Page:History of Woman Suffrage Volume 6.djvu/329

MICHIGAN 315 After a brief respite, the suffragists took up the work of a registration "drive" for the spring election in April, when an amendment to weaken the prohibition law was to be voted on. The registration by women in some places was larger than that of men. Prohibition had been carried in 1916 by a majority of 68,624. At this election in 1919, with women voting, the ma- jority was over three times as large 207,520 and the amend- ment was defeated. The convention of the State Equal Suffrage Association met in Grand Rapids, April 3, 4, 1919, Mrs. Farrell presiding. The name was changed to the State League of Women Voters and Mrs. Brotherton was elected chairman. Plans for the approach- ing ratification campaign were made and she was authorized to secure chairmen for the new departments of work. The willing- ness of women to accept the various chairmanships was in marked contrast to the difficulties encountered during suffrage campaigns. RATIFICATION. The Federal Suffrage Amendment was sub- mitted by Congress June 4, 1919, and fortunately Governor Albert E. Sleeper had called a special session of the Legislature to convene on June 3. He was at once requested to submit the amendment for ratification and soon announced his willingness to do so. A recess had been taken over Sunday but each member received a letter from the League of Women Voters asking for a favorable vote and many cordial answers were received. The slature assembled at 2 o'clock on Tuesday, June 10. The Senate and House at once voted unanimously in favor of ratifi- cation. The same day the Wisconsin and Illinois Legislatures also ratified. These three States were the first to take action. LEGISLATIVE ACTION. 1903. A joint resolution to amend the State constitution by striking out the word "male" as a qualification for voters was introduced by Representative Nathan A. Lovell but was not reported out of the committees. 1905. A similar resolution was introduced by Representative rge E. Dewey but failed to pass by seven votes. ,i i. The same resolution received in the House 55 ayes, 44 noes, lacking the necessary two-thirds, and failed in the Senate by two votes. 1912. In the call for a special session Governor Osborn in-