One of the great unsung tax rebellions in America was widespread, grassroots tax refusal among women in Pennsylvania in .
Because the resisters did not hold rallies or pickets, did not issue petitions or manifestos, and did not (as far as I can tell) have formal organizations or hold meetings, they have mostly vanished from the historical record. But their rebellion was widespread, broadly-adopted, and very disruptive to the authorities.
I’ve covered this a bit before, but I’ve since found a few more reports from the press at that time. First, from the New Castle [Pennsylvania] News:
McKeesport Women Don’t Want To Vote, Refuse To Pay Tax
M’Keesport, . — “Why should we pay taxes in order to vote when we had nothing to do with suffrage for women and don’t want to vote and will not vote?”
Such, in effect, is a [greeting cry?] assessors of McKeesport, August Anderson and Robert E. Taylor, declare they received from eight out of every [ten?] women they approached for listing as new taxables. The assessors are not opposed to the ballot for women. They say it is entirely a matter for women, but they are certain that between 75 and 80 per cent of the women of voting age of McKeesport are not interested in the ballot and are opposed to paying any tax on its account.
The tax assessed is $1 for school purposes and is known as “occupation” tax. Women say it is [misnamed?] as far as they are concerned, declaring that they should not be taxed because they happen to be housewives. The assessors’ list shows about [9,000?] women taxables. The registration in McKeesport showed 2,489 women enrolled, which gives color to the statement of the assessors.
Next, from the Greenfield, Pennsylvania, Record-Argus:
A Corry tax collector secured judgment against eleven women who refused or neglected to pay school tax. The cases will probably get into court, as there seems to be a difference of opinion about what can be done when a woman who does not own property refuses to pay tax.
Next, from the Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania, Item:
Refuse To Pay Tax
Tax Collector Edward Nahf, of Tamaqua, has sent out final warnings to those who refuse to pay their taxes in that city. Most of the trouble, he states, is coming from the women who claim they have never voted and they never will and therefore they will go to jail rather than pay.
Next, from the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Telegraph:
Arrests Women Who Refuse to Pay Tax
New Cumberland, . — Women as well as men of Lower Allen township, Cumberland county, were notified by J.M. Witmer, tax collector, Elkwood, that they would be arrested if all taxes are not paid within the next five days. Fifteen men and women have been summoned before a justice of the peace and more arrests are promised.
Next, from the issue of the same paper:
Man Refuses to Pay Tax; Wife in “Jail”
Sunbury, . — Mrs. H. Norman Byers, of Valley township, Montour county, spent several hours at the home of Sheriff Gross and family at the jail here when her husband refused to pay her taxes or permit her to pay them. The sum was $7.65.
When a constable brought the woman to be jailed the Sheriff would not hear of it, and the woman spent the time with Mrs. Gross, instead of in the jail. Neighbor women made up the amount.
The husband is a well-to-do farmer and operates a milk route in Danville.
Next, from the Altoona, Pennsylvania, Tribune:
Citizens Resist Tax Collector
Portage Official Refused Entrance Into Home to Make Levy
Cresson, . — William Mickey, tax collector of the borough of Portage, has been having trouble in collecting taxes in his bailiwick. The trouble came to a head when he attempted to levy on the goods of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Stankavitz. He was prevented entering the house. Mr. Mickey made information before Justice of the Peace Fred W. Veil, here, against Mr. and Mrs. Stankavitz, charging them with obstructing a process. At a hearing on both parties were held in the sum of $300 for their appearance at court.
Information was also made by Tax Collector Mickey against Mrs. Lucy Sura on the same charge and when Constable Lytle went to serve the warrant, Mrs. Sura loaded children of the neighborhood in the constable’s car and said she was ready to go to jail. It was found that but six of the eighteen children were of her family and when Lytle attempted to eject them from his car, Frank Sura, husband of the woman interfered. As a result he was arrested on a charge of interfering with an officer. Both he and his wife gave bail in the sum of $300 for their appearance at the next term of court when brought before Justice F.W. Veil .
