100 years ago in The Saratogian

Tuesday, Nov. 5, 1918

“With clear skies and a brisk breeze that was rather invigorating than cold, election weather in this section was ideal,” The Saratogian reports as women have a chance to vote for a woman for the first time.

The women of New York State were granted the right to vote through a referendum approved last year. In Saratoga County the Democratic candidates for seats in the state legislature are women: Kathryn H. Starbuck of Saratoga Springs for assembly and Mary L. MacMillan of Schenectady for senate. The Socialist and Prohibition parties have nominated women for lieutenant governor, while the Social Labor ticket is headed by gubernatorial candidate Olive M. Johnson.

The Republican party has no women on the county ballot, but supporters see conditions in the Spa City as “Republican weather.” GOP candidates are always heavy favorites in city and county, and Starbuck’s opponent for the assembly seat, Clarence C. Smith of Wilton, is a 3-1 favorite according to unofficial odds early this morning.

“The vote started coming out early,” one reporter writes at press time for tonight’s edition, “and at noon many of the districts had polled nearly or quite half of their enrollment.” The polls remain open until 6 p.m.

Smith proves to have been a safe bet. Thanks to strong support outside the Spa City, he wins the election with relative ease with nearly 58% of the vote. However, in what must be seen as an upset or a moral victory, Starbuck is the only Democrat on the ballot to carry Saratoga Springs, beating Smith there by 560 votes.

In general, Saratoga County bucks a statewide Democratic tide. The race for governor is considered too close to call overnight, but Democratic candidate Alfred E. Smith holds a narrow lead over two-term Republican incumbent Charles S. Whitman. A longtime enemy of local elder statesman Edgar T. Brackett, Whitman ran well behind most of the GOP ticket in Saratoga Springs. He carries the city by little more than 200 votes, while county treasurer-elect W. W. Blackmer wins by 1,410 votes.

Patrolman Sheehan Dies at His Post

Election Day is marred by the sudden death this evening of veteran Saratoga Springs policeman Matthew Sheehan.

The 60 year old patrolman collapses in front of the Arcade Building shortly after finishing his shift at 8 p.m. Dr. Arthur A. Swanick and Peter A. Smith, Sheehan’s brother-in-law, rush him to his home at 45 Park Street, but are unable to revive him.

Sheehan, a Vermont native, was a 26-year veteran of the force. “He was an efficient and faithful public servant,” says police superintendent James H. King.

—Kevin Gilbert