d the women
organized Hobby clubs and advertised Ferguson's record. A strong
campaign was also waged in behalf of the suffrage candidate for
Superintendent of Public Instruction, Miss Annie Webb Blanton.
Congressional candidates and those for the Legislature came in for
especial attention. Thousands of women remained in the heat and dust
all summer to help in the campaign. As a result approximately 386,000
women registered in the seventeen days--surely a convincing answer to
the statement that "Southern women do not want to vote." Governor
Hobby was elected by an immense majority, as were Miss Blanton and all
of the candidates who had been espoused by the new voters.

In August women were heartily welcomed into the political conventions,
the men urging their appointment on all committees and even passing
resolutions of pleasure at having them participate! It was reported
that 233 out of 253 county conventions endorsed woman suffrage in some
form. In September, 1918, at the State Democratic convention in Waco
the women carried their demand for an endorsement of the Federal
Suffrage Amendment but not without strenuous opposition. In November
the Executive Board of the State Suffrage Association unanimously
passed a resolution emphasizing the one of its annual convention, that
the Legislature be requested to postpone a State referendum on woman
suffrage until after the war. The thought of one under present
conditions was appalling. A Ratification Committee which included the
heads of practically all of the women's organizations of state-wide
importance was formed. Mrs. Cunningham went to Washington for the
fourth time to assist the National Congressional Committee in the
effort for a Federal Amendment.

In January, 1919, the State Legislature met in regular session and the
poll in both Houses was entirely satisfactory in regard to ratifying
the Federal Amendment. The lawmakers were so gratified at the part
played by the women during the war and the "impeachment" that they
were ready and anxious to grant anything wanted of them, in fact were
disappointed that so little was asked. It was not deemed necessary to
have a large lobby and only Mrs. Jessie Daniel Ames of Georgetown came
to Austin to assist the chairman. A resolution offered by Judge W. H.
Bledsoe of Lubbock county and Senator R. M. Dudley of El Paso county,
which was enthusiastically adopted by both Houses the second day of
the session, after complimenting highl