roval of all
those interested in the movement. Soon after this Mrs. Schenck
with her gifted ally, Mrs. Stevens, decided to organize a
suffrage society, and at an impromptu meeting of some of the
friends at the residence of Mrs. Nellie Hutchinson, July 27,
1869, the first association for this purpose on the Pacific coast
was formed. There were just a sufficient number of members[499]
to fill the offices. This society grew rapidly and within a month
the parlors were found inadequate to the constantly increasing
numbers. Through the courtesy of the Mercantile Library
Association their commodious apartments were secured.

The advent of Anna Dickinson afforded the ladies an opportunity
to attest their admiration for her as a representative woman,
which they did, giving her a public breakfast, September 14.
Their honored guest appreciated the compliment; and in an earnest
and eloquent speech referred to it, saying that although she had
received many demonstrations of the kind, this was the first ever
given her exclusively by her own sex.[500]

Soon after Miss Dickinson's departure, Mrs. Schenck, much to the
regret of the society, resigned the chair, and Mrs. J. W. Stow
was appointed to fill the vacancy. The ladies having for some
time considered the organizing of a State Society of great
importance, it was decided to hold a grand mass convention for
that purpose. There was need of funds to carry forward the work,
and a course of three lectures was suggested as a means to raise
money. This carried, on motion of Mrs. Stow, and her offer to
deliver the first lecture of the course was accepted. All the
members of the society devoted their energies to secure the
success of the undertaking. Many of them engaged in selling
tickets for the two weeks intervening, and on November 2, Mrs.
Stow gave her lecture to a large and interested audience, taking
for her theme, "Woman's Work." The Rev. Mr. Hamilton followed,
November 9, with "The Parlor and the Harem," and the Rev. C. G.
Ames concluded the course, November 18, with "What Does it Mean?"
The lectures were well received, and though not particularly
directed to the right of suffrage for women, succeeded in
attracting attention to the society under whose auspices they
were given, and helped it financia