to feel the great
evil of woman's utter dependence on man for the necessary means to
aid reform movements. I never before took in so fully the grand
idea of pecuniary independence. Woman must have a purse of her own,
and how can this be so long as the law denies to the wife all right
to both the individual and the joint earnings? Reflections like
these convince me that there is no true freedom for woman without
the possession of equal property rights, and that these can be
obtained only through legislation. If this is so, then the sooner
the demand is made, the sooner it will be granted. It must be done
by petition, and this, too, of the very next legislature. How can
the work be started? We must hold a convention and adopt some plan
of united action.

With her, to think was always to act. She reached Rochester on the
morning of election day, and went at once to the home of William and
Mary Hallowell, that home whose doors never were closed to her, where
for more than fifty years she was welcome day or night, where she
always turned for advice, assistance and sympathy and ever found them
in the fullest measure. She explained to them her idea of calling a
meeting in Rochester for the specific purpose of starting a petition
for more extended property rights to women. They encouraged the
project, and she then turned toward her other Mecca, the home of Maria
G. Porter. Three of the Porter sisters kept a private school in this
city for thirty years, while the eldest, Maria, made a home for them
and also took a select class of boarders. This was a literary center,
she often invited Miss Anthony to meet her distinguished guests, and
ever encouraged and sustained her public work. Mr. Channing was
boarding here, and when Miss Anthony unfolded her plan, he exclaimed,
"Capital! Capital!" and at once prepared an eloquent call for the
convention. This meant for her the writing of letters to scores of
influential people asking their signatures, which were almost
invariably given, and was followed by all the drudgery necessary for
every meeting of this kind.

[Autograph:

W. H. Channing]

The convention opened Nov. 30 at Corinthian Hall, Rev. May presiding
and Rev. Channing the leading spirit. Two forms of the petition were
adopted, one for the just and equal rights of women in regard to wages
and children; the other for the right of suffrage. Miss Anthony was
appointed one of th