inced that it is possible to
build a great organization based upon the one platform of the
enfranchisement of women. With harmony, co-operation and
determination we shall yet build this organization, of such
numbers and political strength that through the power of
constituency it can dictate at least one plank in the platform of
every political party, and secure an amendment from any
Legislature it petitions. We believe it will yet have its
auxiliaries in every village and hamlet, township and school
district, to influence majorities when the amendment is
submitted. More--we believe ere many years its powers will be so
subtle and widespread that it can besiege the conservatism of
Congress itself, and come away with the laurel wreath of victory.

Nearly $3,300 were at once pledged for the committee, Miss Anthony
herself agreeing to raise $600 of this amount.

Mrs. Chapman Catt presented also a detailed Plan of Work, which
included Organization, Club Work, Letter Writing, Raising of Money
and Political Work. Of the last she said: "The time has fully come
when we should carry the rub-a-dub of our agitation into 'the
political Africa,' that is into every town meeting of every township
of every county, and every caucus or primary meeting of every ward of
every city of every State.... For a whole half century we have held
special suffrage meetings, with audiences largely of women; that is,
women have talked to women. We must now carry our discussion of the
question into all of the different political party gatherings, for it
is only there that the rank and file of the voters ever go. They won't
come to our meetings, so we must carry our gospel into theirs. It will
be of no more avail in the future than it has been in the past to send
appeals to State and national conventions, so long as they are not
backed by petitions from a vast majority of the voting constituents of
their members."

With the thousand dollars which had been put into Miss Anthony's hands
by Mrs. Louisa Southworth of Cleveland the preceding year, national
headquarters had been opened in Philadelphia with Mrs. Rachel Foster
Avery, corresponding secretary, in charge. Mrs. Harriet Taylor Upton,
treasurer, reported total receipts for 1895 to be $9,835, with a
balance of several hundred dollars in the treasury.

The principal feature of the Saturday evening meeting was the address
of Miss Elizabeth B