ntral Committee was formed with Miss Rankin
as temporary chairman and Miss Auerbach as temporary secretary. Later
Mrs. Grace Smith was made treasurer. The first meeting was called in
the studio of Miss Mary C. Wheeler of Helena. These women attended the
State conventions of the Republican, Democratic and Progressive
parties and succeeded in getting planks in their platforms for a
suffrage amendment to the State constitution. Then all nominees were
circularized and asked to stand by their party platforms. Miss Rankin
went over the State quietly, stopping in every county seat and
searching out women willing to work. She secured the consent of Thomas
Stout to introduce the bill at the next session.

In January, 1913, the women met in Helena and formed a permanent State
organization, electing the following officers: Chairman, Miss Rankin,
Missoula; assistant chairmen, Mrs. Louis P. Sanders, Butte; Mrs. G. M.
Gillmore, Glendive; secretary, Mrs. Harvey Coit, Big Timber;
treasurer, Mrs. Wilbur L. Smith, Helena; finance chairman, Mrs.
Wallace Perham, Glendive; press chairman, Miss Auerbach. The
organization never had any constitution or by-laws. Letters from all
over the State were written to Governor S. V. Stewart and on January
7 the women went in a body to hear his Message, in which he
recommended that Montana women should be enfranchised. With no
discussion the resolution to submit an amendment to the voters passed
the Senate by 26 ayes, two noes--J. E. Edwards and I. A. Leighton--and
was signed by the president, Lieutenant Governor W. W. McDowell, in
open session. In the House the vote was 74 ayes, two noes--Ronald
Higgins and John W. Blair. On January 25 it was signed by the
Governor.

On June 27 the second meeting of the State Central Committee was held
in Livingston, immediately following that of the State Federation of
Women's Clubs. Great progress in interest and organization was
reported from all parts of the State. The only new officers elected
were: Recording secretary, Mrs. John Willis of Glasgow; chairman of
literature, Miss Mary Agnes Cantwell of Hunters' Hot Springs. Chairmen
were appointed in each county and workers were sent into every
precinct. The third meeting of the Central Committee was held in Butte
September 22, 23, just before the State Fair, where it had a booth. It
was decided to open headquarters in Butte Feb. 1, 1914.

The fourth meeting was held in Big Timber February 14 and the fifth in
Lewi