KANSAS.[52]
Kansas was not yet a State when in 1859 twenty-five of her
justice-loving men and women met and formed the first association to
gain political freedom for women, and the liberty lighting torch
kindled then was kept aflame by organization for fifty-three years
before the women received equal political rights with the men in 1912.
A State Equal Suffrage Association was formed in 1884 and thereafter
annual conventions were held.
During 1901 Miss Helen Kimber, president of the association, travelled
through fifteen counties and held twenty-five meetings. She had
obtained for the national suffrage bazaar held in New York in
December, 1900, besides many smaller donations, a car load of flour
from the Kansas Millers' Association and two hundred pounds of butter
from the Continental Creamery Company of Topeka. She was re-elected
president at the convention held in McPherson, Nov. 7, 8, and the
following year visited more than half the counties, forming
organizations where they did not already exist. The attempt made in
the Legislature through the influence of the liquor interests to
deprive women of their Municipal suffrage, possessed since 1887,
brought more of them to realize its value and at the spring election
more than ever before were elected on school boards, for which women
could vote.
The convention of 1902 was held in Topeka October 14-15 and Miss
Kimber was re-elected; Mrs. John B. Sims, secretary. Several thousand
people listened to the inspiring addresses of Mrs. Carrie Chapman
Catt, president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association,
and the senior editor of the _Woman's Journal_, Henry B. Blackwell.
Headquarters were established in Topeka. Petitions for Presidential
suffrage with about 32,000 signatures had been secured to be presented
to the Legislature of 1903. There was an increased vote of women at
the spring election and forty-two were elected as county officers, for
whom only men could vote.
The State convention of 1903 was held in Abilene December 8-9 and Miss
Kimber was again re-elected. She reported suffrage meetings conducted
at the Winfield, Beloit and Lincoln Chautauquas. Mrs. Mary C. C.
Bradford of Colorado was the outside speaker and afterwards spoke in
four of the principal cities. Mrs. Sadie P. Grisham of Cottonwood
Falls was elected president at the convention held in Topeka Nov. 9,
10, 1904. The increase of membership of nearly a thousand was largely
accredited to the efforts of Mrs. Alice Moyer, State organizer.
Presidential suffrage was again adopted for the year's work. The
suffrage departments were maintained at the Chautauqua meetings and
literature and letters were sent to every member of the incoming
Legislature. The convention of 1905 was held in Topeka October 20-21.
Mrs. Grisham refused a second term and Mrs. Roxana E. Rice of Lawrence
was elected president. On Oct. 14, 1906, the convention met in Topeka
and Mrs. Rice was re-elected and with others of her board represented
Kansas at the national convention in Chicago the next February.
The annual meeting of 1907 was again held in Topeka on November 14 and
a report from the national convention was given by the vice-president,
Mrs. Lilla Day Monroe, but all propositions and resolutions offered by
the mother organization were either rejected or referred to a
committee and at the conclusion of Mrs. Monroe's report she moved that
"the Kansas Equal Suffrage Association withdraw from the National."
After discussion to the effect that it could do more effective work
alone the motion was carried. Mrs. Monroe was elected president, Mrs.
J. D. McFarland first and Mrs. Rice second vice-president. The
treasurer reported $260 in the treasury and was instructed to pay $25
to the Susan B. Anthony memorial fund. The board decided to publish
the _Club Member_, devoted to women's activities.
The convention of 1908 met October 30-31 in Topeka, the Good
Government Club and the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of that
city uniting with the association in an evening program. Mrs. A. H.
Horton was elected president, Mrs. Monroe first and Mrs. Margaret Hill
McCarter second vice-president. The fact was evident that there had
been no organization work and little activity throughout the State for
several years, and, as there was now no connection with the National
Association, interest was awakened only at biennial periods by the
convening of the Legislature.
At the convention of 1909 in Topeka, December 10, 11, T. A. McNeal of
this city, former member of the Legislature, principal speaker at the
evening meeting, chided the women and declared that the little advance
made along suffrage lines of recent years was not because of men's
lack of interest but on account of women's indifference. Mrs.
