Page:History of Woman Suffrage Volume 6.djvu/651

 TEXAS 635 from the following statement from D. K. Woodward, Jr., secre- tary of the Central Committee in charge of the campaign : The impeachment of former Governor Ferguson could not have been brought about without the cooperation of the women of the State. . . . Their work was under the direction of Mrs. Cunning- ham, president of the Texas Equal Suffrage Association, who came at once to Austin and established headquarters. The women were asked to reach the remote sections, to eradicate prejudice and leave understanding in its stead. . . . They did all that was asked of them and more. The most confirmed skeptic on the question of women's participation in public life must have been converted had he witnessed the unselfish, tireless, efficient work of these hundreds of devoted women and the striking ability of their leader, whose genius for organization, knowledge of public affairs and public men of Texas and sound judgment on all questions of policy were of untold value. . . .* Then came the entrance of the United States into the World War and the suffragists consecrated time, strength, life itself if necessary to its demands. The call to the annual convention held in Waco in May, 1917, indicated with what directness and intelli- gence the women approached their added responsibilities. It was "a call to the colors," to work for the war. War and Woman's Service; What can we do? Our Need of the Ballot to do it; True Americanism, were among the subjects considered. It '1 to ask the War Department to abolish saloons in the soldiers' concentration and mobili/ation camps. Resolutions were id pledging "loyal and untiring support to the Government." The convention expressed itself in no uncertain tones in the following resolution telegraphed to President Wilson: "For ly seventy years the women of the t'nited States have tried rights' route with its long and tortuous path. Since the lature has repeatedly refused submission of the suf- frage amendment to the voters, thereby repudiating the State rights' principle of the Democratic party, the State Equal Suffrage nation hereby ur^es your support of the Federal Suft Amendment to enfranchise the women of our country." Mrs. Cunningham was literally conscripted president again, with a budget calling for the expenditure of $30,000 and only 1 It in a matter of much regret that the dramatic account sent of this remarkabl* campaign must be omitted because of the pressing lack of space. Ed.