For thirty years the women of Iowa have been petitioning its legislative body for the elective franchise. Any proposed amendment to the State constitution must pass two successive Legislatures before being submitted to the voters, which makes it exceedingly difficult to secure one. Throughout the State, however, there has been a steady, healthy growth of favorable sentiment and the cause now numbers its friends by thousands.

The Iowa Equal Suffrage Association was formed in 1870 and ever since has held annual conventions. That of 1884 took place in Des Moines, November 27, 28, Mrs. Narcissa T. Bemis presiding. The report of the vice-president, Mrs. Jane Amy McKinney, stated that Miss Matilda Hindman of Pennsylvania had been employed two months of the year, besides working several weeks upon her own responsibility. She had delivered seventy-two lectures, formed about forty organizations and obtained many hundreds of names to pledges of help. Mrs. Helen M. Gougar of Indiana had given fifteen addresses, distributed 3,000 tracts and secured 500 subscribers for her paper, Our Herald. Mrs. Mariana T. Folsome, financial secretary, had gone from town to town, arranging her own meetings and visiting many places where no suffrage work ever before had been done. Mrs. Margaret W. Campbell, State organizer, had addressed 139 meetings and assisted in organizing ten counties. Letters urging a Sixteenth Amendment to the Federal Constitution had been written to all the Iowa members of Congress.

The convention met Oct. 21, 22, 1885, in Cedar Rapids, and elected Mrs. Campbell president. Lucy Stone and Henry B. Blackwell delivered evening addresses, while among the delegates was Mrs. Carrie Lane Chapman (Catt). Mrs. Mary J. Coggeshall, chairman of the executive committee, reported that each of the eleven congressional districts had been given in charge of a vice-president of the State association, local societies had been formed, numerous public meetings held and seventeen counties organized. Petitions were in circulation asking the Legislature to amend the constitution of the State so as to enfranchise women, and others that women be excused from paying taxes until they had representation. About forty weekly papers had columns edited by the press committee. At the State Agricultural Fair this committee had, as usual, a large amount of literature in a handsomely decorated booth, which was crowded with visitors from all parts of the State.

In the autumn of 1886 the annual meeting convened in Ottumwa. During that year funds had been raised and a permanent cottage erected on the State Fair grounds to be used as suffrage headquarters. There was also established in Des Moines a State paper, the Woman's Standard, with Mrs. Coggeshall as editor and Mrs. Martha C. Callanan as business manager. This paper, an eight-page monthly, issued its first number in September.[259]

The State Convention of 1887 was held in Des Moines, and that of 1888 in Ames. At the latter Miss Susan B. Anthony gave an inspiring address. The State Agricultural College is located at Ames, and Capt. James Rush Lincoln of the military department tendered the delegates an exhibition drill on the campus of Company G, which was composed entirely of girls.

The annual convention took place in Oskaloosa, Oct. 30-Nov. 1, 1889. A letter of approval was received from George A. Gates, president of Iowa College. Mr. Blackwell and Lucy Stone were present and added much to the interest of the meetings. Mrs. Campbell was for the third time elected president.

On Dec. 4, 5, 1890, the association again assembled in Des Moines, with Miss Anthony in attendance. The resolutions recommended that the suffragists make an effort to place women on all the school boards, and that they work for the election of legislators favoring Municipal and School Suffrage for women.

The society was incorporated under the State laws Nov. 7, 1891, as the Iowa Equal Suffrage Association. The twentieth convention was held at Ames, December 3, 4. Three departments of work were arranged—fair, press and oratorical contest—and a superintendent of each was appointed. Reports were received from all parts of the State which indicated an increasing growth of sentiment and it was decided to place another organizer in the field. The delegates were invited by President William Beardshear to visit the State Agricultural College. Upon their return they passed a resolution declaring that "the Legislature ought to provide a suitable hall for women students." Margaret Hall has since been erected, a commodious building designed for their exclusive use.

