Possibly because of the former experience of the women there was very little necessity of urging these to keep up their enthusiasm. Towns and villages were soon organized auxiliary to the counties, and much good work was done in an educational way to arouse the new members to an appreciation of the ballot, and also to convince men of the benefits to be derived by all the people when women stood side by side with them and made common cause.
On April 11, three months after the Territorial a.s.sociation was organized, a rousing meeting was held in the a.s.sembly Hall, in Salt Lake City, Mrs. Alder, vice-president, in the chair. Eloquent addresses were made by Bishop O. F. Whitney, the Hon. C. W. Penrose, the Hon. George Q. Cannon, Dr. Martha P. Hughes (Cannon), Mrs. Zina D.
H. Young, Mrs. Richards, Ida Snow Gibbs and Nellie R. Webber.
A largely attended meeting took place in the County Court House, Ogden City, in June, the local president, Elizabeth Stanford, in the chair.
Besides brief addresses from members eloquent speeches were made by C.
W. Penrose and the Hon. Lorin Farr, a veteran legislator. The women speakers of Salt Lake who had been thoroughly identified with the suffrage cause traveled through the Territory in 1889, making speeches and promoting local interests, and strong addresses were given also by distinguished men--the Hons. John T. Caine, John E. Booth, William H.
King (delegate to Congress), bishops and legislators. The fact can not be controverted that the sentiment of the majority of the people of Utah always has been in favor of equal suffrage.
At the annual meeting, held in the Social Hall, Salt Lake City, in 1890, Mrs. Sarah M. Kimball, a woman of great executive ability, was elected president.[445]
In 1890 Mrs. Kimball and Maria Y. Dougall went as delegates to the National Convention and reached Washington in time to be present at the banquet given in honor of Miss Anthony"s seventieth birthday. In Mrs. Kimball"s report she stated that there were 300 paid-up members of the Territorial a.s.sociation exclusive of the sixteen county organizations.
During 1890 the women worked unceasingly, obtaining new members and keeping up a vigorous campaign all the year round. Meetings were held in the most remote towns, and even the farmer"s wife far away in some mountain nook did her part toward securing the suffrage.
On July 23, 1890, the day Wyoming celebrated her Statehood, the Suffrage a.s.sociation of Utah a.s.sembled in Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, to rejoice in the good fortune of Wyoming women. The fine old trees were decorated with flags and bunting and martial music resounded through the park; speeches rich with independent thought were made by the foremost ladies, and a telegram of greeting was sent to Mrs. Amalia Post at Cheyenne.
Conventions were held yearly in Salt Lake City, with the best speakers among men and women, and the counties represented by delegates. Many cla.s.ses in civil government also were formed throughout the Territory.
At the National Convention in Washington, in February, 1891, there were present from Utah ten representatives, and the number of paid-up members ent.i.tled the delegates to twenty votes, the largest number of any State except New York.
On Feb. 15, 1892, the a.s.sociation celebrated Susan B. Anthony"s birthday in one of the largest halls in Salt Lake City, handsomely decorated and the Stars and Stripes waving over the pictures of Mrs.
Stanton and Miss Anthony. Several members of the Legislature took part in the exercises, which were entirely of a suffrage character. A telegram was received from Miss Anthony which said, "Greetings, dear friends: that your citizens" right to vote may soon be secured is the prayer of your co-worker." A message of love and appreciation was returned.
On July 29, 1892, a grand rally in the interest of suffrage was held in American Fork, attended by the leaders from Salt Lake City and other parts of the Territory. Ladies wore the yellow ribbon and many gentlemen the sunflower; the visitors were met at the station with carriages and horses decorated in yellow, and bands of music were in attendance. Mrs. Hannah Lapish, the local president, had charge, a fine banquet was spread, and the entire day was a grand feast of suffrage sentiment. C. W. Penrose was the orator.
During 1892 Mrs. Wells traveled in California and Idaho, and wherever she went, in season and out of season, spoke a good word for the cause, often where women never had given the subject a thought, or had considered it brazen and unwomanly. The annual convention in October was an enthusiastic one, but the real work of the women during that year was for the Columbian Exposition, though a suffrage song book was published and much literature circulated, not only in Utah but broadcast throughout the West; and Mrs. Richards did some work in Southern Idaho.
In some striking respects 1893 was a woman"s year, and much was done to advance the suffrage cause indirectly. The a.s.sociation gave a large garden party in Salt Lake, with addresses by Mrs. Minnie J. Snow, Mrs.
Julia P. M. Farnsworth and the Hon. George Q. Cannon.
At the annual convention Mrs. Wells was elected president, Mrs.
