ker's desk. Mrs. Vaughn read Mrs. Stanton's eloquent appeal praying
the Legislature to do one of two things: either give women a vote on
this great evil of intemperance, or else truly represent them by
enacting a Prohibitory Law. It was accompanied by the petition of
28,000 names which had been collected by a few women at immense labor
and expense during the past year.

This was the first time in the history of New York that a body of women
had appeared before the Legislature, and in their innocence they had
full confidence that their request would be granted in a very short
time.[17] While they were still in Albany their petition was discussed
and a young member made a long speech against it, declared that women
were "out of their sphere" circulating petitions and coming before the
Legislature, and closed by saying, "Who are these asking for a Maine
Law? Nobody but women and children!" Miss Anthony then and there made a
solemn resolve that it should be her life work to make a woman's name
on a petition worth as much as a man's.

S.P. Townsend, who had made a fortune in the manufacture of
sarsaparilla, happening to be at the Capitol, called upon the ladies
and invited them to come to New York and hold a meeting, offering to
advertise and entertain them. Miss Anthony, Mrs. Bloomer and Miss Brown
accepted his invitation and were entertained at his elegant home, and
also by Professor and Mrs. L.N. Fowler. He engaged Metropolitan Hall
(where Jenny Lind sang) for February 7, and the ladies spoke to an
audience of 3,000 at twenty-five cents admission. Mrs. Fowler presided,
and on the platform were Horace Greeley, who made a strong address,
Mrs. Greeley, Abby Hopper Gibbons and others. The Tribune and Post were
very complimentary, saying it was the first time a woman had spoken
within those walls and the meeting would compare favorably with any
ever held in the building. After it was over Mr. Townsend divided the
net proceeds among the three women. He also arranged for them to speak
in Broadway Tabernacle and in Brooklyn Academy of Music, each of which
was crowded to its capacity.

During March and April they made a successful tour of the principal
cities in the State, Miss Anthony assuming the management and financial
responsibility. They went to Sing Sing, Poughkeepsie, Hudson, Troy,
Utica, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo and other places, greeted
everywhere with large and attentive audiences attracted by the unusual
spectac