ntested but
finally passed by 251 yeas, 211 nays, amidst cheers and the waving of
hats.

In 1894 was held the great Midwinter Fair, and the Woman's Congress
Auxiliary became an intellectual focus for gifted women. It culminated
in the brilliant convocation which was in session in Golden Gate Hall,
San Francisco, for a week in May. Its promoters were Mrs. John Vance
Cheney, Mrs. Horace Davis, Mrs. Cooper, Miss Hattie Cooper, Mrs. Mary
S. Sperry, Mrs. Lovell White, Mrs. William A. Keith, Mrs. Tupper
Wilkes, Mrs. Alice Moore McComas, Mrs. Gordon and others. Mrs. Irving
M. Scott, president of Sorosis, received the Congress socially in her
elegant home. A large reception was given also at the magnificent
country residence of Mrs. Frank M. Smith in East Oakland.

The Congress was followed by a mass meeting under the auspices of the
suffrage societies. The hall would scarcely hold the audiences, which
were especially distinguished by the large number of men, and noted
men were also among the speakers. The venerable Alfred Cridge of the
Single Tax League created much interest by a practical illustration of
proportional representation, the candidates for president and
vice-president being Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, the
women doing the voting. Letters of regret at inability to be present
but expressing sympathy with the object of the meeting were received
from Gov. James H. Budd, President David Starr Jordan of Leland
Stanford University, U. S. Senator Perkins, Supreme Judge McFarland,
Judge James G. Maguire and others.

This year the State Association elected as its president Mrs. Nellie
Holbrook Blinn, who had been an ardent worker in the cause for a
number of years and a prominent speaker for the Republican party. Mrs.
Annie K. Bidwell was made vice-president; Mrs. Hester A. Harland,
recording secretary; Mrs. Emily Pitt Stevens, corresponding secretary;
Mrs. Emma Gregory, treasurer. Meetings were held every fortnight in
St. George's Hall. In a short time General Warfield, proprietor of the
California Hotel, offered the society the use of its parlors, which
was gladly accepted.

In August a reception was given in honor of the National Press
Association, then holding a convention in San Francisco, at which
addresses were made by Mayor Adolph Sutro, the Hon. Samuel Shortridge
and others. During the autumn a number of large and enthusiastic
meetings were held.

In May, 1895, Miss Susan B. Anthony and the R