Catharine A. Hoffman was elected president; Mrs. R. V. Chambers first
and Mrs. McCarter second vice-president; Mrs. E. E. Raudebush,
secretary; Mrs. Emma Sells Marshall, treasurer; Mrs. McFarland and
Mrs. Rice, auditors. The president appointed an advisory board of
fifteen men and women and named Mrs. Genevieve Howland Chalkley State
organizer. The press was used to advantage and good speakers from
Kansas and neighboring States helped to make woman suffrage a more
popular subject. A number of meetings of a semi-social nature were
held in the capital city before the Legislature met. One, "a Kansas
equal suffrage banquet," followed a business meeting of the
association, Jan. 28, 1910, at Hotel Throop. About one hundred guests
were present, Governor W. R. Stubbs and wife and former Governor W. E.
Hoch and wife having seats of honor. Mrs. Hoffman was toastmistress
and about twenty men and women responded to toasts.
Mrs. Hoffman's policy was to make a strong appeal to the next
Legislature for the submission of a full suffrage amendment to the
voters. On Dec. 9, 1910, she called her officers and a number of well
known workers to a conference in Topeka and a plan of action was
outlined. A room in the State Historical Department, which through
the courtesy of Geo. W. Martin had been used as legislative
headquarters in other years, was again retained with Mrs. Monroe as
superintendent. Mrs. William A. Johnston, Mrs. Stubbs and Mrs. C. C.
Goddard were appointed a legislative committee. Governor Stubbs had
been re-elected in November, 1910, and in his message to the
Legislature in January he strongly advised the submission. Then the
battle royal for votes opened. The resolution was introduced early in
January. Every legislator was asked by each member of the committee to
vote for it; many of the members' wives were in Topeka and teas,
dinners and receptions became popular, at which the "assisting ladies"
were asked to keep the subject of woman suffrage to the front and in
this way many men and women were interested and educated.
Mrs. Hoffman was a conservative but diligent worker and among her able
assistants were a number of men and women from the colleges and
universities. Mrs. Lillian Mitchner, president of the State W. C. T.
U., was a constant helper. The names of all the valiant workers would
be those of hundreds of Topeka people and hundreds more out in the
"home districts," who used their influence with the legislators, and
those of wives of Senators and Representatives who influenced their
husbands' votes. The State House headquarters was a busy place and a
large amount of work was done there. The amendment resolution was
passed by the votes of the men but it could not have been done without
the careful, well planned work of the women. It was adopted by a large
majority in both Houses and signed by Governor Stubbs Feb. 12, 1911.
The State convention met in Representative Hall, Topeka, May 16, 1911.
Kansas women were now for the third time entering a campaign for
political liberty, which made the meeting one of unusual interest.
Mrs. Hoffman could not serve longer and the following officers were
elected: Mrs. Johnston, president; Mrs. Stubbs first and Mrs. Cora W.
Bullard second vice-president; Miss Gertrude Reed, corresponding
secretary; Miss Helen N. Eacker, recording secretary; Mrs. S. A.
Thurston, treasurer; Mrs. William Allen White, auditor; district
presidents, Mrs. Bullard, Mrs. Chalkley, Mrs. P. H. Albright, Mrs. L.
C. Wooster, Mrs. Matie Toothaker Kimball, Mrs. Anna C. Waite, Mrs. W.
Y. Morgan, Mrs. Nannie Garrett. An enthusiastic mass meeting was held
in the evening, the speakers, Chief Justice William A. Johnston; John
McDonald, former Superintendent of Public Instruction; George W.
Martin, secretary of the State Historical Society; David Leahy,
secretary to the Governor, and Mrs. Mitchner; Mrs. Hoffman presiding.
The next day a joint meeting of the old and new officers was held. The
treasurer reported $37.50 received as membership fees, and $100, a
gift from Mrs. Catt. This was a small sum to begin a campaign for
about 500,000 votes, but all hearts were filled with courage. Later
three district presidents resigned and Mrs. Minnie J. Brinstead, Mrs.
