ore the convention on this question. There were
at that time several bills before Congress to deprive Utah women of
the elective franchise.

During the subsequent years of this agitation every issue of the
_Woman's Exponent_ contained burning articles, letters and editorials
upon this uncalled-for and unwarranted interference with the affairs
of the women of this Territory. The advocates of the rights of all
women stood up boldly for those of Utah, notwithstanding the scoffs
and obloquy cast upon them. It was a fierce battle of opinions and the
weaker had to succumb. The strong power of Congress conquered at last,
and the Edmunds-Tucker Act of 1887 wrested from all the women, Gentile
and Mormon alike, the suffrage which they had exercised for seventeen
years. Naturally they were very indignant at being arbitrarily
deprived of a vested right, but were obliged to submit. They were
determined, however, not to do so tamely but to teach their sons,
brothers and all others the value of equal suffrage, and to use every
effort in their power toward securing it whenever Statehood should be
conferred.

Mrs. Arthur Brown and Mrs. Emily S. Richards were appointed to
represent the Territory at the National Suffrage Convention in
Washington in 1888, and were there authorized to form an association
uniform with those in various States and Territories. Heretofore it
had not been considered necessary to organize, as women were already
in possession of the ballot.

Mrs. Elizabeth Lyle Saxon and Mrs. Clara Bewick Colby, who had been
lecturing on suffrage in Oregon and Washington, visited Salt Lake in
September, 1888. They spoke in the theater, and on the following day a
reception was tendered them in the Gardo House, where they had the
opportunity of meeting socially between five and six hundred people,
both Gentiles and Mormons, men and women. The same evening another
large audience in the theater greeted them, and on the day succeeding
at 10 A. M. there was a meeting for women only in the Assembly Hall.
These meetings were held under the auspices of the Woman's Relief
Society, Mrs. Zina D. H. Young, president. Though they occurred at a
time when the people were suffering from indignities heaped upon them
because of unjust legislation, yet a strong impression was made on
those (mostly Gentiles) who never previously had been converted to
suffrage.

After careful deliberation and several preliminary meetings in the
office of the _Wom