e this question of ratification by a stroke of his
pen for the women of the whole nation. He said he would reserve his
decision till he had carefully considered their arguments, and they
went out to report to the mass meeting in progress on the grounds of
the Capitol. The following Tuesday he made public his answer, which
was that, while the arguments proved that there was a strong desire
for a special session, they did not prove the existence of the
"special emergency" mentioned in the constitution and he felt
compelled to decline.

A petition asking for a special session was then sent to the Governor
signed by a majority of both parties in both Houses of the
Legislature, which had not the slightest effect. The State association
held a meeting and resolved to try to defeat those Republican
candidates who were opposed to ratification and especially the little
group who composed the Republican "machine." Miss Ludington issued a
manifesto giving in detail their action which had determined this
policy and saying:

Our fight now is "November, 1920." One of the most important
presidential elections in years is to be held then. Women are
just as vitally affected by it and as deeply interested in it as
men. Although 35 out of the necessary 36 States have ratified, no
women can vote in this election under the Federal Amendment until
the 36th State has ratified. It is curious how slow the
public--women as well as men--have been to realize this. They
talk of our being "almost" voters. They do not seem to understand
that although Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, etc., have
ratified the amendment, the women of these States will not vote
until the 36th State ratifies. Who is responsible for the delay
which may keep over 10,000,000 women from the vote for President
and about 20,000,000 from the vote for members of Congress, State
officials, etc.? Both political parties but the Republican in
greater degree.... It lies in the power of this party to speak
the word that will fully enfranchise the women of this country
and where there is power there is responsibility.

"But," the Republicans say, "we have given you 29 States. Think
of that! You ought to be grateful to us." "Exactly," we answer,
"but you have withheld that one State which would make just the
difference between our voting or not voting. And by the way you