LS; the NATIONAL CONSUMERS' LEAGUE; the CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR
SOCIETY; the EPWORTH LEAGUE; the YOUNG PEOPLE'S UNION; the KING'S
DAUGHTERS AND SONS; the ANTI-VIVISECTION SOCIETY.

The above list shows that women are organized for carrying forward
practically every department of the world's work, and that their
associations have been steadily increasing in number, size and scope
during the past half century. In the early years the Woman Suffrage
Association not only stood alone in its advocacy of enfranchisement
but was regarded with the most strenuous disapproval by all other
organizations of women. In 1881, the Woman's Christian Temperance
Union, principally through the influence of its president, Miss
Frances E. Willard, established a department of franchise, but it was
many years afterwards before the idea of the ballot was received with
favor by any large number of its members. The sentiment is not now
unanimous, but considered as a body there are no more active workers
for woman suffrage. The National Council of Women has no platform, but
its leaders and also those of the International Council are prominent
advocates of the franchise. These are now found in greater or less
numbers in all the organizations but not one of them includes the
suffrage among the specific objects for which it works. As these
broaden the associations frequently find it necessary to appeal to
Legislative bodies, and the result is usually a significant lesson in
the disadvantage of being without political influence. The Federation
of Clubs, organized in 1890, in its endeavor to secure the passage of
bills for various purposes, has applied to more Legislatures, during
the past few years, than has the Suffrage Association. It is indeed a
most interesting study to watch the evolution of the so-called women's
clubs. Formed at first merely for a superficial literary culture, they
widened by degrees into a study of practical matters related to law
and economics. From these it was but a step into civics, where they
are to-day, struggling to improve municipal, and indirectly national
conditions and gradually having revealed to them the narrow
limitations of woman's power in public affairs.

With the exception possibly of the church missionary societies and the
various lodges, there is not one of these associations of women which
does not depend in a greater or less measure on City Councils, State
Legislatures or the National Congress for assistance i