The twenty-first annual meeting was called at Des Moines, Sept. 22, 1892, in connection with the Mississippi Valley Suffrage Conference. There were present Miss Anthony, president of the National Association, Mr. Blackwell, Senator M. B. Castle and Mrs. Catharine Waugh McCulloch of Illinois, Miss Laura Clay of Kentucky, Mrs. Sarah Burger Stearns of Minnesota and many others from different States. The report of Mrs. Eliza H. Hunter, chairman of the executive committee, said:

In no previous year has the demand upon our workers been so great, and never has the response been so quick and hearty. Mrs. Chapman Catt, Mrs. Emma Smith DeVoe of Illinois, the Rev. Olympia Brown of Wisconsin, and Mrs. Belle Mitchell of Iowa, have been our lecturers and organizers. The association was invited to send a speaker to the Chautauqua Assembly at Colfax and the Rev. C. C. Harrah was secured. A plan of work prepared by Mrs. Chapman Catt was issued as a supplement to the Woman's Standard, and sent to every county president and local club. Mrs. Callanan published at the same time the Iowa Collection of Readings and Recitations for suffrage societies. The study topics arranged for clubs two years ago had been in such demand that a new supply was necessary. We also have had printed 6,000 copies of a tract, A Woman Suffrage Catechism, by Mrs. C. Holt Flint. The State Agricultural Society by request set apart one day of the fair as Woman's Day, and five women's organizations took part in the exercises. At the hour devoted especially to suffrage Mrs. DeVoe made the address, Mrs. Coggeshall presiding. It was hard to tell where this hour began and ended, for to the listener all seemed suffrage hours.

This report told also of a series of questions sent out which ascertained that, in the territory covered by twenty-eight clubs, seventy-eight ministers were in favor of suffrage and eighteen opposed; and in the same territory forty editors were in favor and nineteen opposed. There were at that time fifty-seven clubs in the State.

The year 1893 marked a period of unusual activity. The executive committee held monthly meetings. Four organizers were kept in the field. A large amount of money was raised and $100 donated to the campaign in Colorado. A request was sent to the clubs that each contribute to the campaign in Kansas, which in many instances was done. The annual meeting took place in Webster City, November 9, 10.

The convention of 1894 was held in Marshalltown, November 8, 9. That of 1895 met in Des Moines, October 18, 19. Mrs. Laura M. Johns of Kansas was secured for a month of organization work and the suffrage enrollment ordered to be continued.

In 1896 Mrs. Adelaide Ballard was elected State organizer. At the State Fair Mrs. Pauline Swalm delivered an address on The Woman Citizen. The suffrage cottage was kept open and a long list of names was placed upon the enrollment books. The annual meeting convened in Independence, November 17-19. Mrs. Ballard reported thirty-seven new clubs organized. Mrs. Anna H. Satterly announced that forty-two newspapers were publishing articles furnished by the National Association, which also sent Mrs. DeVoe for a month's work in the State.

In January, 1897, the National Association held its convention in Des Moines, with many noted women in attendance.[260] This gave a great impetus to the work and had a decided effect upon sentiment in the State, particularly on that of the daily papers in Des Moines, most of which since this time have treated the cause with marked courtesy. At the close of the convention fifty members were added to the city club. The National Association heartily approved the plan of an active campaign with a view to securing the submission of a suffrage amendment from the Legislature. Under the directions of Mrs. Chapman Catt, chairman of its organization committee, workers were sent into the field to hold a series of conventions for the purpose of perfecting the organization of the State. These resulted in county societies in ninety-four of the ninety-nine counties and one hundred new clubs. The speakers were the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, national vice-president-at-large, and the Rev. Henrietta G. Moore of Ohio; the managers, Miss Mary G. Hay of New York and Miss Laura A. Gregg of Kansas. Mrs. Ballard and Mrs. Clara M. Richey each gave a month to conducting meetings, and other Iowa women rendered valuable assistance.

The annual meeting of 1897 took place in Des Moines, October 13-15. Mrs. Chapman Catt, Miss Hay, Miss Moore and Mrs. Addie M. Johnson of Missouri were present. Much enthusiasm was manifested and $1,400 were raised to carry on the next year's work. It was decided to open headquarters in Des Moines the first of January, 1898, with Mrs. Ina Light Taylor as office secretary.

Beginning in April, 1898, the State association conducted a series of conferences throughout the northern part of Iowa, employing as speakers Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. Ballard; and as managers Miss Ella Harrison of Missouri and Mrs. Richey. At the same time the National Association sent into the southern part Miss Moore and Mrs. Martha A. B. Conine of Colorado, as speakers, and Miss Gregg and Mrs. Jennie L. Wilson as managers. The annual meeting was held in Council Bluffs, October 19-21. Mrs. Evelyn H. Belden was made president.

