invitation from the president, Judge Palmer in a
somewhat excited manner stated his objections to woman's voting.
He wanted some guarantee that good would result from giving her
the ballot. He thought "she did not understand driving, and would
upset the sleigh. Men had always rowed the boat, and therefore
always should. Men had more force and muscle than women, and
therefore should have all the power in their hands." He spoke of
himself as the guardian of his wife, and said she did not want to
vote. After talking an hour in this style, he took his seat,
greatly to the relief of his hearers. Mrs. Cutler, in her calm,
dignified, deliberate manner, answered his arguments. She proved
conclusively that muscular force was not the power most needed in
our government. If it were, all the little, weak men and women,
no matter how intellectual must stand aside, and let only the
strong, muscular do the voting and governing. In clearness of
perception, and readiness of debate, she distanced her opponent
altogether in the opinion of the convention.

The first annual meeting of the State Society was held at Des
Moines, October 19, 1871. Mrs. Bloomer presided[408] in the
absence of the president, Gen. O'Connor. Speakers had been
engaged for this convention, a good representation secured, and
every arrangement made for a successful meeting. And such it was,
barring a difference of opinion among the friends of the movement
as to what questions should properly come before a society whose
only object, as declared in its constitution, was to secure
suffrage for women. The following letters were received:

IOWA CITY, October 11, 1871.

Mrs. ANNIE SAVERY--_Dear Madam_: Your kind and very
flattering invitation to address the Woman's State Suffrage
Convention, in Des Moines, reached me just prior to my
departure for this city, and I avail myself of my first
leisure to respond. It would not only give me great
pleasure, but I should esteem it among my higher duties to
accept your invitation, and give my emphatic endorsement to
the great reform movement represented by the woman suffrage
convention, were it at all practicable. But I have just
reached my new charge, and can not dispose of i