ate W. C. T. U., was
elected permanent chairman and presided over the State Prohibition
Convention held in Louisville--the first time a woman ever filled such
a position in Kentucky. She was also elected a member of the National
Central Committee of the Prohibitionists in 1899. This party has
retained the woman suffrage plank in its State platform since 1889.

[282] The other State officers have been, recording secretaries, Dr.
Sarah M. Siewers; Mesdames Mary Ritchie McKee, Mary Muggeridge, Mary
R. Patterson, Sarah Hardin Sawyer, Kate Rose Wiggins; Misses Anna M.
Deane, Mary Susan Hamilton, Mary E. Light; third vice-presidents,
Mesdames Sallie H. Chenault, S. M. Hubbard, Mary H. Johnson, Thomas L.
Jones, N. S. McLaughlin; Miss Belle Harris Bennett; superintendents of
press, Mrs. Lida Calvert Obenchain, Mrs. Sarah G. Humphreys;
superintendent of legislative work, Mrs. Josephine K. Henry.

[283] This bill, drawn up with legal precision and clearness, was
practically the one passed four years later (1894), which raised
Kentucky's property laws for wives to a just and honorable plane.

[284] On the night of March 8 Mrs. Josephine K. Henry spoke in
Frankfort on the subject of American Citizenship. The Legislative Hall
was voted unanimously and the Senate, which was holding night
sessions, adjourned to hear her address. The Property Rights Bill was
on this night virtually dead. Mrs. Henry in her speech never alluded
to this bill, but plainly asked the Legislature to create a power to
which she could apply and receive her papers of citizenship, claiming
that she had every qualification save that of sex. The speech did not
procure for her the right to vote, but the next morning, amid the
greatest tumult, the dead Property Rights Bill was resurrected and
passed.

Minutes of Kentucky E. R. A., 1894.

[285] The wife can not dispose of real estate without the husband's
signature. He can convey real estate without her signature but it is
subject to her dower.

[286] This year the E. R. A., the W. C. T. U. and the Woman's Club of
Central Kentucky petitioned Governor Bradley to appoint a woman
physician for the insane asylum at Lexington. He did appoint one, Dr.
Kathryn Houser, but placed her in the Hopkinsville asylum.

[287] A notable feature of this act is that none shall be appointed
who has not been recommended by a committee composed of one woman
selected by each of the following organi