the amendment in the platform. The Labor convention did likewise, Mrs.
Edith DeLong Jarmuth rendering valuable service on the committee. The
convention of the Republican party, the dominant one, was held in
Oakland. The Suffrage State Central Committee opened headquarters at
the Hotel Metropole simultaneously with the Republicans, much to their
chagrin. Rooms were also opened in the Bacon Block, financed by the
Oakland Amendment League, who were coming to lobby. Three hundred
women marched in the first suffrage parade in the State behind a
yellow silk suffrage banner, with the State coat of arms richly
embroidered on it by Mrs. Theodore Pinther, who carried it to reserved
seats in the front of the gallery of the McDonough Theater, where the
convention was held. Mrs. Sperry, Mrs. Pease of Colorado and a
committee of eight women representing as many separate interests had
spoken before the Resolutions Committee the evening before, with two
minutes allotted to each. Mrs. Josephine Manahan, Miss Younger, Mrs.
LaRue, Mrs. Barron and Mrs. O'Donnell composed the labor committee.
Filling the galleries and boxes the suffragists waited for the result.
In lieu of a suffrage plank the Republican chairman stepped forth and
in his pleasantest manner thanked the women for their attendance,
assuring them that by their grace and beauty they had contributed
materially to the success of the convention. Mrs. Pease, who was
seated in the front row, rose and answered that the women were not
there for bouquets but for justice and declined their thanks.

1909. This year the amendment was in the middle of the stream. It had
the promise of support from individual members but the party leaders
had declined assistance. The Progressives felt topheavy with reforms
and feared to be overbalanced if it were adopted as part of their
program. They had the majority in both Houses but failing to secure
any part of the organization they were left off of all important
committees and were on the outside. Apartments for the suffrage lobby,
under the care of Mrs. E. L. Campbell, were opened near the Capitol.
Delegates from many parts of the State were constantly arriving to
relieve the others, with the exception of Mrs. Coffin and Mrs. Moore,
who were in constant attendance and with other members of the
committees and Mrs. Elizabeth Lowe Watson, the president, carried the
burden of the work. Assemblyman Johnson again introduced the
amendment. A ruling was made