H. Wirick and Mrs. M. B. Munson were appointed; also Mrs. Hoffman,
chairman of press; Dr. Alberta Corbin, of membership extension, and
Miss Effie Graham of education.
These eighteen women constituted a board of management. At its meeting
July 10 a program was submitted by the president of the association
for the complete organization of the State. Organization, education
and publicity were the watchwords adopted. The need of money was so
pressing that the board made personal pledges of from $25 to $200,
which in many instances were more than doubled before the vote was
taken. This act of self-denial and consecration gave strength and
courage to go to others, for worthy as was the cause money would not
come without asking. The big public is much like the Lord, who helps
those who help themselves. The half-million voters to obtain and
almost as many women living in 105 counties to educate meant work as
well as faith.
The hottest summer and the coldest, stormiest winter followed and the
workers learned what it meant to travel across country with the
mercury ranging from 110 in the shade to 22 degrees below zero; to
have a Turkish bath while making a "votes for women" speech or be
delayed for hours on a freight or passenger train by a snow blockade.
By January, 1912, however, one-third of the counties were organized,
many newspapers pledged to help, and headquarters established in the
best business building in Topeka. Then began a "day in and day out"
battle for votes. At first there was one stenographer, later three
and two secretaries, and the president broke all the maximum hour
laws. Besides the regular county and precinct organizations, college
clubs were formed and a Men's State League, with Dr. E. S. Pettyjohn
president. This league had a large and influential membership,
including the Governor, the Chief Justice and other State officers;
many prominent business men, leading ministers, lawyers, teachers,
professors and politicians. It gave the campaign prestige with the
voters and its members were invaluable as advisers and active workers.
The State convention was held in Wichita, May 7-9, 1912. Greetings
were given by Mrs. W. J. Babb, the new president of the district; Mrs.
W. T. Johnston, hostess and president of the county, and Mrs. Sally
Toler, president of the City Federation of Clubs. Mrs. Mitchner
pledged the support of the W. C. T. U. and Mrs. W. D. Atkinson,
president of the State Federation of Women's Clubs, brought its
endorsement and pleaded with other State organizations to "bring in
the reserves." Telegrams and letters were read from Miss Alice Stone
Blackwell, editor of the _Woman's Journal_; Governor John F. Shafroth
of Colorado; Judge Ben Lindsey of Denver; Omar E. Garwood, secretary
of the National Men's League; Dr. Anna Howard Shaw, president of the
National Association; Mrs. Oliver H. P. Belmont of New York; J. H.
Braly of California and others. Dr. Helen Brewster Owens of Ithaca, N.
Y., field organizer, gave an interesting report of her work, which
included addressing 176 audiences and organizing five college leagues.
The first "motion" was that application be made for reinstatement in
the National Association, and it was carried unanimously. Pledges
amounting to $1,000 were given in five minutes to finance a whirlwind
campaign proposed by Mr. Braly similar to the one successfully made in
California the year before.
The evening meeting was held in the Crawford Theater and many were
unable to gain admission. Mrs. Johnson presided, Mayor W. W. Winnick
gave the address of welcome and Mrs. Stubbs responded. The Rev.
Olympia Brown of Wisconsin, a pioneer suffragist, and Miss Jane Addams
of Chicago were the principal speakers. During the convention
encouraging reports were made by chairmen of the three departments
and eight congressional districts and many county presidents. The
State officers were all re-elected; Mrs. C. W. Smith was made
president of the sixth district and Mrs. Babb of the eighth. The
afternoon features were an automobile ride by courtesy of the Commerce
Club and a street meeting where Miss Addams made her first outdoor
speech, standing on the rear seat of an automobile. An evening
reception at the Masonic Temple was a delightful finale to the
biggest, most enthusiastic suffrage convention ever held in the State.
