The character of the arguments he used, and the
means he employed to win success are perhaps worthy of notice, as
showing the men he had to deal with. I ought to say distinctly,
that Mr. Bright was himself fully and firmly convinced of the
justice and policy of his bill, and gave his whole energy and
influence to secure its passage; he secured some members by
arguing to support their pet schemes in return, and some he won
over by even less creditable means. He got some votes by
admitting that the governor would veto the bill (and it was
generally understood that he would), insisting at the same time,
that it would give the Democrats an advantage in future elections
by showing that they were in favor of liberal measures while the
Republican governor and the Republican party were opposed to
them. The favorite argument, however, and by far the most
effective, was this: it would prove a great advertisement, would
make a great deal of talk, and attract attention to the
legislature, and the territory, more effectually than anything
else. The bill was finally passed and sent to the governor. I
must add, however, that many letters were written from different
parts of the territory, and particularly by the women, to members
of the legislature, urging its passage and approving its object.

On receipt of the bill, the governor was in great doubt what
course to take. He was inclined to veto it, and had so expressed
himself; but he did not like to take the responsibility of
offending the women in the territory, or of placing the
Republican party in open hostility to a measure which he saw
might become of political force and importance. I remember well
an interview that Chief-Justice Howe and myself had with him at
that time, in which we discussed the policy of the bill, and both
of us urged him to sign it with all the arguments we could
command. After a protracted consultation we left him still
doubtful what he would do.[493] But in the end he signed it, and
drew upon himself the bitter curses of those Democrats who had
voted for the bill with the expectation that he would veto it.
From this time onward, the measure became rather a Republican
than a Democratic principle, and found more of its friends in the
former party, and more of its enemies in the lat