of such a movement at that early day were great. Lydia
Butler, wife of Governor Butler, was elected president, and
other representative women filled the various offices, but
after a short time it was deemed wise to disband, as
circumstances made it impossible to keep up an efficient
organization. Time and money were not plentiful with western
women, but we did what we could, and sent a petition to the
legislature that winter asking a resolution recommending to
the coming State convention to omit the word "male" from the
constitution. The petition was signed by about 1,000 women,
and received respectful attention from the legislature, and
speeches were made in its favor by several members. Among
others the speaker of the House, F. M. McDougal, favored the
resolution. Governor Butler sent a special message with the
petition, recommending the passage of the resolution, for
which Nebraska women will always honor him.

Next it was thought best to call a convention in the
interest of woman suffrage, to be held while the
constitutional convention should be in session the coming
summer. Two women were commissioned to prepare the call and
present it for the signatures of members of the legislature
who favored the measure. It was thought this course would
give dignity and importance to the call which would secure
attention throughout the State. The session of the
legislature was very exciting. Intrigue accomplished the
impeachment of a high State official, and others were being
dragged down. As it neared its close the political cauldron
boiled and bubbled with redoubled violence. It was more than
any woman dared do to approach it. Were not the political
fortunes and the sacred honor (?) of men in jeopardy?
Woman's rights sunk into insignificance. We subsided. Our
hour had not yet come.

Mrs. Butler says of the part she took at this time: "I
entertained the speakers because requested to, and found them so
pleasant and persuasive that I soon became a convert to their
views. The active and intelligent leaders at that time were
Mesdames Cropsey, Galey, Warner, Monell, Coda, and many others
whose n