ng the needful regulations, to
frame them in such a way as to secure the representation of the
women of the State. This petition was unavailing. At the next
annual meeting, which was held at the time the constitutional
convention was in session, a resolution was adopted containing an
appeal to that body, earnestly requesting it to present to the
people of the State a constitution that should secure the right
of suffrage to its citizens without distinction of sex,
accompanied by a request for a hearing at such time and place as
the convention should decide. The request was willingly granted,
and an evening assigned for that purpose. An evening was also
given to the Citizens' Suffrage Society of Philadelphia for a
like object. These meetings were held in the hall of the
convention, and were largely attended by the members and by the
people generally. Addresses were delivered by various friends of
woman suffrage, as representatives of the two societies.[267]
Still another evening was granted the Pennsylvania association
for a meeting to be addressed by Bishop Matthew Simpson of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. The earnest and forcible words of the
eloquent speaker, and his solid array of arguments, made a deep
impression on the attentive audience.

In the convention the question was discussed during five
successive days. Hon. John M. Broomall introduced a provision in
favor of making the ballot free to men and women alike, proposing
that it be incorporated in the new constitution. This provision
was ably advocated by Mr. Broomall and many other members of the
convention. Their firm convictions in behalf of equal and exact
justice, however well sustained by sound reasoning and earnest
appeal, was an unequal match for the rooted conservatism which
recoiled from such a new departure. Although the measure was
defeated, its discussion had an influence. It was animated,
intelligent and exhaustive, and drew public attention more
directly to the subject than anything that had occurred since the
beginning of its agitation in the State.

The only act of the convention that gave hope to the friends of
impartial suffrage was the adoption of the third section of
Article X.: "Women twenty-one years of age and upwards shall be
eligible to any office of co