An executive board meeting and a conference took place May 9, at which
date the State, district and county officers of the organized forces
numbered more than 2,000 women. These with the men in favor and most
of the newspapers created a suffrage sentiment which reached every
corner of the State. Nearly all of the forty field workers were
Kansans, but assistants and money came from other State organizations
and individuals. The National Association contributed in literature
and money $2,076. Mrs. Laura M. Johns, now of California, and other
"formerly of Kansas" women sent counsel and gifts. Kansas people gave
most of the money which the campaign cost, and some of the $6,000
expended was so sacred that it was handled with tearful eyes and
reverent touch. For instance, one letter enclosed a check for $100,
representing "the life savings of Mary," who wanted it used in a
campaign State. In another was $10 "from mother's money, who wanted
this justice for women, but it did not come while she lived." Another
woman wrote: "This is my sainted mother's birthday and I want this $5
used in her memory." One had made provisions in her will to leave $200
for the next campaign, but thanked God it had come while she could
work as well as give. There were the widows' mites, many times meaning
sacrifice and toil, and single dollars came from women who were too
old or too ill to work but wanted to have a part. There were also a
few surreptitious dollars from women whose husbands were boasting that
their wives did not want to vote, and "joy dollars" for sons and
daughters or the new-born babe. All these gifts were thrice blessed.
With votes as with most of the dollars--they were not coming
unsought, and in order to make sure of them they must be looked for in
their own habitat. This the women did on horseback, in wagons,
carriages, steam cars and automobiles. They were found in the shops,
offices and stores, at the fairs, conventions and Chautauquas, at the
theater and the circus, on the farms and the highways, at the fireside
and in the streets. One automobile trip covered a part of the same
route travelled by the Rev. Olympia Brown and other suffrage workers
in the campaign of 1867, when they often rode in ox-teams or on Indian
ponies, stopped over night in dugouts or sod houses and finally were
driven back by hostile Indians. This mental picture made the trip over
good roads and through villages of pretty homes seem like a pleasure
ride. Miss Laura Clay of Kentucky; the president, Mrs. Johnston; Mrs.
Kimball and Mrs. Hoffman, who furnished the car, made one trip of
1,000 miles in the fifth district and Miss Clay was then placed in
charge of the sixth district offices, where she rendered valuable
service for two weeks longer, all gratuitous.
Arthur Capper, owner and publisher of the Topeka _Daily Capital_, and
L. L. Kiene, editor of the _State Journal_, were most helpful. The
favorable Catholic vote was largely due to the excellent work of Mrs.
Mary E. Ringrose and her sister of California and to David Leahy of
Wichita, an active worker in the Men's League. W. Y. Morgan, member of
Congress from Kansas, and Professor S. J. Brandenburg of Oxford, Ohio,
looked after the voters in the colleges and universities.
Four-year-old Billy Brandenburg came with his mother to help in the
automobile tours and was adopted as the "campaign mascot." At the
street meetings his little cap was often heavy with nickels and
quarters when he helped take collections. Kansas had often stood in
the lime-light, but while the women avoided the humdrum, all
spectacular methods were discouraged and they won by keeping their
efforts on dignified, conservative lines.
All along those in charge of the campaign were warned that the big
interests whose business thrives on the degradation of human life
would rather defeat suffrage in Kansas than in any other two States.
Early in the summer of 1912 a bound book of letters, entitled
"Business Versus Woman Suffrage," was brought out by a certain C. F.
Tibbles of Chicago, cunningly devised to arouse the prejudice of
every kind of business man or reform worker. Later two other editions
were issued, enlarged and more daring in their statements. They were
left in railway coaches and sent to newspaper offices with strong
appeals for the publishing of the letters from time to time, but
Kansas men had fought too many battles with the saloon power not to
recognize its hydra head. Toward the last came one clothed in the
official garb of the exalted Methodist Church, but warning had been
sent by the women of Oregon, where he had united his efforts with the
worst elements to defeat the suffrage amendment in two campaigns. The
Men's League, the press and the ministers co-operated with the women
and "Clarence, the Untrue," was effectively bound and gagged. About
this time one of the good friends in Kansas City, Mo., discovered that
the same plan which had defeated the amendment in Ohio was going to be
used in Kansas, and he loyally reported it to headquarters. A busy day
followed and Mrs. Edwin Knapp, Miss Eacker and the president remained
up all night getting out letters to expose the plan. These were sent
to all of the weekly newspapers for their last issue before the
election and an Associated Press letter to be used in the Sunday and
Monday issues.
