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638 HISTORY OF WOMAN SUFFRAGE creased to ten, seven of whom were pledged to vote for the amendment. Some of the vacancies were filled by friends and some by foes but there was a net loss to it of one. Nevertheless no means were left untried to obtain help from individuals, com- mittees and organizations with influence. Through the national headquarters in New York a petition signed by a thousand men of nation wide reputation was obtained and presented to the Senate. Among the most important favor- able resolutions adopted were those by the Democratic National Committee Feb. n, 1918; by the Republican National Commit- tee February 12; by the Democratic Congressional Committee June 4; by the model State platforms of the Republican and Democratic parties in Indiana in May and June ; by the Republi- can Congressional Committee; by the General Federation of Women's Clubs May 3; by the American Federation of Labor June 14. Will H. Hays, newly elected chairman of the Republi- can National Committee, gave interviews in favor and worked diligently in many other ways for its success, as did Vance Mc- Cormick, former chairman, and Homer Cummings, present chair- man of the National Democratic Committee, and many other men conspicuous in public life. It was finally decided to take a vote on May 10 but on the Qth so serious a fight in opposition had developed that it was con- sidered best to postpone it. By June 27 the outlook was so favor- able that the amendment was brought before the Senate. Sena- tors Poindexter (Wash.) and Thompson (Kans.) spoke in favor, Brandegee (Conn.) in opposition. A wrangle over "pairs" fol- lowed and Reed (Mo.) launched a "filibuster." After he had spoken two hours Chairman Jones saw that the situation was hopeless and withdrew his motion. During the summer representatives of the National Association obtained in Delaware a petition of over 11,000 to Senators Wol- cott and Saulsbury to support the amendment. Petitions poured in on other opposing Senators and influence of many kinds was exerted. Only two more votes were needed and it seemed im- portant to put the amendment through before the fall election. On August 24 a conference of Republican Senators was held in Washington to elect a floor leader in place of Senator Gallinger