s. Catt ruled was permissible under the
dual character of the National Association's constitution.

The secretary entered into active correspondence with individuals in
all sections of the State known to be favorable to suffrage, but all
efforts to secure clubs were unsuccessful. The Era Club, therefore,
extended its membership over the State in order that representation in
the national suffrage conventions could be state-wide. It had a
standing Legislative Committee and for thirteen years its activities
constituted the work of a State association. In 1904, Mrs. Merrick,
Louisiana's pioneer suffragist, was made honorary president; Miss Kate
M. Gordon, president; Mrs. James McConnell, vice-president; Mrs.
Armand Romain, corresponding secretary; Miss Jean Gordon, recording
secretary; Mrs. Lucretia Horner (now Mrs. James McBride), treasurer.
There was no change in this board until 1913 except that on the death
of Mrs. Romain in 1908 Mrs. Judith Hyams Douglas was appointed in her
place.

Clubs were formed during the years in various towns, but did not
survive, until in 1913 a league was organized in Shreveport which did
excellent work under its presidents, Mrs. S. B. Hicks, Mrs. S. P.
Weaver and Mrs. J. M. Henry. The first State convention was held Nov.
12, 1913, in New Orleans, and the following officers were elected:
Miss Jean Gordon, president; Mrs. George Wesley Smith, Rayville; Mrs.
James C. Wooten, Monroe; Mrs. Louis Hackenjos, Alexandria,
vice-presidents; Mrs. R. M. Carruth, New Roads, corresponding
secretary; Miss Lois Janvier, New Orleans, recording secretary; Miss
Olivia Munson, Napoleonville, treasurer; Mrs. Fannie Wolfson,
Coushatta, auditor.

This board was unchanged until 1915, when Mrs. Clarence King of
Shreveport became treasurer and Mrs. M. H. Lawless of Garden City and
Mrs. D. C. Scarborough of Natchitoches, auditors. There was no further
change until 1920, when Mrs. McBride became treasurer and Mrs. Horace
Wilkinson took Mrs. Scarborough's place. State conventions met in
Alexandria in 1914 and in Shreveport in 1915. Conferences were held in
twenty-five parishes in anticipation of the proposed constitutional
convention of 1915. A convention was held in Alexandria in July, 1918,
and chairmen were appointed in forty-eight parishes in preparation for
the State amendment campaign.

In reviewing the history of woman suffrage in Louisiana three factors
stand out prominently as influences that molded a favor