ist
at all, must be sought only in the fundamental charter of
government--the Constitution of the United States. If not
found there, no inferior power or jurisdiction can legally
claim the right to exercise it.

4. But the Constitution of the United States, so far from
recognizing or permitting any denial or abridgment of the
privileges of citizens, expressly declares that "no State
shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the
privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States."

5. It follows that the provisions of the Missouri
constitution and registry law before recited are in conflict
with, and must yield to the paramount authority of, the
Constitution of the United States.

At a mass meeting held in St. Louis January 25, 1875, a
committee[387] was appointed to prepare an address to the people
of the State, setting forth the necessity of such action by the
constitutional convention, soon to assemble, as would insure to
all citizens the right of choice in their lawmakers and in the
officers whose duty it should be to execute the laws. The address
was prepared and widely circulated over the State. In June, the
convention being in session at Jefferson, Mrs. Minor, Miss
Couzins, and Mrs. Dickinson went to the capitol and were granted
a gracious hearing, but no action was conceded.

In May, 1879, the National Woman Suffrage Association held its
annual meeting at St. Louis, holding its session through the day,
morning, afternoon and evening, and so much interest was aroused
that on May 13 a local society was organized under the head of
the National Woman Suffrage Association for St. Louis,[388] with
Mrs. Minor president, which has continued to do most efficient
service to the present. During the summer of 1879, Mrs. Minor
refused to pay the tax assessed against her:

ST. LOUIS, MO., August 26, 1879.

Hon. DAVID POWERS, _President Board of Assessors_: I
honestly believe and conscientiously make oath that I have
not one dollars' worth of property subject to taxation. The
principle upon which this government rests is representation
before taxation. My property is denied representation, and
the