First That Time... post of February! WHOO! Today's post is about a misogynistic time in history. I cannot remember where I learned about this, but when I read about it I knew it was getting its own post. We're learning about the 1908 Sullivan Ordinance that banned women from smoking in public venues.
In 1908, New York Alderman, Timothy "Little Tim" Sullivan brought an issue before his colleagues. He believed that women smoking was unattractive. A common belief of the time was that women smoking was "dangerously sexual, immoral and not to be trusted". While none of the Aldermen took the ordinance seriously, it passed unanimously, despite the belief that it was illegal. Little Tim Sullivan believed that despite his ordinance infringing on woman's constitutional rights, he would be able to get away with it.
And he did. For two weeks.
The ordinance was passed on January 21, 1908. The New York Times reported, "After today it will be against the law for a hotel or restaurant proprietor, or any one else managing or owning a public place to allow women to smoke in public".
The ordinance wasn't heavily followed as the only person we know to be fined was Katie Mulcahey. The New York Times reported that the officer who fined her stated "Madam, you mustn't! What would Alderman Sullivan Say?". Katie was fined $5 - which is about $161 today - but refused to pay. Which was her right as the ordinance did not say anything about fines. Not to mention she was smoking out on the street not in a venue, which the ordinance also doesn't say anything about. Having refused to pay the fine, Katie was arrested. When brought in front of a judge, she claimed "I never heard of this new law, and I don't want to hear about it. No man shall dictate me." It is reported that she was released from jail the next day.
Above is an illustration by Ethel Powers who worked for The Evening World. The illustration shows two women smoking. The caption being "Having Saved Women from Cigarettes Will Little Tim Now Rescue Them From Cocktails? WHICH IS WORSE? Smoking in Public or Drinking to Excess in Exclusive Cafes?" Several newspapers and publications reported on the short-lived ordinance. The New York Times even called it "The War on Cigarettes".
Fortunately for the women of New York City, Mayor George B. McClellan Jr. vetoed the ordinance two weeks after it passed with New York Times reporting "Mayor Lets Women Smoke; Vetoes 'Little Tim' Sullivan Ordinance Restricting Them" on February 4, 1908. The 115th anniversary of the veto just passed this past weekend which I did not plan, but it's a welcomed coincidence!
Ironically, Little Tim Sullivan who brought up the ordinance and who it's named for was a supporter of woman's suffragettes. Also 109 years later, New York City passed a law prohibiting anyone from smoking indoors in public or private.
If you enjoyed learning about this weird time in history, please check out my other That Time.. posts! And if you have any other weird moments in history that interest you, drop them in the comments! Have a great week!
Comments
Post a Comment