n's property, earnings, rights of action, eligibility to paying
positions, selection of family home, guardianship of children and many
others where women's interests are involved shows that these so-called
privileges usually give women less than men enjoy in the same States
and that the vote in their own hands is the only assurance of equal
privilege." After referring to the laws in other States Mrs. McCulloch
made a thorough analysis of those relating to women in Louisiana,
showing them to be archaic and unjust and wholly without special
privileges.

The address of M. J. Sanders, president of the Progressive Union, was
enthusiastically received as representing the best thought of advanced
Southern men. He said in beginning: "I believe my own state of mind on
the woman suffrage question when I attended your first public meeting
last Thursday evening represented fairly the average male opinion in
this city--one of moderate ignorance and considerable indifference.
Since listening to the addresses here I have had my ignorance largely
dispelled and my indifference dissipated, I hope forever. It has been
my lot to attend meetings all over the country but never in my life
have I heard such eloquence, such logic and such glorious oratory as
in this hall during this convention. A cause that can bring forth
such talent and devotion must have in it a great truth.... I have come
now to see that the franchise is not an end but a means to an end;
that the object of these women is not merely to escape injustice done
to themselves but to be able to take part in the great work of reform
which is calling for the best energies of the nation. I have seen
sufficient of the women who are working in this fight for suffrage to
believe that hand-in-hand with earnest men, as co-workers and equals,
in no way subordinate, they can furnish brains and power to remove a
vast load of the iniquities and inequalities of life and even in our
generation lift this country to a plane of civilization wherein the
masses shall have a chance for happiness and freedom."

In explaining the absence of Dr. Julia Holmes Smith of Chicago Dr.
Shaw said: "She is detained because of illness of her husband and like
a good wife she puts him first and the convention second." Mrs.
Charlotte Perkins Gilman (N. Y.) spoke on the Duties of Today,
outlining her address by saying: "The strongest feeling of most women
is the sense of duty. The reason they do not see the practica