o addressed in the city auditorium an immense
gathering of all classes. The past year had been a busy one. On April
9, 1918, the State Republican convention included a suffrage plank in
its platform. On the 10th representative suffragists appeared at the
Democratic State convention urging one but the plea fell upon dull
ears and unresponsive hearts. The latter part of May the State
Federation of Women's Clubs with 8,000 members endorsed equal suffrage
with but two dissenting votes. In June the State Trained Nurses
Association unanimously endorsed it. During September petitions signed
by hundreds of college students and letters and telegrams representing
hundreds of individuals were dispatched to U. S. Senators Simmons and
Overman in Washington urging them to vote for the Federal Suffrage
Amendment. On the petition from one college the names represented 107
cities and towns in the State. The one from the State Normal College
carried the signatures of 576 out of the 650 women students. The
petition of citizens from Raleigh bore the names of two daughters of
Senator Simmons. The Senators were not moved. In all that memorable
struggle only one North Carolina Representative, Zebulon Weaver, a
Democrat of Asheville, voted "aye." Edwin C. Webb of Cleveland county,
as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, was a powerful foe.

Attempts were made to form suffrage leagues in different women's
colleges, where the students were eager to be organized, but in no
case would the trustees permit it. In November the State League
telegraphed President Wilson urging the appointment of Mrs. Carrie
Chapman Catt, national president, on the Peace Commission. In December
the Farmers' Union, representing 17,000 farmers, endorsed equal
suffrage. During the year the cause was advanced by the addresses of
Dr. Shaw and Miss Jeannette Rankin, the first woman Representative in
Congress. At this time the State League carried on its letterhead an
Advisory Committee of Men such as never had been formed in any other
State. The list of ninety-six names included Secretary of the Navy
Josephus Daniels, Mr. Bryan, Chief Justice Clark, the most eminent
members of the legal, medical and clerical professions, public
officials and business men.

The annual convention met in the O. Henry Hotel, Greensboro, Jan. 27,
28, 1920, Miss Weil presiding. A brilliant banquet was attended by a
large number of representative men and women. The honorary president,
Mrs. D