“ Who is responsible for the delay which may keep over 10,000,000 women from the vote for President and about 20,000,000 from the vote for members of Congress, State officials, etc.? Both political parties but the Republican in greater degree. ... It lies in the power of this party to speak the word that will fully enfranchise the women of this country and where there is power there is responsibility. ”

“ The only concession that had been made to the steady demand of the women for suffrage was the grant of the School franchise in 1893 and eligibility to the school boards. Interest in woman suffrage was at a low ebb when the new century opened. The membership of the association had decreased and at the State convention in Hartford in 1901 the treasurer's report for the year showed an expenditure of only $21.75. The report of the president and secretary said: "The work of the association is confined to the annual fall convention and the legislative hearing." ”

“ If the Connecticut Republican leaders can play a free hand without inter- ference from the national party, then that party faces the alternative of either admitting powerlessness and disintegration or of being an accomplice in the State's attitude of repudiation. ”

“ He received them in the national headquarters and Miss Lud- ington, who spoke for the deputation, reminded him that his party was taking the credit for the ratification of the Federal Suffrage Amendment thus far but not bringing any effective pressure on the Republican Governors of Connecticut and Ver- mont, each of whom could insure its full success, and said: "What the women want is the vote in November. What the parties apparently want is a good record as a talking point in the coming campaign. What to the women is the supremely important thing is that 36th State. ”

“ At their State convention in March the Resolutions Committee gave a hearing to the suffragists and reported a resolution in favor of a special session, which was passed by the convention and presented to the Governor. It then returned to power the very men who would prevent it. The Governor remained ob- durate. To the first petition he had replied that the desire of a few women did not create an emergency. Then he had argued that suffrage was not an issue when the Legislature was elected and therefore the legislators were not authorized by the voters to act upon it. ”

“ A carefully planned tour was made of thirty-six towns with a total of forty- one meetings, at which they were introduced and assisted by prominent men. Mrs. Catt spoke to a large audience in Woolsey Hall, New Haven, with Mayor Fitzgerald presiding. The object of the campaign was to show the sentiment in the State for a special session of the Legislature and a resolution calling for it was enthusiastically adopted at each meeting. The Governor appointed Friday morning at n 130 for the interview and the visitors and the officers and staff of the State Suffrage Association were at the Capitol. ”

“ In our own State, where the Republican party is responsible, the women are actually being called upon to aid its campaign while it is repudiating the policy and promises of the natiunal party in regard to ratification. ”

“ Connecticut women will remain voteless unless their State or Ver- mont or a southern State ratifies. The Republican party can help us in two ways either by giving a solid Republican vote in Tennessee or by putting forth a really vigorous effort in a New England State. The situation in Connecticut remained unchanged but about two weeks after this interview the Tennessee Legislature ratified CONNECTICUT 8l by means of both Republican and Democratic votes. This made the 36th State and Secretary Colby proclaimed the Federal Suf- frage Amendment a part of the National Constitution. ”

“ The Connecticut women decided to give him the proof and the National Suffrage Association offered its cooperation by send- ing women from all over the country to Connecticut to join in a great protest against the blocking of woman suffrage for the whole nation. ”

“ Women are just as !y affected by it and as deeply interested in it as men. Although tit of the necessary 36 States have ratified, no women can vote m this election under the Federal Amendment until the 36th State 78 HISTORY OF WOMAN SUFFRAGE has ratified. It is curious how slow the public women as well as men have been to realize this. They talk of our being "almost" voters. They do not seem to understand that although Massachu- setts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, etc., have ratified the amendment, the women of these States will not vote until the 36th State ratifies. ”

“ In 1912 the annual convention was held at New Haven, where after much difficulty Miss Pierson had organized a flourishing Equal Franchise League with Mrs. Carlos F. Stoddard president. A Political Equality Club had existed here from before the open- ing of the century but its membership was small and it made no appeal to a large number of women who were ready to come out for suffrage. It seemed better, as in Hartford in 1909, to form a new organization with younger leaders. The annual convention in 1913 was held in Hartford. Mrs. Hincks refused re-election and Mrs. ”

“ Under her leadership and with the aid of her husband, John Hooker, an eminent lawyer, legislation had been secured giving mothers equal guardianship of their children and wives full control of their property and earnings. ”

“ The fight over this measure had been made with skill and courage by the women against the most determined opposition on the part of the Republican "machine," which since 1900 had com- pletely controlled both Houses. The chairman of the Republican State Central Committee, John Henry Roraback, and Major John Buckley, secretary to the Governor, were accounted by the women their most bitter enemies and Speaker of the House James F. Walsh used his large powers to defeat the suffrage bills. Of the fifteen im- portant House committees anti-suffragists held eleven of the chairmanships. ”