Thanks to the splendid manhood of Kansas, these were sufficient, and
women came into their own on November 5, 1912, by a vote of 175,246
ayes, 159,197 noes--a majority of over 16,000. No other State had won
by so large a majority and because the count was made and the victory
reported first of the three that were carried in 1912, Kansas claims
the right to the seventh place on the list of equal suffrage
States.[53]
The Jubilee Convention, May 19-20, 1913, was held in the Baptist
Church at Lawrence, and men and women came from every part of the
State. The evening program was under the auspices of the Men's League,
Dr. Pettyjohn, presiding. Professor W. H. Carruth of the State
University gave the address of welcome and the Hon. W. S. Guyer, an
active helper in the campaign, responded. Addresses were made by
Governor George H. Hodges (Democrat), ex-Governor W. R. Stubbs
(Republican), the Hon. W. Y. Morgan and the Rev. C. M. Sheldon. The
theme was The New Citizen, and she had a liberal share of the
compliments and good advice. At a large evening meeting Mrs. Agnes
Riddle, member of the Colorado House of Representatives, gave an
interesting address. As befitted a jubilee convention, there were
feasting and music, but the subjects discussed revealed a serious
realization of the enlarged responsibilities which the vote involved.
The name of the association was changed to the Good Citizenship
League. Mrs. Johnston declining re-election, received the title of
president emeritus, and Mrs. Chalkley was elected president; Mrs.
Stubbs first and Mrs. Laura Reed Yaggy second vice-presidents; Miss
Eacker, recording secretary; Mrs. Magdalen B. Munson, treasurer; Mrs.
W. T. Johnston, auditor, and eight district presidents.
During the months that followed, educational work and helpful interest
in States having campaigns was carried forward. At a meeting in
Emporia, April 3, 1914, the measures to be supported in the next
Legislature by the association were chosen and a study of the
political situation was made. The candidates for Governor, Arthur
Capper (Republican), George H. Hodges (Democrat) and Professor George
W. Kleihege of Washburn College (Socialist) presented the principles
of their parties. Henry J. Allen (Progressive) sent greetings and Dean
Relvix of Ottawa University explained the tenets of this party. A
legislative school followed, attended by women from many sections of
the State. A rally to help the campaign in Missouri was held in Kansas
City October 15, with a banquet and speeches on the Missouri side and
an all day and evening meeting on the Kansas side. The principal
speakers were Dean Sophonisba Breckinridge of the University of
Chicago and Justice J. S. West of the Kansas Supreme Court. The annual
convention met in Lawrence Dec. 19, 1914, and Mrs. Bullard was elected
president.
In 1915 the convention was held in Topeka. As war problems were
filling the hearts and minds of the people, only a business meeting
was held. The usual resolution urging the delegation in Congress to
use all honorable means to put through the Federal Suffrage Amendment
was passed.
In 1916 the convention was held in Memorial Hall, Topeka, and the name
Equal Suffrage Association was restored. Governor Capper commended the
women for their good influence on legislation. Mrs. Catt, president of
the National Association, reviewed its activities, and urged Kansas
women to work for the Federal Amendment and go to the national
political conventions. Money was raised for the Iowa campaign. There
had been several attempts to organize a "militant" suffrage society in
Kansas under the name of the Congressional Union and a number of men
and women had been innocently led into it. A "question box" conducted
by Mrs. Catt did much to clarify the situation, making it plain that
there was no chance of united work by the two organizations as they
were diametrically opposed in methods. She addressed the Commercial
Club at a noon luncheon and many business men testified to the good
results of woman suffrage. Mrs. W. Y. Morgan was elected president.
The Kansas members of Congress, all of whom were in favor of the
Federal Amendment, were continuously urged to press for its
submission. About fifty Kansas women marched in the great suffrage
parade in Chicago at the time of the Republican national convention in
June.
