And thus the women of Idaho were
enfranchised!

The total expenses of this campaign were less than $2,500.

The city election of Boise, in July, 1897, was the first after the
adoption of equal suffrage, and the woman vote was a most important
factor. The issue was that of public improvements. On this the
majority of women took sides in favor of progress, although the
_personnel_ of the tickets was such that it was thought they would
generally vote the other way; and to them belongs the credit of the
victory.

The first State election under equal suffrage was in 1898, and there
was very general participation by women. In all the counties their
clubs did effective work and exercised a good influence. The election
was noticeable for its order and the absence of anything like the
scenes at the polls so common in former times. About 40 per cent. of
the vote was cast by women. One of them, Mrs. B. T. Jeffers, rode
sixty miles on horseback to her old home in order to vote.

Three women were elected members of the Legislature, Mrs. Clara
Campbell, Republican; Mrs. Hattie Noble, Democrat; Mrs. Mary Allen
Wright, Populist. Mrs. Wright was chairman of the House Committee of
the Whole during one entire afternoon, and ruled with a firm but
impartial hand.

Four women were elected county treasurers, and these have given entire
satisfaction. One of them has been renominated by her party. Miss
Permeal French was elected State superintendent of public instruction
and re-elected in 1900.[234] Fifteen women were chosen county
superintendents.

In nearly all the counties women are found holding responsible
appointments. Three have been made deputy sheriffs. Since equal
suffrage was adopted women have been placed on the Board of Regents of
the State University for the first time.

Gov. Frank Steunenberg said in 1900:

In a general sense there can be no doubt that the participation
of women in our public affairs has had a most elevating
influence. All parties see the necessity of nominating the best
individuals. The natural aim of women is toward the highest good
of the community, and the best social conditions. Instead of
seeking extremes of reform, as had been predicted, they are
interested in stable and conservative administration, for the
benefit of the homes and the children, and they avoid radical and
excessive reforms. In short, the objections which in theory have
been urg