The Federal Suffrage Association
In 1902 the writer met Mrs. Colby in Washington. It was decided to present the federal subject in a different way, seeking for women everything Congress has power to grant, as well as the right to vote. Accordingly, the Federal Woman's Equality Association was formed, with Olympia Brown and afterwards Belva Lockwood as president, and Clara B. Colby, corresponding secretary, an office which she held until her death, September 7, 1916.
Later it was deemed best to return to the original name, in order, as Mrs. Colby said, "to relate the organization to the former work of the Federal Suffrage Association of the United States," and Rev. Olympia Brown was elected president. Since 1902 the subject of woman's right to vote for national officers has been continually before Congress. No session has been allowed to pass without attention called to this bill. Congressmen have been interviewed, hearings have been held, literature distributed, members of the society gained, and many congressman have become earnest advocates of the measure.
In 1904 an extended hearing was held before committees in both Senate and House. At this time Mrs. Colby made a thorough and exhaustive study of the subject, with quotations from the decisions of the courts, and from historical documents which proved to be most convincing, so much so that the
