g distributed about equally between
the two sections of the Pacific Northwest that had formerly been
united under one territorial government. In the autumn of 1881
the legislature of Washington met one afternoon in joint
convention to listen to arguments from Hon. William H. White and
myself, on which occasion I held the floor for nearly three
hours, in the midst of an auditory that was itself an
inspiration. Mr. White, a Democrat of the old school, and now
(1885) holding the office of United States marshal in the
territory, under commission from President Cleveland, based his
plea for woman suffrage upon the enfranchisement of the colored
men, urging it strongly as a means of Democratic retaliation. The
suffrage bill passed in the House on the following day by a
majority of two, but was defeated in the Council by a majority of
two, showing that the vote would have been a tie if taken under
the joint-ballot rule.

Returning to Oregon I renewed the contest, and in the autumn of
1882 we were all gratified by the passage of the pending
constitutional amendment by a very nearly unanimous vote of each
House. Then the Oregon campaign began in earnest. The question
had assumed formidable proportions and was no longer an ignored
issue. The work went on with accelerated speed, and as far as
could be ascertained there was little or no opposition to it. The
meetings were largely attended and affirmative speakers were
ready to assist at all times, the help of this kind representing
all grades of the professions, led by the best and most
influential men of the State everywhere.

Another year went by, and the time for assembling the Washington
territory legislature was again at hand. Immediately upon
arriving at Olympia I learned that a coterie of politicians,
finding open hostility no longer effectual, had combined to crush
the woman suffrage bill, which had passed the House triumphantly,
by lobbying a "substitute" through the Council. In pursuance of
this seemingly plausible idea they talked with the ladies of
Olympia and succeeded in convincing a few of them that all women,
and especially all leaders of the movement, must be kept away
from the capitol or the bill would certainly be defeated.
Several women who ought to have have known better were d