Governor, the
Legislature adjourned to September 21, when the second session had
been called.

When the Legislature met on September 21 the Governor appeared before
the two Houses and asked them to ratify the amendment which he now
laid before them. Many of the members were unwilling to do this, as it
seemed a confession that their former action was invalid. Wiser
counsels prevailed, especially as Miss Ludington and the State Board
strongly urged them not to allow their scruples to stand in the way
when there might be a possible doubt as to whether the first
ratification was legal. The amendment was again ratified, by the
Senate unanimously, the House 194 to 9. Later in the day a motion was
made to reconsider and confirm the action of the first session. This
was done to satisfy the members who were determined that the first
record should stand as authentic. Thus after a struggle lasting over
fifteen months, the Legislature at its first opportunity ratified the
Federal Suffrage Amendment, once, twice and thrice, and if there was
any doubt about Tennessee there was none whatever about Connecticut.

* * * * *

The long fight for ratification and the contest against Senator
Brandegee made it impossible to organize a League of Women Voters in
1920. On November 8 and 9, after the election was over, the
Connecticut Woman Suffrage Association held its last convention in
Hartford. It voted to keep the organization in existence for a couple
of months until a league could be formed and then, without further
ceremony, to dissolve. Preliminary organization work was continued and
on Jan. 18, 1921, at a convention in New Haven the League of Women
Voters came into existence with Miss Mabel C. Washburn chairman.[26]

LEGISLATIVE ACTION. The Connecticut Legislature has only a melancholy
record of defeats, having given the women nothing except a vote for
school trustees and on some school questions in 1893.

1901. A bill for Municipal suffrage was adversely reported from
committee and defeated.

1903. The same bill was defeated in the House on roll call by 105
noes, 40 ayes; in the Senate without roll call.

1905. The same measure had a favorable report from the Joint Woman
Suffrage Committee but it was not accepted by House or Senate.

1907. In addition to the Municipal suffrage bill the association
presented one for Presidential suffrage. The Senate rejected both
without a roll call; House vote