00 in 1900, but after that time they were almost entirely given
up, as they had no effect. The resolution was introduced according to
custom in the Legislature of 1902. Also according to custom, not
always so carefully observed, the Senate passed the resolution by 28
to 16, this being the Senate's year for this courtesy, and the House
accepted the report recommending indefinite postponement.

In 1904 the resolution was defeated in the House and did not emerge
from the Senate committee. In 1906 this program was repeated. The
meeting of the Legislature was now changed to the odd years and in
1907 the above program was reversed. After this year the members
omitted even the customary graciousness of an understanding that one
body would pass it and the other kill it, thus keeping the women
friendly and dividing the responsibility for the defeat, and both
Houses in 1909 rejected it.

In 1911 the Senate treated the resolution in a most contemptuous
manner by voting to strike out the enacting clause and then passing
it. This was the last time it was defeated. The tide was changing and
even the most confirmed opponents knew that it was a rising and not a
falling tide. Fortunately most of the active workers who sat through
that humiliating experience lived to see the men who were responsible
for it either retired entirely from public life or so changed in
sentiment as to claim a place among those who "always believed in
woman suffrage."

The neighboring State of Kansas fully enfranchised its women in 1912,
as did several other western States, and favorable pressure was
growing very strong. In 1913 the resolution to submit the amendment
passed in the House on February 20 by a vote of 81 to 26 and in the
Senate on March 7 by a vote of 31 to 15. The deadlock was broken and
every suffragist rejoiced.

The resolution had to pass two Legislatures and in July, 1914, the
Republican State convention strongly urged the next one to pass it. In
1915 this was done, by the Senate on February 12 by a vote of 38 to
11, and by the House on the 23rd by one of 84 to 19. The date for the
referendum to the voters was set at the time of the primary elections,
June 5, 1916, over three years from the time the resolution was first
passed. After forty-five years thus far had the workers for woman
suffrage arrived.

* * * * *

The activities of the State association were at once turned to the
education of the voters.