Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 3.djvu/309

 O’Connor; vice-presidents, Amelia Bloomer, Nettie Sanford, Mrs. F. W. Palmer, Joseph Dugdale and John P. Irish; secretary, Belle Mansfield; corresponding secretary, Annie C. Savery; executive committee, Mary A. P. Darwin, Mattie Griffith, Mrs. J. L. McCreery, Rev. Augusta Chapin and Charles Beardsley. The object of the organization was to secure the ballot for women by amendment of the Constitution of the State which limits the right of suffrage to men.

At the session of the Thirteenth General Assembly, in 1870, John P. Irish of Johnson County, introduced into the House of Representatives a joint resolution providing for submission to a vote of the people of an amendment to the Constitution, striking the word “male” from the article on suffrage. The resolution passed both branches and was approved by Governor Merrill. Before a proposed amendment to the Constitution becomes effective it must receive the approval of two successive General Assemblies and the votes of a majority of the electors voting at an election in which it is submitted for approval or rejection.

The first annual meeting of the State Society was held at Des Moines on the 19th of October, 1871, at which Amelia Bloomer presided in the absence of the president. There was a large attendance and many accessions were made to the membership. The principal speakers were Mrs. Delia Ruttkay, Nettie Sanford, Amelia Bloomer, Annie C. Savery and Mrs. Spaulding. When the Fourteenth General Assembly convened, John A. Kasson who was a most influential member, proposed to the officers of the Suffrage Society to secure a joint meeting of the Legislature at which the advocates of the amendment should have a hearing before that body and present their arguments for its consideration. For some reason not explained the managers neglected to avail themselves of the opportunity to plead their cause under such favorable circumstances. Had they made their arguments through