a was carried on through
fairs, moving pictures, street speaking, etc. In 1914 the Men's Equal
Suffrage League was formed with Robert Treat Whitehouse of Portland
president and Ralph O. Brewster secretary. Many leading men of the
State joined this League, which helped in the legislative and campaign
work. The Methodist Episcopal Church endorsed woman suffrage at its
state conference.

In February, 1916, a Congressional conference was held in Portland in
the interest of the Federal Amendment, with Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt
in attendance and speaking at public meetings with Mrs. Maud Wood Park
and Mrs. Glendower Evans. It was attended by women from all parts of
the State and as a result of the great interest aroused many new
leagues were organized. Miss Bates resigned on account of ill health
in March and her term of office was finished by Mrs. Augusta M. Hunt
of Portland, who had always been deeply interested in the suffrage
cause. The National Association sent Mrs. Augusta Hughston, one of its
field directors, to put into operation a state-wide plan of
organization. At the State convention in Portland in October Mrs.
Katharine Reed Balentine, daughter of the Hon. Thomas B. Reed, was
elected president. The outlook seemed favorable for securing the
submission of a suffrage amendment to the voters. This year Mrs.
Deborah Knox Livingston of Bangor was appointed State organizer and
legislative chairman and work begun for this purpose.

From January 8th to 20th, 1917, the National American Association held
a suffrage school in Portland to prepare for the expected campaign.
The instructors were Mrs. Nettie R. Shuler and Mrs. Halsey W. Wilson,
its corresponding and recording secretaries, and Mrs. T. T. Cotnam.
The subjects taught were Suffrage History and Argument, Organization,
Publicity and Press, Money Raising and Parliamentary Law. This school
was attended by suffragists from different sections of the State.
Later Mrs. Edward S. Anthoine and Mrs. Henry W. Cobb of the State
association carried on suffrage schools in other towns and cities. On
February 9, 10, Mrs. Catt went to Portland to attend a board meeting
of the association at the home of the president, Mrs. Balentine, to
confer on the approaching campaign.

CAMPAIGN. In February, 1917, urged by the suffrage leaders, the
Legislature submitted the amendment. This had been done against the
urgent advice of Mrs. Catt, the national president, who knew of the
slight organ