ceeded her.

* * * * *

"Franchise" was adopted as a department of state work in 1886, Miss Mary
B. Cushman, of Lockport, being the first superintendent. In 1888 Mrs.
C. C. Ellerson, of New York City, succeeded her. In 1891 Miss Vinnie R.
Davis, of Orwell, was appointed superintendent, a position she still
retains. Miss Davis has brought to the work rare gifts and great
earnestness. The department has steadily advanced under her guidance. In
the earlier years of the organization great conservatism existed in
regard to this subject. Resolutions adverse to its consideration by
local and state unions were passed in 1876 and 1878. Since its adoption
as a department the president in her annual addresses has continually
sounded its keynote in utterances like these: "The ballot in woman's
hand is a first necessity toward the solution of not only this great
question but other moral reform questions of our day." "Justice and
equity alike demand that the ballot be given to women."

In 1893 two hundred thousand women registered in the state to vote for
school officers. Upon the eve of the election Judge Williams, of the
supreme court, decided that such voting would be unconstitutional; but
in spite of the ruling over twenty thousand women did vote.

"Let all things be done decently and in order."

"School of Methods and Parliamentary Usage" became a department of state
work in 1890, and has had but two superintendents--Miss Julia E. Dailey,
of Rochester, who served one year, and Mrs. Helen L. Bullock, of Elmira,
who succeeded her. The aim of this department is to educate the women
along the lines of department work and the best manner of conducting
meetings, following St. Paul's advice--"Study to show thyself approved
unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed."

"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy"

The Department of Mercy was adopted in 1891, with Miss C. Augusta
Goodale, of Newburgh, as superintendent. The object of the department
has been education along humane lines. Many children have become
interested, and numerous Bands of Mercy, inculcating the laws of
kindness, have been organized.

"Whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report, ... think on these
things"--_Philipians_ iv, 8

The Department of Purity in Literature and Art, with Mrs. Harriet S.
Pritchard, of Brooklyn, as superintendent, was