During 1899 a large amount of work was done by correspondence. The office of press superintendent was transferred to headquarters, from which 200 newspapers were supplied each week with suffrage matter. Two hundred and fifty clubs were in active existence. The convention met in Mason City, October 10-12. Mrs. Belden was unanimously re-elected and $1,500 were raised.

The convention of 1900 was held in Des Moines, October 16-18, with Mrs. Chapman Catt in attendance. During the year Mrs. Nellie Welsh Nelson had done organization work in northwestern Iowa, and Miss Hay and Dr. Frances Woods lately had held a number of meetings and formed several clubs. One thousand dollars were pledged to continue the State headquarters. Mrs. Belden was again elected to the presidency, and the association entered upon the new century bearing the banner it had followed for thirty years, with the inscription, "Never give up."[261]

Year after year the executive committee have visited the State conventions of all the political parties asking for a plank in their platforms indorsing equal suffrage, but without success. Many of the prominent officials and political leaders, however, have openly declared in favor of the enfranchisement of women.[262]

Legislative Action and Laws: From its organization in 1870 the State association has had a bill before every Legislature asking some form of suffrage for women. This usually has passed one House but never both at the same session. The petitions accompanying these bills have varied from 8,000 signatures in 1884 to 100,000 in 1900. In 1884 the measure was carried in the Senate but lost in the House.

In 1886 a bill for Municipal Suffrage was introduced by Representative J. A. Lyons, amended to include School Suffrage and recommended for passage, but it never came to a vote.

In 1888 a bill for Municipal and School Suffrage was lost in the House by 11 ayes, 80 noes. This was presented in the Senate also but never voted upon.

In 1890 a bill for School Suffrage was recommended for passage in the House but did not reach a vote. A bill for Municipal Suffrage at the same session was not reported. Both were killed in the Senate committee.

In 1892 a bill allowing women to vote for Presidential Electors was introduced in the House but was unfavorably reported and indefinitely postponed. In the Senate it was referred to the Committee on Suffrage and never reported.

In 1894 a bill for Municipal and School Suffrage was favorably reported in the House. It was made a special order and, after being amended so as to give women the right to vote only when bonds were to be issued, it was returned to the Judiciary Committee. They reported it without recommendation for the reason that they were not agreed as to its constitutionality. It was passed by 51 ayes, 39 noes. In the Senate the amended bill passed by 27 ayes, 20 noes.

The greatest difficulty in the way of securing Municipal or School Suffrage was the opinion prevalent among legislators that it would be unconstitutional. In view of this fact the State association decided to drop all partial suffrage measures and ask only for the Full Franchise by constitutional amendment.

In 1898 a legislative committee was appointed with Mrs. Belden, State president, as chairman. Assisted by Miss Mary G. Hay of New York, she spent some time at the capital trying to secure a joint resolution for the submission of an amendment. The resolution was lost in the House by 50 ayes, 47 noes—just one short of a constitutional majority, which is one over a half of the whole number of members. It did not come to a vote in the Senate.

In 1900 Mrs. Belden established headquarters at the Savery House in Des Moines, and with other members of the legislative committee conducted a vigorous campaign for submission. The bill was reported favorably by unanimous vote of both House and Senate committees, but was lost in the House by 44 ayes, 55 noes. Subsequently it passed the "sifting committee," for the first time in the history of suffrage legislation in the State. It was then acted upon by the Senate and lost by 24 ayes, 23 noes—lacking two votes of a constitutional majority. The absence on account of illness of some of the friends of the measure contributed to this result. In the meantime work had been done in the House by Mrs. Belden and the Hon. G. W. Hinkle which had made it certain that if the bill was carried in the Senate the House would reconsider and pass it. The bill was treated with courtesy and fairness and instead of ignoring its claims men came voluntarily to talk about it and showed a genuine interest.

