oe for a month's work in the
State.

In January, 1897, the National Association held its convention in Des
Moines, with many noted women in attendance.[260] This gave a great
impetus to the work and had a decided effect upon sentiment in the
State, particularly on that of the daily papers in Des Moines, most of
which since this time have treated the cause with marked courtesy. At
the close of the convention fifty members were added to the city club.
The National Association heartily approved the plan of an active
campaign with a view to securing the submission of a suffrage
amendment from the Legislature. Under the directions of Mrs. Chapman
Catt, chairman of its organization committee, workers were sent into
the field to hold a series of conventions for the purpose of
perfecting the organization of the State. These resulted in county
societies in ninety-four of the ninety-nine counties and one hundred
new clubs. The speakers were the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, national
vice-president-at-large, and the Rev. Henrietta G. Moore of Ohio; the
managers, Miss Mary G. Hay of New York and Miss Laura A. Gregg of
Kansas. Mrs. Ballard and Mrs. Clara M. Richey each gave a month to
conducting meetings, and other Iowa women rendered valuable
assistance.

The annual meeting of 1897 took place in Des Moines, October 13-15.
Mrs. Chapman Catt, Miss Hay, Miss Moore and Mrs. Addie M. Johnson of
Missouri were present. Much enthusiasm was manifested and $1,400 were
raised to carry on the next year's work. It was decided to open
headquarters in Des Moines the first of January, 1898, with Mrs. Ina
Light Taylor as office secretary.

Beginning in April, 1898, the State association conducted a series of
conferences throughout the northern part of Iowa, employing as
speakers Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. Ballard; and as managers Miss Ella
Harrison of Missouri and Mrs. Richey. At the same time the National
Association sent into the southern part Miss Moore and Mrs. Martha A.
B. Conine of Colorado, as speakers, and Miss Gregg and Mrs. Jennie L.
Wilson as managers. The annual meeting was held in Council Bluffs,
October 19-21. Mrs. Evelyn H. Belden was made president.

During 1899 a large amount of work was done by correspondence. The
office of press superintendent was transferred to headquarters, from
which 200 newspapers were supplied each week with suffrage matter. Two
hundred and fifty clubs were in active existence. The convention met
in Mason City, O