he
platform. James G. Gillette, nominated for Governor, approached the
women and pledged himself, if elected, to do all he could to carry
through the amendment. Later, at Sacramento, the Democratic
convention, under the leadership of Thomas E. Hayden, Albert Johnson,
Max Popper and John Sweeny, incorporated the amendment in the
platform. It was placed in the platform of the Labor party, Miss Maud
Younger and Mrs. Francis S. Gibson assisting the Legislative
Committee.

1907. The Legislature of this year was the last under the complete
domination of the corrupt political forces. The graft prosecution in
San Francisco was in full swing, the result of which was an awakened
public conscience. Every legislator had been interviewed and the San
Francisco delegation was pledged in favor of the suffrage amendment.
It was introduced by Senator Leroy Wright of San Diego and in the
House of Grove L. Johnson of Sacramento the first week of the session.
Mrs. Coffin, Mrs. Moore and Thomas E. Hayden, an attorney retained by
the State association, were the lobby maintained in Sacramento during
the entire session. The amendment was reported favorably out of
committee in both Houses. When the roll was called in the House it was
discovered that the San Francisco delegates had received orders and
the entire delegation voted "no." The result was a bare majority and
not two-thirds. On demand of the suffrage lobby Mr. Johnson obtained
reconsideration. When the vote was next taken it showed that the San
Francisco delegation had been again instructed and voted solid for the
amendment, giving the necessary two-thirds, 54 to 16. Thus was this
city able to control every measure.

Then began the long struggle in the Senate. President pro tem. Edward
I. Wolf of San Francisco and Senator J. B. Sanford of Ukiah,
Republican and Democratic senior Senators, were bitter opponents of
the amendment of long years' standing. After weeks of effort, with a
deadlock of constantly changing votes and always "one more to get," it
was decided to appeal to Governor Gillette to redeem his pledge of
help and Mrs. Coffin and Mr. Hayden called upon him at the Capitol. He
received them without rising or inviting them to be seated and wholly
repudiated the promises he had made to the women at the Republican
convention, saying he was only fooling! The amendment went down to
defeat, lacking two votes.

1908. The Democratic convention in Stockton in 1908 again incorporated