vote, that the whole time of each
session could have been spent in reading them--one day's mail alone
bringing them from twenty-three States and three Territories. Some
contained hundreds of names, others represented town, county and
State societies. Many were addressed to the different nominating
conventions, Republican, Greenback, Democratic, while the reasons
given for desiring to vote ranged from the simple demand, through
all the scale of those connected with good government and
morality. So highly important a contribution to history did the
Chicago Historical Society deem these expressions that it made a
formal request to be put in possession of all letters and postals,
with a promise that they should be carefully guarded in a
fire-proof safe.

A large parlor in the Palmer House was tendered to the ladies by the
proprietor for business meetings and for a reception room. They were
visited by a number of Republican delegates, many of whom were
thoroughly in favor of a suffrage plank in the platform and of giving
the ladies seats in the convention. A letter was sent to the chairman of
the Republican national committee, Don Cameron, signed by one hundred
and eighteen United States senators and representatives, asking that
seventy-six seats on the floor of the convention be given to as many
accredited delegates from the National Suffrage Association. Although
the veteran soldiers and sailors were liberally provided for, Mr.
Cameron granted only ten seats to the women, and those not to the
association in its official capacity but as "guest" tickets for seats on
the platform. Miss Anthony was allowed _ten_ minutes before a
_sub_-committee to present the argument for a suffrage plank. It was
favorably regarded by scattered members of various delegations, but the
platform was silent on the subject.

The Republican convention of 1880 did not even adopt the "recognition"
planks of 1872 and 1876, and all the demonstrations of this great mass
meeting of women had not the slightest influence, because made by a
disfranchised class. Before closing they adopted a resolution that they
would support no party which did not endorse the political equality of
woman; but all the "support" which they could give or withhold was not
likely to be considered of much value by political leaders.

Miss Anthony and four others attended the Greenback-Labor Convention, a
few days later,