was never an active
working membership in the association of more than 2,500 but whenever
petitions were needed for an advanced step the signatures poured in by
the thousands and the Executive Committee was always assured of a
large support. In 1899 the names signed to a petition for equal
suffrage numbered 12,000.

As the grant of universal suffrage to men had been made only the
preceding year it was too much to expect it for women at once but
through the assistance of Liberals and Radicals with the help of many
Conservative members, and the efforts of women themselves, the
Municipal suffrage was given by the Parliament in May, 1901, to the
following: All who pay taxes to State or Municipality on an income of
400 kroner in the towns and 300 (about $71) in the country districts,
or have complete or partial joint property with a husband who pays
such tax. The amount was so small that a considerable proportion
received this vote. It carried eligibility to the municipal councils
and this year 98 women were elected and 160 "substitutes." The
National Executive Committee conducted an active campaign of
literature and lectures to rouse the women to exercise their new
privilege, and it continued to ask for the full suffrage. In 1905 the
momentous question arose of separation from Sweden. The women made
every effort to be permitted to vote in the referendum but in vain.
The National Suffrage Association then undertook the task of obtaining
the personal signatures of women to a petition in favor of separation
and on August 22 the Executive Committee presented it with an address
to the president of the Storthing with the statement that it was
signed by 300,000 women, a very large proportion of the adults. All
the members arose in tribute to the women.

As a result of this action by the National Association its petition in
1906 was received with much sympathy. During the summer before the
next Storthing was to be elected the Executive Committee carried on a
most strenuous campaign. The president and other members went to the
political meetings of all parties to secure endorsement. They called
attention to the granting of universal suffrage to women by the
Parliament of Finland in May of that year. The fifty branches
throughout the country held meetings and sent appeals. In August, when
the campaign was at its height, the International Woman Suffrage
Alliance held a most successful congress in Copenhagen, which was
enthusiastica