ere of course no members of the suffrage committee present at
the hearing. Mrs. Rufus Gibbs, president of the State Anti-Suffrage
Association, urged the defeat of ratification. William F. Marbury made
a strong argument against it. Senator Legg of Queen Anne's, who had
announced that he "would do just what Governor Ritchie desired," spoke
against it. Delegates Cobourn, Shartzer, Curry and the minority floor
leader, Vernon Simmons, explained how the suffragists had been
deceived and made an earnest plea for fair play.

It had been intended to bring the measure to a vote immediately but
the feeling against this was so intense that it was finally set for
the 17th. The suffragists demanded a hearing but the House committee
refused it and made an adverse report on the resolution to ratify. The
Senate committee granted one for the morning of the 17th. Long before
the hour set suffragists from many places began to gather. At 10:30
the larger delegations arrived, heralded by Farson's band, and marched
straight into the State House. Their number was so large that Chairman
Grason adjourned from the committee room to the Senate Chamber. Mrs.
Hooker presented resolutions and petitions for ratification from
organizations representing over 125,000 residents of Maryland. They
were from many State labor associations, patriotic societies, the
Grange, Federation of Women's Clubs, Women's Trade Union League,
Teachers' Association, Graduate Nurses, Goucher College Alumnae, clubs
for every conceivable purpose. She was followed by Mrs. Edward
Shoemaker, chairman of the women's State branch of the National
Council of Defense, who made an eloquent appeal for the proposed
amendment. Judge J. Harry Covington, member of Congress, gave a strong
legal and political argument, answering that of Mr. Marbury. Mrs.
Henry Zollinger represented the Women's Anti-Suffrage Association and
Judge Oscar Leser spoke in opposition. The Hon. Thomas Parran summed
up for the suffragists.

At twelve o'clock the suffragists went to the reception room of the
Governor, who announced that he wished to give them all the time that
they desired to present their case. The speakers were Mrs. Sydney M.
Cone, Mrs. Shoemaker, Miss Kate McLane, prominent in war work; Mrs.
Robert Moss, Guion Miller representing the Society of Friends; Mrs.
Robert H. Walker, the college women; Miss Hunt, the nurses; Miss Mary
Dubrau, the eastern shore. The Governor, answering, said that the
ratifi