resent the matter to President Roosevelt. Protests
arose from all parts of the country and before they had time to call
on him he declared himself opposed to "regulated vice." The dispatches
of March 22 announced that a general order signed by Secretary Root
had gone from the War Department to Manila that no more "certificates"
would be issued but that soldiers as well as women would be inspected
and cases of disease would be sent to the hospital.

CHAPTER III.

THE NATIONAL AMERICAN CONVENTION OF 1903.

In 1903 the National American Suffrage Association for the second time
took its annual convention to a southern State and held it in New
Orleans, March 15-25, in Athenaeum Hall.[23] The _Woman's Journal_
said: "To the northern delegates there was something almost magical in
the sudden change from snowdrifts and nipping winds to balmy air and a
temperature like June. The delicious climate of Louisiana in spring
has not been exaggerated and it seems wonderful to find roses in bloom
in March, the wistaria vines in a cloud of purple blossom and the
grass an emerald green.... The delegates were enthusiastic over the
quaint houses surrounded by palms, bananas and great live oaks, a
pleasing novelty to most of them."

The hostess of the convention was the Era Club, the largest
organization of women in the city, its title--ERA--cleverly concealing
Equal Rights Association. It was founded in 1896; Miss Kate Gordon,
the present secretary of the National Association, was formerly its
president and her sister, Miss Jean M. Gordon, now filled that office.
On the first afternoon the spacious and beautiful home of Mrs. Reuben
Bush, prominent in club and civic work, was opened for the club to
entertain the officers, delegates and a large number of invited
guests. Sunday evening all were received informally in the charming
home of Misses Kate, Fanny and Jean Gordon.

The excellent convention program was prepared by Miss Kate Gordon. The
first evening session was opened with prayer by the Right Reverend
Davis Sessums, Episcopal Bishop of Louisiana, who said in the course
of it: "Prosper, we beseech thee, the deliberations of this
association whose representatives are here assembled and direct and
rule their judgment and actions in all things to the furtherance of
truth and justice, so that their work may be an abiding work and
contribute to the growth of true religion and civilization, to the
happiness of homes and to the a