Richards vice-president, and they continued in office during the time of the struggle to obtain an equal suffrage clause in the State const.i.tution. Mrs. Wells made personal visits throughout the Territory, urging the women to stand firm for the franchise and encourage the men who were likely to take part in the work toward Statehood to uphold the rights of the women who had helped to build up the country, as well as those who since then had been born in this goodly land, reminding them that their fathers had given women suffrage a quarter of a century before.
In February, 1894, Mrs. Wells called an a.s.sembly of citizens for the purpose of arousing a greater interest in a Statehood which should include equal rights for women as well as men. The audience was a large one of representative people. They sang Julia Ward Howe"s Battle Hymn of the Republic and also America, and brilliant addresses were made by the Hon. John E. Booth, the Hon. Samuel W. Richards, Dr.
Richard A. Hasbrouck, a famous orator formerly of Ohio, Dr. Martha Hughes Cannon, Mrs. Zina D. H. Young and Mrs. Lucy A. Clark. As a result of this gathering parlor meetings were held in various parts of the city, arousing much serious thought upon the question, as the Territory was now on the verge of Statehood.
On July 16 President Grover Cleveland signed the enabling act and the _Woman"s Exponent_ chronicled the event with words of patriotic ardor, urging the women to stand by their guns and not allow the framers of the const.i.tution to take any action whereby they might be defrauded of their sacred rights to equality. Miss Anthony"s message was quoted, "Let it be the best basis for a State ever engrossed on parchment;"
and never did the faith of its editor waver in the belief that this would be done.
From this time unremitting work was carried on by the women in all directions; every effort possible was made to secure a convention of men who would frame a const.i.tution without s.e.x distinction, and to provide that the woman suffrage article should be included in the doc.u.ment itself and not be submitted separately.
At the annual convention in October, 1894, a cordial resolution was unanimously adopted thanking the two political parties for having inserted in their platforms a plank approving suffrage for women.
The November election was most exciting. Women all over the Territory worked energetically to elect such delegates to the convention as would place equal suffrage in the const.i.tution.
After the election, when the battle was in progress, women labored tactfully and industriously; they tried by every means to educate and convert the general public, circulated suffrage literature among neighbors and friends and in the most remote corners, for they knew well that even after the const.i.tution was adopted by the convention it must be voted on by all the men of the Territory.
In January, 1895, the president, Mrs. Wells, went to Atlanta to the National Convention, accompanied by Mrs. Marilla M. Daniels and Mrs.
Aurelia S. Rogers. In her report she stated that the women of Utah had not allied themselves with either party but labored a.s.siduously with both Republicans and Democrats. In closing she said: "There are two good reasons why our women should have the ballot apart from the general reasons why all women should have it--first, because the franchise was given to them by the Territorial Legislature and they exercised it seventeen years, never abusing the privilege, and it was taken away from them by Congress without any cause a.s.signed except that it was a political measure; second, there are undoubtedly more women in Utah who own their homes and pay taxes than in any other State with the same number of inhabitants, and Congress has, by its enactments in the past, virtually made many of these women heads of families."
A convention was held February 18 in the Probate Court room of the Salt Lake City and County building. Delegates came from far and near.
Mrs. Wells presided, and vice-presidents were Mrs. Richards, Mrs. C.
W. Bennett; secretary, Mrs. Nellie Little; a.s.sistant secretary, Mrs.
Augusta W. Grant; chaplain, Mrs. Zina D. H. Young. A committee was appointed by the Chair to prepare a memorial for the convention,[446]
and stirring speeches were made by delegates from the various counties.
In the afternoon as many of the ladies as could gain admittance went into another hall in the same building, where the Const.i.tutional Convention was in session, and where already some members had begun to oppose woman suffrage in the const.i.tution proper and to suggest it as an amendment to be voted upon separately. The Hon. F. S. Richards, a prominent member, presented their memorial, which closed with the following paragraph: "We therefore ask you to provide in the const.i.tution that the rights of citizens of the State of Utah to vote and hold office shall not be denied or abridged on account of s.e.x, but that male and female citizens of the State shall equally enjoy all civil, political and religious rights and privileges." This was signed by Emeline B. Wells, president Woman Suffrage a.s.sociation; Emily S.
Richards, vice-president; Zina D. H. Young, president National Woman"s Relief Society; Jane S. Richards, vice-president, and all the county presidents.
The next morning a hearing was granted to the ladies before the Suffrage Committee. Carefully prepared papers were read by Mesdames Richards, Carlton, Cannon, Milton, Pardee and Pratt. Mrs. Wells spoke last, without notes, stating pertinent facts and appealing for justice.
There was much debate, pro and con, in the convention after this time, and open and fair discussions of the question in Committee of the Whole. The majority report was as follows:
_Resolved_, That the rights of citizens of the State of Utah to vote and hold office shall not be denied or abridged on account of s.e.x. Both male and female citizens of this State shall equally enjoy all civil, political and religious rights and privileges.
