and prominent individuals in the few States where they did not, to
make two copies of each petition on their own official paper, sign
them on behalf of the suffragists of the State, and return them to me
to be sent to the members of Congress from the respective districts.
This was done almost without exception and these petitions were
presented by various members, one copy in the Senate and one in the
House. Of all the State petitions, the most interesting was that of
Wyoming, which, in default of a suffrage association (none being
needed) was signed by every State officer, from the Governor down, by
several United States officials, and by many of the most influential
men and women. With it came a letter from the wife of ex-U. S. Senator
Joseph M. Carey, who collected these names, saying the number was
limited only by the brief space of time allowed.

"In all, more than two hundred petitions for woman suffrage from
various associations were thus sent to Congress in 1900, representing
millions of individuals. Many cordial responses were received from
members, and promises of assistance should the question come before
Congress, but there is no record of the slightest attempt by any
member to bring it before that body.

"In doing this work I wrote fully a thousand letters to associations
and individuals, in all of which I placed some of our best printed
literature. There was a thorough stirring up of public sentiment which
must have definite results in time, for it should not be forgotten
that in addressing conventions we appeal to the chosen leaders of
thought and work from many cities and States, and so set in motion an
ever-widening circle of agitation in countless localities."

A most valuable means of educating public sentiment is the securing of
a Woman's Day at Chautauqua Assemblies and State and county fairs,
when good speakers present the "woman question" in its various phases,
including always the need for enfranchisement. The Rev. Anna Howard
Shaw and Mrs. Chapman Catt, the leading orators of the country, have
addressed Chautauquas in all parts of the United States, as well as
countless other large gatherings which have no connection with
suffrage, being thus enabled to propagate the principle over a vast
area. It can be seen from the above resume that the ground of effort
is widely extended and that the harvest is ripening, but alas, there
is a constant repetition of the old, old cry, "The laborers are few."