nderson, whose name has been
mentioned as voting for woman's ballot in the constitutional
conventions of 1871 and 1875:

OMAHA, October, 17.

Your esteemed favor inviting me to speak before the
convention at Kearney, October 18, 19, upon the subject of
the extension of suffrage to women, was duly received. I
have delayed replying to it until to day in the hope that my
professional engagements would permit me to meet with you at
Kearney. The continuing session of our District Court
prevents my absence at this time. I would like very much to
be with you at the meeting of your association. My desire,
however, would be to hear rather than to speak. Ten years
have passed since, with other members of the constitutional
convention of 1871, I met in argument those who opposed
striking the word "male" from the constitution of Nebraska.
In those days "the truth was mighty and prevailed," almost
to the extent of full success, for, as the result of our
effort, we saw the little band of thirteen increase to
thirty. I feel that there must be much of new thought and
rich argument growing from the agitation of the last ten
years, and to listen to those who, like yourself and many
other members of your association, have been in the
forefront of the battle for the right, would be most
interesting. But I must, for the present, forego the
pleasure of hearing you. I write merely to keep myself "on
the record" in the good fight. Now, as ever, I favor the
enfranchisement of women, the disfranchisement of ignorance.
I would both extend and contract the right to vote in our
republic; extend it so that intelligence without regard to
color or sex should rule, and contract it so that ignorance
should be ruled. If this be not the cure for the political
ills that threaten the permanency of American institutions,
then there is no cure. May Nebraska be the first of the
States to apply the remedy.

Very respectfully yours, CHARLES F. MANDERSON.

[Illustration: Clara Bewick Colby]

The association sent out its scouts, and as a result a convention