The minority report submitted later was too weak and flimsy to be considered.
The women addressed a cordial letter of appreciation and thanks to the committee who had so n.o.bly stood by their cause.[447] Having secured this favorable report the women had not supposed it would be necessary to continue their efforts, and it would not have been except for a faction led by Brigham H. Roberts who actively worked against the adoption of this article by the delegates.[448] Numerously signed pet.i.tions for woman suffrage from all parts of the Territory were at once sent to the convention.
On the morning of April 8 the section on equal suffrage which had pa.s.sed its third reading was brought up for consideration, as had been previously decided. The hall was crowded to suffocation, but as the debate was limited to fifteen minutes it was soon disposed of without much argument from either side. The vote of the convention was 75 ayes, 6 noes, 12 absent. Every member afterwards signed the const.i.tution.
On May 12, Miss Anthony and the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, president and vice-president-at-large of the National a.s.sociation, arrived, as promised, to hold a suffrage conference. They were accompanied by Mrs.
Mary C. C. Bradford and Mrs. Ellis Meredith of Colorado. The conference met in the hall where the Const.i.tutional Convention had adjourned a few days before. Mrs. Wells presided and Gov. Caleb W.
West introduced Miss Anthony, a.s.suring his audience it was a distinguished honor, and declaring that the new State const.i.tution which included woman suffrage would be carried at the coming election by an overwhelming majority. Miss Anthony responded in a most acceptable manner. Governor West also introduced Miss Shaw who made an eloquent address. Mrs. Bradford and Mrs. Meredith were formally presented and welcome was extended by Mesdames Zina D. H. Young, W.
Ferry, B. W. Smith, J. Milton, C. E. Allen, M. I. Home, E. B. Ferguson and the Hon. J. R. Murdock, a pioneer suffragist and member of the late convention.
The same afternoon a reception was given in honor of the ladies at the handsome residence of the Hon. F. S. and Mrs. Richards, attended by over three hundred guests, including State officials, officers and ladies from the military post, and many people of distinction. The conference lasted two days, with large audiences, and the newspapers published glowing accounts of the proceedings and the enthusiasm. Many social courtesies were extended.
Miss Anthony and her party held meetings in Ogden and were honored in every possible way, the Hon. Franklin D. Richards and his wife and the Hon. D. H. Peery being among the entertainers there.
The question soon arose whether women should vote on the adoption of the const.i.tution at the coming November election. The commission which had been appointed by the U. S. Government to superintend affairs in Utah, decided at their June meeting to submit the matter to the Attorney-General. There was considerable agitation by the public press; some newspapers favored the women"s voting and others thought its legality would be questioned and thus the admission to Statehood would be hindered. The women generally were willing to abide by the highest judicial authority.
A test case was brought before the District Court in Ogden, August 10.
The court room was crowded with attorneys and prominent citizens to hear the decision of Judge H. W. Smith, which was that women should register and vote. The case was then carried to the Supreme Court of the Territory and the decision given August 31. Chief Justice Samuel A. Merritt stated that Judge G. W. Bartch and himself had reached the conclusion that the Edmunds-Tucker Law had not been repealed and would remain effective till Statehood was achieved, and that he would file a written opinion reversing the judgment of the lower court. Judge William H. King, the other member, dissented and declared that "the disfranchis.e.m.e.nt of the women at this election he regarded as a wrong and an outrage."
The opinion of the Supreme Court could not be ignored and therefore the women citizens acquiesced with the best grace possible.
Unremitting and effective work continued to be done by the suffrage a.s.sociation, although the foremost women soon affiliated with the respective parties and began regular duty in election matters. The leaders went through the Territory urging women everywhere to look after the interests of the election and see that men voted right on the const.i.tution, which was not only of great importance to them and their posterity but to all women throughout the land.
Women attended conventions, were members of political committees and worked faithfully for the election of the men who had been nominated at the Territorial Convention. A few women also had been placed on the tickets--Mrs. Emma McVicker for Superintendent of Public Instruction, Mrs. Lillie Pardee for the Senate, and Mrs. E. B. Wells for the House of Representatives, on the Republican ticket, and it was held that although women were not allowed to vote, they might be voted for by men. But finally, so many fears were entertained lest the success of the ticket should be imperiled that the women were induced to withdraw. Mrs. Wells" name remained until the last, but the party continuing to insist, she very reluctantly yielded, informing the committee that she did it under protest. On Nov. 5, 1895, the Republican party carried the election by a large majority; the const.i.tution was adopted by 28,618 ayes, 2,687 noes, and Full Suffrage was conferred on women.
[Ill.u.s.tration:
LAURA M. JOHNS.
Salina, Kan.
MARY J. COGGESHALL.
Des Moines, Iowa.