Doctor Mitchell, of the house of representatives, introduced a resolution into the legislature of 1908 providing for the enactment of an amendment to the constitution which would enfranchise the women of West Virginia. Senator Z. J. Forman did the same in the senate. Letters were written to each member of the legislature asking support for the bill and enclosing a suitable leaflet with stamped envelope for reply. The time given us for this work was short, and had it not been for the co-operation of Mrs. Hornbrook and two members of the Municipal League, together with suggestions from the national officers, we could never have accomplished the work.

Of the 21 replies received to the 110 letters sent, four were against, 9 in favor, 8 evasive. One of these communications ran as follows: “Yours of the 22nd reced. and in Reply would say that so far my mind has undergone no change or if you Please, has made no material growth in the way of developing an inclination for a desire to see equal suffrage. My reasons for so Thinking is the fact that I had the opertunity [sic] of seeing a few elections conducted where[e] equal suffrage was exorcised, and if there was a sample of what can be accomplished by such suffrage I have no desire to see it brought about neither would I care to see my wife or Daughter in any way connected with such work. with this and other reasons which I shal[l] not here take time to enumerate I will have to respectfully decline to support yourl amendment.”

Senator Robt. Hazlett arranged a legislative hearing in the house of representatives. This was in every way a success. Every seat was occupied, people sat on the steps and sides of the platform, wile the large space at the back of the room was entirely filled with standing men. Dr. Jones made a short but exceedingly clear address. She was followed by Miss Shaw, who never spoke better, never more logically or eloquently. It was said that if the vote could have been taken that night we would have won. However, when it was taken later, it stood 13 for and 10 against in the senate; 48 for and 26 against in the house.

It was aggravating to come so near victory, but we had to congratulate ourselves on the large vote. It is hoped that the West Virginia women will some day be given the same right to express their opinions at the polls as they are now given to support the office holders and institutions of the government under which they live.

Elizabeth I. Cummins, Corresponding Secretary.