yourself, I remain yours truly,

EMMA C. BASCOM.

In this, as in many other States there was a prolonged struggle
over the equal rights of women in the courts. The first woman to
practice law in Wisconsin was Lavinia Goodell. She was admitted
in the First Judicial Circuit Court, June 17, 1874, Judge H. S.
Conger, presiding. She commenced practicing in Janesville. The
following year she had a case which was appealed to the Supreme
Court. When the appeal was made, Miss Goodell applied to the
Supreme Court for the right to go with her case. She argued her
own case and based her claim upon a statute which provides, "That
words of the masculine gender may be applied to females; unless
such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest
intention of the legislature." After she had shown clearly that
she had an equal right in the courts in an able and unanswerable
argument, Judge Ryan considered her application for two months
and rendered an adverse decision. As a result of the agitation
induced by this case, the legislature of 1877 passed a law that
"no person shall be refused admission to the bar of this State on
account of sex," thus showing the power of the legislative branch
of the government to over-ride all judicial decisions. Miss
Goodell immediately commenced practice in the Supreme Court. She
reviewed the judicial decision with keen satire,[430] and ably
illustrated the comparative capacity of an educated man and woman
to reason logically on American jurisprudence and constitutional
law.

In the early part of 1879 Kate Kane and Angie J. King were
admitted to the bar. Miss Kane studied in a law office and in the
law school of Michigan University. She practiced in Milwaukee
until 1883, when she located in Chicago. Miss King practices in
Janesville and was at first associated with Miss Goodell, under
the name of Goodell & King. Cora Hurtz, Oshkosh, was admitted and
began practice in 1882.

FOOTNOTES:

[418] Mrs. Wolcott is a remarkable woman, of rare intelligence,
keen moral perceptions and most imposing presence. Much of her
success in life is due no doubt to her gracious manners. Her
graceful figure, classic face, rich voice and choice language make
her attractive in the best social circles,