Mormon alike, the suffrage which they had exercised for seventeen years. Naturally they were very indignant at being arbitrarily deprived of a vested right, but were obliged to submit. They were determined, however, not to do so tamely but to teach their sons, brothers and all others the value of equal suffrage, and to use every effort in their power toward securing it whenever Statehood should be conferred.
Mrs. Arthur Brown and Mrs. Emily S. Richards were appointed to represent the Territory at the National Suffrage Convention in Washington in 1888, and were there authorized to form an association uniform with those in various States and Territories. Heretofore it had not been considered necessary to organize, as women were already in possession of the ballot.
Mrs. Elizabeth Lyle Saxon and Mrs. Clara Bewick Colby who had been lecturing on suffrage in Oregon and Washington visited Salt Lake in September, 1888. They spoke in the theater, and on the following day a reception was tendered them if the Gardo House, where they had the opportunity of meeting socially between five and six hundred people, both Gentiles an Mormons, men and women. The same evening another large audience in the theater greeted them, and on the day succeeding at 10 A. M. there was a meeting for women only in the Assembly Hall. These meetings were held under the auspices of the Woman’s Relief Society, Mrs. Zina D. H. Young, president. Though they occurred at a time when the people were suffering from indignities heaped upon them because of unjust legislation, yet a strong impression was made on those (mostly Gentiles) who never previously had been converted to suffrage.
After careful deliberation and several preliminary meetings in the office of the Woman’s Exponent, a public call was made through the daily papers, signed by the most influential women of Salt Lake City, for a meeting in the Assembly Hall, Jan. 10, 1889, to organize a Territorial Suffrage Association. Mrs. Richards occupied the chair and Mrs. Lydia D. Alder was elected secretary pro tem. Prayer was offered and the old-fashioned hymn, “Know this that every soul is free,” was sung by the congregation.[1] One hundred names were enrolled and Mrs.
- ↑ The officers elected were: President, Margaret N. Caine; vice-presidents, Lydia D. Alder, Nellie R. Webber, Priscilla J. Riter; secretary, Cornelia N. Clayton; correspond-
