s coming convention,
refuses to endorse woman suffrage; suppose the Democratic does
endorse it. My action with the Democrats would be just what it was
with the Populists of Kansas. I am for woman suffrage and will work
with any party which will help us. Remember I say 'with,' not
'for.'"

Miss Shaw finished her two months' engagement in Kansas and did not
return to that State. Mrs. Catt wrote Miss Anthony a few weeks after the
conventions:

It is remarkable the difference of opinion that is floating about.
We hear of Populists who are so mad about the plank they declare
they will go back to the Democratic party. Others, even those who
are suffragists, are so mad at the women for putting the plank
forward they say they will vote against the amendment. Democrats
say there can be no fusion and that will mean death to the Populist
party. Some Republicans say they will not vote for the amendment
because it is now a Populist question. Again some Republicans and
some Democrats say they will vote the Populist ticket because of
the plank. From all these varied ideas it is impossible to find out
whether we are better or worse off.... At any rate, the question
now has a political standing, and it will depend upon party
developments where we find ourselves. My own hope is that it may
bring the Republicans to time, but if the Populists say too much,
it may drive them to secret opposition, and then we are done for.

Miss Anthony took a much more cheerful view and replied to the various
letters:

At last one of the dominant parties in a State, and that one the
party in power, has adopted a woman suffrage amendment, and upon
that one plank I have planted my feet. The Republicans by ignoring
us give party sanction to every anti-suffrage man among them; while
the Populists' endorsement makes every anti-suffrage man among them
feel that he will be the better Populist if he vote "yes."...

Meantime, every Farmers' Alliance picnic, every school-house
meeting, will be on fire with the enthusiasm born of their party's
heroic action; for such it was, in defiance of their leaders'
command to imitate the Republicans and ignore the amendment. The
900 Republicans in the State convention obeyed their masters; while
68 more than one-half of the 606 Populists rebelled against theirs.