eceived
by these specious pleaders, and but for some years of experience
in legislative assemblies that had brought me to comprehend the
"ways that are dark and tricks that are vain," for which the
average politician is "peculiar," the ruse would have succeeded.
I remained at headquarters, enduring alike the open attacks of
the venal press and the more covert opposition of the saloons and
brothels, and, as vigilantly as I could, watched all legislative
movements, taking much pains to keep the public mind excited
through the columns of the _Daily Oregonian_ and the weekly
issues of the _New Northwest_. The bill, which had been prepared
by Professor William H. Roberts, passed the House early in the
session; but it tarried long in the Council, and those most
interested were well-nigh worn out with work and watching before
the measure reached a vote. It came up for final passage November
15, 1883, when only three or four women were present. The Council
had been thoroughly canvassed before-hand and no member offered
to make a speech for or against it. The deathly stillness of the
chamber was broken only by the clerk's call of the names and the
firm responses of the "ayes" and "noes." I kept the tally with a
nervous hand, and my heart fairly stood still as the fateful
moment came that gave us the majority. Then I arose and without
exchanging words with any one left the state-house and rushed
toward the telegraph-office, half a mile distant, my feet seeming
to tread the air. Judge J. W. Range of Cheney, president of a
local woman suffrage society, overtook me on the way, bound on
the same errand. He spoke, and I felt as if called back to earth
with a painful reminder that I was yet mortal. A few minutes more
and my message was on the way to the _New Northwest_. It was
publication-day and the paper had gone to press, but my jubilant
and faithful sons opened the forms and inserted the news, and in
less than half an hour the newsboys were crying the fact through
the streets of Portland, making the _New Northwest_, which had
fought the fight and led the work to the point where legislation
could give a victory, the very first paper in the nation to
herald the news to the world. The rejoicing in Oregon, as well as
in Washington territory, was most inspiriti