g he was sustained by a tie vote
and the case was referred to the Committee on Privileges and
Elections.

When Senator Bloch reached Chicago he found that not only a special
train but also an airship were awaiting him.[205] He chose the train
and made the trip with a speed that was said to have broken all
records. He arrived on March 10 and took his seat in the Senate amid
cheers from crowded galleries. The corridors were thronged and even
the floor of the Senate was crowded with guests, many of them women.
Then followed a most dramatic debate of several hours, as each side
tried to get the advantage. Montgomery was not permitted to take his
seat and at 6 o'clock in the afternoon the vote was taken--16 ayes, 13
noes, one opponent changing his vote when he saw the resolution would
pass.

After the Senate vote a second was secured in the House by the
opponents of the motion to reconsider, which resulted in a larger
favorable majority than the first.

Harvey W. Harmer of Clarksburg, who had charge of the resolution in
the Senate and W. S. John of Morgantown in the House, deserve the
warmest gratitude of the women. It was not an ordinary vote that the
members gave but one which stood the test for days and against the
most determined opposition. Too much praise can not be given to
Governor Cornwell for calling the special session and for unyieldingly
standing by the cause. The Democratic State chairman, C. L. Shaver,
although unable to be present, gave splendid help. The men outside the
Legislature who gave their time unstintedly, and were present,
cooperating with the Ratification Committee of the Equal Suffrage
Association, were State chairman of the Republican Committee, W. E.
Baker; Secretary of State Young, former Minister to Venezuela; Elliott
Northcott, mayor of Charleston; ex-Governor A. B. White; U. S. Senator
Howard Sutherland; Major John Bond; National Republican Committeeman
Virgil L. Highland; Congressman M. M. Neely; Mayor Hall and Jesse B.
Sullivan, a prominent newspaper correspondent. The best legal and
editorial assistance was given generously by the Hon. Fred O. Blue,
the Hon. Clyde B. Johnson and former U. S. Senator W. E. Chilton. Boyd
Jarrell, editor of the Huntington _Herald Dispatch_, was constantly on
the firing line.

The chairman of the Ratification Committee had a herculean task during
these strenuous days and after they were over a letter of appreciation
of her services was sent to Mrs. Catt