The History of Woman Suffrage, Volume VI — John Shaqi
The History of Woman Suffrage, Volume VI
History
The History of Woman Suffrage, Volume VI
Women -- Suffrage -- History; Women -- Suffrage -- United States -- History; Women's rights -- History; Women's rights -- United States -- History
Not at all discouraged by the defeat the women, now aroused and
interested, began as soon as the constitution was accepted by the
voters and statehood was effected to get ready for the first State
election, as now it was necessary to have an amendment submitted by
the Legislature and accepted by the electors. Headquarters were
established in the house of Mrs. Munds at Prescott and a constant
stream of literature and correspondence went out in an effort to elect
suffragists to the first State Legislature. The men, however, were so
pleased with the members of the Constitutional Convention that a
little thing like their voting against woman suffrage did not matter
and every one who was a candidate for anything was elected, some to
the Legislature and others to the various State offices. George W. P.
Hunt, who was president of the convention and had vigorously opposed
the suffrage plank, was elected the first Governor of the State. He
did recommend in his message to the Legislature that it submit a woman
suffrage amendment to the voters. Senator John Hughes, son of former
Governor and Mrs. L. C. Hughes, who had done so much to obtain woman
suffrage in early territorial days, prepared and introduced such a
measure but it failed in both Houses. The Legislature was 90 per cent.
Democratic.
It was then determined to use the initiative and collect the requisite
number of names on a petition that would compel the Legislature to
submit the question. Women in every county volunteered to get these
signatures, fifty or sixty altogether, and did the drudgery of
canvassing until the required number of signatures were obtained.
After a year's continuous educational work, in September, 1912, the
National Association was notified that Arizona was ready for the final
contest and asked to send Miss Gregg. She came and again campaigned
the State and through her efforts every labor organization pledged its
support. Mrs. Alice Park of Palo Alto, California, came at her own
expense and took charge of the distribution of literature. Mrs. Munds
went to Phoenix and opened headquarters in the Adams Hotel and ten
weeks were spent in a most strenuous campaign. The National
Association contributed Miss Gregg's salary and expenses, nearly
$1,000, and $200 in cash. The rest of the campaign fund was raised in
Arizona with the exception of voluntary contributions from suffrage
organizations in other States. Dr. Shaw came and spoke for a week in
the principal cities, making a tremendous impression. The press with
one or two exceptions was favorable and gave generous space. The press
work was in charge of Miss Sally Jacobs and Mrs. Maybelle Craig of
Phoenix. State Senator H. A. Davis did splendid campaign work and
loyal men and women too numerous to mention gave freely of their time
and money.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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