s able to secure the requisite vote. When the
ayes and nays were called, the resolution was lost--51 to 22.

On February 24, 1879, once again in joint session, the General
Assembly received a committee appointed by the State Association
and the Equal Suffrage Society of Indianapolis, to support
woman's claim to the ballot. Mrs. Wallace, Dr. Mary F. Thomas,
Mary E. Haggart and Amy E. Dunn, each spoke at length on the
points clearly set forth in the memorial. Whatever arguments
could reach the intellect, whatever could touch the
sensibilities, were urged by these ladies on that occasion, and
the gentlemen did not fail to compliment their abilities,
although the exercise of them had no palpable effect upon
legislation.

Before the General Assembly of 1880-81, had convened, it was
known by its members-elect that the women of the State would be a
constant factor in their deliberations. They had been notified of
this intention by the circular letter from the City Society, and
by the published fact that the State Association had already
appointed representatives, whose duty it should be to secure a
hearing for such an amendment to the constitution of the State as
should enable women to vote. As soon as the legislature
assembled, committees on women's claims were appointed in both
branches; Simeon P. Yancey being the chairman of the Senate, and
J. M. Furnas of the House, committee. Two points had been
determined upon. These were to try to secure the passage of a
bill which should immediately authorize women to vote for
presidential electors, and such an amendment to the constitution
of the State as should enable women to exercise the right of
suffrage on all questions.

In connection with the first of these points the name of Helen M.
Gougar deserves especial mention. At the Washington convention of
the American Association, Mr. Blackwell suggested that the States
try to secure the electoral ballot for women, and as soon as Mrs.
Gougar returned she urged the members of the legislature to take
the matter up. At her suggestion, Dr. Mary F. Thomas addressed a
letter to W. D. Wallace, esq., a prominent lawyer of Lafayette,
asking him if, in his opinion, the extension of the electoral
ballot to women would be incompatible with the present
con