e it with the idea of "votes for women." At the beginning of
the second decade the State had given them the complete suffrage and
at its close the women of the entire nation were enfranchised by an
amendment to the Federal Constitution.

A resubmission of the question in California could not be expected for
several years after the defeat of a constitutional amendment in 1896,
although no subsequent Legislature met without discussing the subject
and voting on some phase of it. The liquor interests continued a
persistent opposition but the suffrage association had a powerful ally
in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, with its franchise
department and its well organized army of workers, and, although
somewhat discouraged for a few years, held its annual convention and
reorganization was gradually effected. The State convention of 1900
met December 14, 15, in Golden Gate Hall, San Francisco, with the
president, Mrs. Mary Wood Swift, in the chair. A resolution was
adopted commending the former State president, Ellen Clark (Mrs. Aaron
A.) Sargent, for instituting suit against the tax collector for the
return of her taxes paid in San Francisco under written protest. [See
Volume IV, page 504.] The members were urged to file a protest when
paying taxes because they had no representation. It was declared that
the time was opportune for organized effort to have the Legislature
again submit an amendment to the voters. A vote of thanks was given
to Miss Clara Schlingheyde for her success in obtaining donations for
the national suffrage bazaar in New York and appreciation expressed
for the generous response of California people, especially for the
donation of William Keith, the artist, of his picture, Spring in the
Napa Valley. Mrs. Swift having served four years as president declined
to hold the office longer and Mrs. Mary S. Sperry retired as treasurer
after serving seven years. The following board was elected: Honorary
presidents, Mrs. Sargent of San Francisco and Mrs. Ellen Knox Goodrich
of San Jose; president, Mrs. Annie R. Wood, Alameda; first, second and
third vice-presidents, Mrs. Lovell White, San Francisco, Mrs. E. O.
Smith, San Jose, Mrs. Annie K. Bidwell, Chico; corresponding
secretary, Miss Carrie Whelan, Oakland; recording secretary, Mrs.
Dorothy Harnden; treasurer, Miss Schlingheyde, both of San Francisco;
auditors, Mrs. A. K. Spero and Mrs. Keith.

A visit in 1901 from Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, president of the