ough always refused, they would repair to another room with the
few noble men who sustained them, and there duly cast their
ballots for justice and equality. On one occasion they polled
fifty votes--thirty-one women and nineteen men. In 1876 they
adopted a series of stirring resolutions with a patriotic
declaration of principles.

In 1873, large meetings were held, and a memorial sent to the
constitutional convention, asking for an amendment, that "the
right to vote shall not be denied or abridged to any adult
citizen except for crime, idiocy or lunacy." On January 12, 1874,
a political club was organized,[294] which has been active in
holding meetings and picnics, circulating petitions and tracts.
On July 4, 1874, a basket picnic was held in Ober and Allen's
grove, at which Gen. A. C. Voris was among the speakers.[295]
Hon. A. G. Riddle, whose early life was spent mostly in Newbury,
encouraged and assisted the work, both by voice and pen. During
the winter of 1878, Susan B. Anthony, in company with my husband
and myself, lectured in several towns under the auspices of the
club. Miss Eva L. Pinney, a native of Newbury, was employed by
the club to canvass the county. Her success was marked. In 1879
the treasury received a bequest of $50, from Reuben H. Ober, who,
though spending much of his time in the East, ever sustained a
live interest in the home society.[296]

Mrs. Sarah Langdon Williams sends us the following report from the
Toledo society:

In the winter of 1869, Mrs. Stanton and Miss Anthony returning
from an extended trip through the West, spent a few days in
Toledo. In addition to public meetings, their coming was the
occasion for many pleasant and hospitable gatherings. A large
circle of intelligent and earnest women were longing and waiting
to do something to speed the movement for woman suffrage, when
the coming of these pioneers of reform roused them to action. It
was like the match to the fire all ready for kindling, and an
organization was speedily effected.[297] From that time forward,
the air seemed magnetized with reform ideas, and to the loyal
band who stood true to their flag, new members were added from
time to time, and from this little band went forth an influence,
a steady force which has operated silently though continuo