Page:History of Woman Suffrage Volume 6.djvu/194

l8o HISTORY OF WOMAN SUFFRAGE especially to the Democratic members, as the Republicans were obeying the call of their chief but the Democrats, on the sum- mons of a Republican Governor, laid aside their convictions and acted solely in the interest of the women of their State. The Assembly convened at 10 a. m. on Jan. 16, 1920, and more than a hundred suffrage workers from all parts of the State were present to see the fruition of their hopes. Miss Ben- bridge, president, and Mrs. Edwards, past president of the league, sat on the rostrum in the Senate Chamber beside Lieu- tenant Governor Edgar D. Bush, and in the House beside Speaker Jesse Eschbach, while the vote was being taken. The Senators enjoyed what was termed "the last wail" of the three anti-suffra- gists who voted no Kline, Haggerty and Franklin McCray of Indianapolis. Forty-three votes were cast in favor. The reso- lution was then taken to the House, which had organized and was waiting, and, after suspension of the rules so that the three necessary readings might be had in one day, it was passed by the unanimous vote of the 93 members present. It was signed at once by the presiding officers and at half past four of the same afternoon by Governor Goodrich, who wished in this way to show his agreement, though his signature was not legally neces- sary. Mrs. Goodrich, Miss Benbridge, many officers of the Franchise League and other interested suffragists witnessed the signing. With this act the long struggle for political rights for women which began in Indiana in the middle of the nineteenth century was finished. A large and enthusiastic meeting of the board of the Franchise League was then held and there was general congratulation. Miss Benbridge, who presided, said: 'The work that assured the special session and the result achieved was done, not by the little group of women in the Indianapolis headquarters, although their work was well done, but by the women over the State. Much credit for the success belongs to the Franchise League mem- bers everywhere, who have won the sentiment of their localities for woman suffrage."