The laws of inheritance are the same for husband and wife. Dower and curtesy are abolished. The surviving husband or wife is entitled to one-third in fee simple of both real and personal estate of the other at his or her death. If either die intestate, leaving no issue, one-half of the estate goes to the survivor, the rest to his or her parents, one or both; or if they are both dead, to their descendants. If there are none such, the whole estate goes to the surviving husband or wife. If there should have been more than one wife or husband, the half portion is equally divided between the husband or wife living and the heirs of those who are dead, or the heirs of all, if all are dead.

A married woman may contract, sue and be sued and carry on business in her own name as if unmarried and her earnings are her sole and separate property.

In 1896 an act was passed making it illegal for the husband to mortgage household goods without the wife's signature. The same year it was made a misdemeanor and punishable as such for a man to desert a woman whom he married to escape prosecution for seduction.

The law declares the father and mother natural guardians and legally entitled to the custody of the minor children, but in practice the father has prior claim.

The support and education of the family are chargeable equally on the husband's and the wife's property.

In 1886 the "age of protection" for girls was raised from 10 to 13 years; and in 1896, on petition of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, from 13 to 15 years. The penalty is imprisonment in the penitentiary for life or for any term of years not less than twenty. An amendment was made in 1894 that "a man can not be convicted upon the testimony of the person injured unless she be corroborated by other evidence."

The same year this organization secured a law compelling the separation of men and women prisoners in county jails.

Suffrage: Since 1894 the right of any citizen to vote at any city, town or school election, on the question of issuing any bonds for municipal or school purposes, and for the purpose of borrowing money, or on the question of increasing the tax levy, shall not be denied or abridged on account of sex.

At all elections where women may vote, no registration of women shall be required, separate ballots shall be furnished for the question on which they are entitled to vote, a separate ballot-box shall be provided in which all ballots cast by them shall be deposited, and a separate canvass thereof made by the judges of the election, and the returns thereof shall show such vote.

Office Holding: Women are not forbidden by law to hold any office except that of legislator.

In 1884 thirteen women were serving as county superintendents and ten as superintendents of city schools; six were presidents, thirty-five secretaries and fifty treasurers of school boards. In 1885 the school board of Des Moines elected a woman city superintendent at a salary of $1,800, with charge of eighty teachers, including two male principals. In 1900 twenty-one women were elected county superintendents. A large number are acting as school trustees but it is impossible to get the exact figures.

The office of State librarian always was filled by a woman until 1898, when Gov. Leslie M. Shaw placed a man in charge. The librarian of the State University always has been a woman. There are two women on the Library Board of Des Moines.

Clerkships in the Legislature and in the executive offices are frequently given to women.

For six years Mrs. Anna Hepburn was recorder of Polk County, and this office has been held by women in other counties.

A law of 1892 requires cities of over 25,000 inhabitants to employ police matrons. They wear uniform and star and have the same authority as men on the force, with this difference in their appointment: The law makes it permanent and they can not be dismissed unless serious charges are proved against them.

A woman has been appointed a member of the Board of Examiners for the Law Department of the State University. For a number of years women have been sitting on the State boards of Charities and Reforms. They have served on the Board of Trustees of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home. A woman is on the State Board of Education, and another on the State Library Commission.

The law provides that women physicians may be employed in the State hospitals for the insane, but only two or three have been appointed. The Board of Control may appoint a woman on the visiting committee for these asylums but this has not yet been done. A few women have served on this board.

The law also provides for women physicians in all State institutions where women are placed, but does not require them.

The Legislature of 1900 passed a bill to establish a Woman's Industrial Reformatory of which the superintendent must be a woman. The salary is $1,000 a year.

Occupations: No profession or occupation is legally forbidden to women. In 1884 Iowa furnished, at Marion, what is believed to be the first instance of the election of a woman as president of a United States national bank.

Education: The universities and colleges, including the State Agricultural College, always have been co-educational.

In the public schools there are 5,855 men and 22,839 women teachers. The average monthly salary of the men is $37.10; of the women, $31.45.

The women of Iowa have thrown themselves eagerly into the great club movement, and clubs literary, philanthropic, scientific and political abound. The State Federation numbers 300 of these with a membership of 12,000. This, however, does not include nearly all the women's organizations.

By all the means at their command women are striving to fit themselves for whatever duties the future may have in store for them. With an unfaltering trust in the manhood of Iowa men, those who advocate suffrage are waiting—and working while they wait—for the time when men and women shall stand side by side in governmental as in all other vital matters.