ship.

The full returns gave the result as follows: For suffrage, 35,798;
against. 29,451; an affirmative majority of 6,347.

* * * * *

What were the causes of this unique success? First, it may be claimed
that Western men have more than others of that spirit of chivalry of
which the world has heard so much and seen so little. The human mind
inclines to justice, except when turned aside by prejudice, and there
is less prejudice against and a stronger belief in equal rights in the
newer communities. The pressure of hard times, culminating in the
panic of 1893, undoubtedly contributed to the success of the Populist
party, and to its influence the suffrage cause owes much. A new party
boldly accepts new principles while the old parties are struggling to
conform to precedents. This is shown clearly in both the legislative
and the popular vote. It was in the counties giving Populist
pluralities that the majority of 6,818 in favor of equal suffrage was
found. The counties which went Republican and Democratic gave a
majority of 471 against the measure. The fact, however, that in all
parties there were friends who were willing to work and speak for it,
and also the number of suffrage bills which had been introduced at
this time, showed that the State was ready for it.

[Illustration:

LAURA A. GREGG.
Omaha, Neb.

MARY WOOD SWIFT.
San Francisco, Cal.

ELLIS MEREDITH.
Denver, Colo.

EMMA SHAFTER HOWARD.
Oakland, Cal.

DR. CORA SMITH EATON.
Minneapolis, Minn.

]

The favorable influence of the W. C. T. U. and the labor organizations
has been referred to. There was but little active opposition from
women and, as the campaign progressed, indifference often turned into
sympathy. Women who had kept silent even at home for fear of ridicule
were surprised and delighted to hear their husbands express approval.
Those of all classes of society worked unitedly and well. They could
not have done this if they had not been used to organized effort in
other directions. How many doors stand open now through which women
freely pass, unmindful of the fact that they were unlocked by the
earlier workers in the suffrage cause!

The first feeling was the one common in all victories, that of joy and
exultation, but the weight of responsibility was soon felt. At the
first meeting of the executive board of the equal suffrage association
after