Women -- Suffrage -- History; Women -- Suffrage -- United States -- History; Women's rights -- History; Women's rights -- United States -- History
In May, 1919, when it was known that the Federal Suffrage Amendment
was certain to be submitted in a short time, the State Association
requested Governor Shoup to be in readiness to call a special session
of the Legislature so quickly that Colorado might be the first State
to ratify. It offered to supply without salary or compensation of any
kind all necessary clerks, stenographers, pages and sergeants-at-arms
in order that the State should be put to no expense except for the
mileage of the legislators, whose salaries are paid by the year. When
the amendment was finally submitted on June 4 the newspapers, which
had been loyal to the cause all these years, and the men and women
whose interest and support had never flagged, were overjoyed with
thanksgiving and jubilation. The _Rocky Mountain Herald_ of Denver was
one of the first papers to support the Equal Suffrage Association in
asking for an immediate ratification by a special session of the
Legislature. The Governor promised to call one eventually but would
not consent to do it at once, claiming that legislators from the
farming districts asked for delay. Every possible influence was
brought to bear on him but the situation remained unchanged. "For
reasons" the party in power (Republican) decreed that, while of course
the special session must be held, this could not be done until fall or
winter. The members of the association, knowing the futility of
further effort, proceeded to arrange for a public jubilee.
The meeting was held in the City Park of Denver on the night of June
25 in connection with a concert by the city band. Mrs. Hosmer presided
and prayer was offered by Mrs. Almira Frost Hudson. Jubilant speeches
were made by Mrs. Harrington, State Senator E. V. Dunkley and Captain
Morrison Shafroth to an audience of about 1,500. Governor Shoup was
out of the city but sent a letter to be read. The Mayor was
represented by Commissioner J. W. Sharpley. At the Fourth of July
celebration held under the auspices of the Colorado Patriotic League
at the same place, the president of the State suffrage association was
one of the speakers. Her subject was "Woman's First Fourth of July"
and so this celebration also took on the nature of a rejoicing over
the new women electorate of the nation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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