Senator James A. Reed but
to no avail. To disprove his statements that his constituents were not
in favor of woman suffrage, the Jackson county campaign committee,
with Mrs. J. B. White of Kansas City chairman, sent him the signatures
of 47,382 women and 12,583 men from his district, asking for it. When
the amendment came to a vote in 1918, Senator Wilfley and all the
Representatives voted in the affirmative except Meeker of St. Louis,
who died soon afterwards. In 1919 Senator Spencer and the entire
delegation in the House voted in favor. Senator Reed fought it every
time it came before the Senate.

Delegations of women appeared before the State conventions of both
parties on the same day in August, 1918, and asked for a suffrage
plank. Mrs. Miller, Mrs. O'Neil and Mrs. Stix attended the Democratic
convention in Jefferson City; Mrs. Gellhorn and Mrs. Grossman,
assisted by others, looked after the Republican convention in St.
Louis. They were invited to speak and each party put a very good
suffrage plank in its platform.

1919. Work for Presidential suffrage was continued. Extra pressure was
brought to bear on the Senate. Two national organizers, Miss Ames and
Miss Alma Sasse, were sent into various senatorial districts to enlist
the help of influential people and when the time came for a vote it
undoubtedly was favorable pressure from home that kept some of the
Senators in line. When the General Assembly convened Jan. 8, 1919,
Governor Gardner recommended such suffrage legislation as the women
might desire. Through the courtesy of Lieutenant Governor Crossley,
President of the Senate, and S. F. O'Fallon, Speaker of the House, it
was the first bill introduced.

On February 6 the Presidential bill was put on the calendar over the
adverse report of the Election Committee, an action almost without
precedent. On the 11th the Speaker left the chair and delivered a
powerful address urging its passage. Representative Frank Farris also
made a strong speech in its favor and the final vote was 122 ayes, 8
noes. The opposition used every device to prevent it from being
brought up for the final reading in the Senate but finally the time
was set for March 28. On that date two of the Senators favoring it
were absent and their votes were absolutely necessary. Senator David
W. Stark was at his home in Westline and Senator Howard Gray had been
called on important business to Caruthersville. On the 27th Mrs.
Miller, Mrs. O'Neil, Mrs.