ogent can
be imagined or desired. When two years ago a Western
advocate of woman's rights started this theory, we never
expected to see it assume such importance.

In accordance with this opinion, certain women resolved to apply
for registration, and offer their votes. On March 25, 1871,
Catherine A. F. Stebbins and Mrs. Nannette B. Gardner of Detroit
made the attempt to have their names regularly enrolled as
legally qualified voters. Mrs. Stebbins, accompanied by her
husband, made application in the fifth ward to have her name
registered, but was refused. She then proposed to her friend,
Mrs. Gardner, to make the trial in her ward, to which she
assented. Accordingly, they went to the first district of the
ninth ward, where Peter Hill was the enrolling officer. Mrs.
Gardner gave her name, saying she was a "person" within the
meaning of the fourteenth amendment, and that she was a widow,
and a tax-payer without representation. Mr. Hill, seeing the
justice of her demand, entered her name upon the register.

This action took some of the board of registration by surprise,
and a motion was made to erase her name, but was decided in the
negative.[316] The board was now asked for a decision in regard
to Mrs. Stebbins' name, as the question very naturally suggested
itself to the inspectors, if one woman can vote why not another.
Mrs. Stebbins was notified that her case would have a hearing.
When asked to submit her reasons for demanding the right to vote,
Mrs. S. stated that she asked it simply as the right of a human
being under the constitution of the United States. She had paid
taxes on personal and real estate, and had conformed to the laws
of the land in every respect. Since the fourteenth amendment had
enfranchised woman as well as the black man, she had the
necessary qualifications of an elector.

A long debate followed. Inspectors Bagg, Hill and Folsom argued
in favor of the petitioner; Allison, Brooks, Henderson and Hughes
against. The opposition confessed that the negro had voted before
the word "white" had been expunged from the State constitution;
but that was done from a "political necessity." The question of
acceptance being put to vote, was negatived--13 to 10. This was
counted a victory, and stimulated the opposi