ieve
that as woman is human, she has human needs and rights, and
as she is held responsible to law, she should have an equal
voice in electing her law-makers.

We believe that the interests of man and woman are equally
improved in securing to both equal education, a place in the
trades and professions, equal honor and dignity everywhere;
and as the first step to this end is equality before the
law, we, your petitioners, ask that you extend to the women
of Indiana the right of suffrage, and thus enable one-half
the citizens of the State to protect themselves in their
most sacred rights.

Miss Way spoke briefly to the points in the memorial, urging the
legislators to give to women the same chances for improvement,
the same means for defense, and the same weapons for protection
that they have secured to themselves. Mrs. Swank also made a
logical and eloquent speech. No action was taken by the
legislature.

On January 22, 1875, the two houses of the General Assembly
convened in joint session, to receive petitions from the
"Temperance Women of Indiana," who were on this occasion
represented by Mrs. Zerelda G. Wallace, Mrs. Avaline and Mrs.
Robinson, who had been appointed by the State Temperance
Association. Mrs. Wallace read a memorial and stated that it was
signed by 10,000 women, and then argued its various points and
pleaded for the action of the "Honorable Body." Mrs. Avaline and
Mrs. Robinson followed in briefer, but not less earnest appeals.
The only answer elicited by these ladies was the assurance made
by Dr. Thompson, a member of the Senate, that he and his
colleagues were there, "not to represent their _consciences_, but
to represent their _constituents_," whose will was directly
opposed to the petition offered.

On January 3, 1877, a resolution to the effect that the
fourteenth and fifteenth amendments to the Constitution of the
United States give the ballot to women, came to its third reading
in the lower House. On that occasion, Mrs. Wallace and Dr. Mary
F. Thomas represented the women of Indiana, and Mrs. Mary A.
Livermore was present to lend the assistance of her oratory. The
speeches created a profound impression, but neither native nor
foreign eloquence wa