal age, I see no reason why she should not exercise this right of citizenship." The inspectors were thunderstruck.

I think they were afraid that I was about to capture the ballot box.

One placed his arms round it, with one hand close over the aperture where the ballots were slipped in, and said, with mingled surprise and pity, "Oh, no, madam! Men only are allowed to vote." I then explained to him that, in accordance with the Constitution of New Jersey, women had voted in New Jersey down to 1801, when they were forbidden the further exercise of the right by an arbitrary act of the legislature, and, by a recent amendment to the national Constitution, Congress had declared that "all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside" and are entitled to vote.

I told them that I wished to cast my vote, as a citizen of the United States, for the candidates for United States offices.

Two of the inspectors sat down and pulled their hats over their eyes, whether from shame or ignorance I do not know.