Next, from the Reading, Pennsylvania, Times:
Woman Refuses to Pay Tax, Arrested
Ephrata, . — Refusing to pay taxes, Anna Beck, wife of John Beck, of near Hahnstown, was arrested and lodged in Lancaster county jail by M.B. Hecker, tax collector of Ephrata township and two deputies, Benjamin Wissler and Jacob Beck.
Next, from the Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania, Daily News:
Women of Kulpmont Refuse to Pay Tax; Most of Those Back in Taxes Are Women
Efforts to force women of Kulpmont to pay their taxes are proving rather discouraging. Constables are not anxious to serve warrants on members of the fair sex.
The Kulpmont News was told by Paul Azary, borough tax collector, on whom demand was made recently to clear up the big exoneration list, which contains the names of hundreds of women voters, that several thousand dollars is due and it was announced that among the delinquents, at least 90 per cent are women. Objection of the women is principally to the $2.50 special school tax, which they consider exorbitant.
Next, from the Reading, Pennsylvania, Times:
Six Darby Women Refuse to Pay Tax
Most of 300 Who Defied Collector Turn In on Threat of Prison
Darby, Pa., (AP) — Six women out of three hundred who defied the local tax collector and refused to pay a personal tax of $4.05 still were holding out against the payment of the impost.
Unless they pay the tax, says S. Robert Shaw, the collector, he will be forced to send them to the Delaware county jail until they meet this obligation to the borough.
Despite the resistance of the little band, a majority of housewives of Darby chose to pay the tax in preference to going to jail.
Bring Babies Along
Many of the women who decided to pay brought their babies along to the tax collector’s office and at one time there was a string of baby coaches outside the door.
Harry W. Shein, deputy collector, had his troubles in trying to find some of his delinquents. There was no response to his call at several of the homes and there was nothing for him to do but pass on to the next delinquent. He found Mrs. Margaret Lytle at home. She was busy doing an odd job in painting.
“I’m the tax collector,” said Shein.
“So I see,” said Mrs. Lytle.
“You had better pay your taxes,” said Shein.
“What will my husband do if he comes home and finds no supper,” asked Mrs. Lytle.
Shein had no reply to this and again warned Mrs. Lytle that non-payers of taxes will go to jail.
Another woman who is reported to have failed to pay her tax claimed she was laughed at by her friends when she paid her tax in former years, and she would not be laughed at any longer.
The tax has been imposed to complete the new Darby High school, and is part of $5,000 that is needed. All the men apparently have paid the tax.
Next, from the issue of the same paper:
Recommit Woman to Jail When She Refuses to Pay Tax
Lewistown, Pa., (AP) — Mrs. Lillian Reed, of Milroy, was recommitted to the Mifflin county jail here by W.H. Prints, Mifflin county sheriff, when she refused to pay her school tax.
When the woman was faced with the alternative of paying her taxes or going to jail, she calmly said she preferred jail. Even when offered the opportunity of giving a security for the tax to be paid in 10 days, she refused.
Exclusive of her attorney fees, Mrs. Reed refused to pay the items of the cost of her case to the court which include court records $29.20, school tax with extras added $5.25, and sheriff costs, $4.40.
Z.T. Stine, Lewistown borough tax collector, stated today that since Judge Bailey delivered his decision against Mrs. Reed many women had come to his office to pay their taxes.
Next, from the issue of the Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Daily News is this item that may or may not be related to the campaign:
Woman Refuses to Pay Tax Bill, Goes to Jail
Easton, Pa., . — (AP) — Mrs. Ada Housden, of Bangor, a widowed mother of nine children was brought to the county jail today on the warrant of Joshua Price, tax collector because of her inability to pay taxes an penalties assessed against her during the past three years. The bill is for $17.43. After she had been in jail for several hours she was released upon orders of the solicitor for the county commissioners. She admits owing the bill but says she is unable to pay it.