The convention met in Topeka June 21, 1917, and Mrs. Morgan declining
re-election, Mrs. Charles H. Brooks of Wichita was made president. The
annual meeting of 1918 was held in Wichita June 12. The money had been
raised to send two envoys to the Southern States and then on to
Washington, Mrs. Henry Ware Allen and Mrs. Yaggy, both of charming
personality and belonging to the Democratic party, to obtain the help
of Congressmen from the South, and it is gratifying to remember that
the securing of the last necessary votes in the House in January might
be attributed to the efforts of these two women. It was voted to send
money and speakers to help in the Oklahoma campaign, where the liquor
interests were making a strong fight against the amendment. Mrs.
Brooks' excellent work soon brought results. It was hard to raise
money for anything except winning the war but she never lost sight of
the fact that winning votes for the Federal Amendment was winning
democracy for the world. Almost without exception the officers of the
association represented families with men in uniform. The suffragists
sold in the Third and Fourth Liberty Loans $20,000,000 worth of bonds
and they worked in every "drive" through the Woman's Committee of the
Council of Defense. Mrs. Brooks and her entire board were re-elected.
As guests of the Wichita Equal Suffrage Society delegates and visitors
were entertained at tea in the home of the Hon. Henry J. Allen.
The convention of 1919 was held in Wichita June 10-11. Mrs. Brooks had
been elected president of the National League of Women Voters and the
Kansas association loyally changed its name to the State League of
Women Voters. A largely attended "victory dinner" was given at the
Lassen Hotel. Mrs. Brooks was succeeded by Mrs. Henry Ware Allen, who
later resigned, and the Executive Board in November called on the well
beloved veteran, Mrs. Catharine A. Hoffman, again to take the
presidency. A special meeting of the association and a citizenship
school were held in Wichita Jan. 19-25, 1920, the latter conducted by
Miss Marie B. Ames of St. Louis, the regional director of the National
League of Women Voters.
LEGISLATIVE ACTION. After an amendment to the State constitution was
defeated by the voters in 1894, women asked for full suffrage only now
and then, but encouraged by Henry B. Blackwell of Massachusetts they
made special efforts after 1900 to obtain the vote for presidential
electors.
1901. The Presidential suffrage bill passed the Senate by a vote of 22
to 13, but the next day the vote was reconsidered on motion of Senator
G. A. Knofster and the bill defeated by 23 to 13. It died on the House
calendar. On January 14 Representative J. A. Butler of Wyandotte
county introduced a bill the purpose of which was to deprive women of
Municipal suffrage. A storm of protests began at once to pour in and
it was estimated that 10,000 letters were sent to members by women
from their home districts. The bill was twice killed in committee and
received less than ten votes, amid derision and laughter, when its
author tried to have it placed on the calendar.
1903. Senator Dumont Smith introduced the Presidential suffrage bill
and worked faithfully for it, but it was defeated on January 28 by 21
noes, 13 ayes. Cyrus Leland introduced it in the Lower House, where it
was killed in Committee of the Whole on February 11 by 62 noes, 57
ayes. At this session an extension of bond suffrage was granted to
women. They had had the right to vote on bonds for school buildings
since 1887, but this act extended the privilege to all other public
improvements in cities of the first class.
1905. Governor Edward W. Hoch in his message to the Legislature
recommended full suffrage for women and a committee of seven on the
Political Rights of Women was appointed in the House. Early in the
session the politicians stated that no full suffrage measure would be
introduced. Later I. W. Crumley, chairman of the committee, introduced
a bill for Presidential suffrage, which passed the House, 65 ayes, 50
noes, and was killed in the Senate.
1907. A House concurrent resolution to submit a constitutional
amendment died in Committee of the Whole and no action was taken in
the Senate.
1909. The House bill conferring Presidential suffrage was reported
favorably, made a special order for February 16 and received 59 noes,
57 ayes. The Senate bill was reported adversely.
