Page:History of Woman Suffrage Volume 5.djvu/697

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HISTORY OF WOMAN SUFFRAGE.

WOMAN SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES 659 lamy, former member of the Wyoming Legislature. The most notable of the exercises was the fine pageant in the Court of Abundance on the closing night. This court was a most beauti- ful place for scenic display, the arrangement of the platform, lights and decorations all contributing to make any function there an enchanting scene. Mrs. Colby had prepared a com- prehensive lecture on Woman's Part in the Building of America, and. with the assistance of a skilful specialist, Mrs. Andrea Hofer, had arranged a memorable entertainment. She stood on the pedestal of a massive column while she gave her lecture, which was illustrated by tableaus on the platform in the presence of a large audience. The congress was continued at San Diego with largely attended meetings. The history of Federal Suffrage would not be complete with- out some mention of the work of Miss Laura Clay and her sister, Mrs. Sarah Clay Bennett, of Kentucky, who advocated the idea of Federal Suffrage even before the forming of the association and long worked for a U. S. Elections Bill. Miss Clay's maintenance of the Federal suffrage principles, her writings and her strong personality were a guarantee to many of the southern women that no infringement of the State's rights idea was in- tended. By Aug. 26, 1920, the Federal Amendment had been sub- mitted by Congress and ratified. All the women of the United States were fully enfranchised and the association had no longer any reason for being. [Prepared by the Rev. Olympia Brown.] UNITED STATES ELECTIONS BILL. From the time the National Woman Suffrage Association was organized to secure the enfranchisement of women by amending tin- 1-Vderal Constitution there were aim mi; its members those who did not favor this method because it was contrary to the doctrine ii^hts. They did, however, want Congress to provide that woman should vote for its own Representatives, which d l>e done simply by a Law requiring only a majority vote of each I louse. From the early 8o's this group was led by Miss Laura < lay and Mrs. Sarah Clay Bennett of Kentucky. There was no doubt that Congress had authority over the election of its