1911. The amendment resolution was introduced by Representative Henry
Block, and all available space on the floor and in the galleries was
filled during the discussion. It passed on February 7 by 94 ayes, 28
noes. The Senate resolution introduced by Senator George H. Hodges was
passed on February 11 by 27 ayes, 12 noes. A two-thirds majority is
required to pass an amendment resolution and Senator Frank Travis cast
the last and deciding vote. It was signed by Governor Stubbs. The
amendment went to the voters Nov. 5, 1912, and received a majority in
favor of 16,049.
1913. The attitude of the Legislature this year was in marked contrast
to that of previous sessions and those who feared that women would
lose influence by being enfranchised were certainly undeceived.
Judging from the number of welfare bills introduced without their
solicitation it seemed that the members were vying with each other as
to who should champion the most. Instead of dodging or ignoring the
requests of women's committees their advice and wishes were sought.
1915. The following resolution was passed unanimously by both Houses:
"Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Kansas, the House
concurring therein, that it is the judgment of this Legislature that
the granting of the right of suffrage to the women of the State, so
long withheld from them, was not only an act of justice to a
disfranchised class, but that it also has proved to be of great good
to the State and to the women themselves." This was approved March 15
by the Governor and sent to Congress, and similar resolutions were
passed by each Legislature until the Federal Amendment was submitted.
1919. An Act this year required that instruction must be given in the
public schools in civic government, patriotism and the duties of a
citizen.
Among the women who were active in legislative work were Mesdames
Lillian Mitchner, C. C. Goddard, W. R. Stubbs, J. D. McFarland, E. E.
Rodebush, E. S. Marshall, Lilla Monroe, A. H. Horton, Lottie Case,
Frank Lindsay, Festus Foster and S. S. Estey.[54]
RATIFICATION. Governor Henry J. Allen called a special session of the
Legislature for the purpose of ratifying the Federal Suffrage
Amendment eleven days after it had been submitted by Congress on June
4, 1919. Representative Minnie J. Grinstead introduced the joint
resolution and it was passed unanimously on June 16 by both Houses and
approved by the Governor and forwarded to the Secretary of State on
the 17th.
FOOTNOTES:
[52] The History is indebted for this chapter to Lucy B. (Mrs. William
A.) Johnston, president of the State Equal Suffrage Association when
the victory was won. She is under obligations to H. G. Larimer,
legislative reference and bill drafting department; Miss Henrietta
Alexander, legislative reference librarian; L. J. Pettyjohn, Secretary
of State; Miss Lorraine E. Wooster, State superintendent of public
instruction; Miss Suzanne Henry, Supreme Court law clerk; Dr. S. J.
Crumbine, secretary State board of health; Mrs. Herbert Jones,
department vital statistics; Miss Linna Bresette, State labor
department; Miss Clara Francis, librarian State Historical Society.
[53] Among the many who aided in campaign work were Judge and Mrs.
Frank Doster, Mr. and Mrs. J. K. Codding, the Hon. A. M. Harvey, the
Hon. Geo. Waters, the Hon. C. C. Gafford, the Rev. Festus Foster, the
Rev. S. S. Estey, D. D., William Allen White, Sim Bromlette, John J.
Brown; Mesdames Doster Cook, C. W. Smith, Nanon Herren, Lucia Case,
Lida Buckley, Sherman Medill, Margaret Brandenburg, Edwin Knapp, L. S.
Corbin, Adrian Greene, Adrian Sherman, Pansy Clark, Z. Nason, Geo. W.
Rose, Effie Van Tuyl, Eva M. Murphy, Effie Frost; Misses Laura French,
Eva Corning, Florence Welch, Bertha Hemstead, Olga House, E. Galloo,
Mary Dobbs, Dorothy Sherman.
[54] A complete résumé of the unexcelled welfare legislation of the
past twenty years was sent with this chapter but had to be omitted for
lack of space. The first State constitution in 1859 guaranteed the
same educational rights to women as to men. The State University at
Lawrence has 54 women on its faculty; the State Agricultural College,
52; the State Normal, 46.--Ed.