It may well be understood that this secret society of women, this non-partisan league of voters, is a thing to strike terror into the heart of a ward boss.  As a matter of fact, the corrupt politicians and the equally corrupt heads of corporations who had long held Denver in bondage regard the Public Service League in mingled dread and detestation.  Equally as a matter of fact politicians of a better class are anxious to enlist the good will of the League.  Last summer a Denver election involved a question of granting a twenty years’ franchise to a street railway company.  Opposed to the granting of the franchise was a newly formed citizens’ party.  Opposed also was the Women’s Public Service League.  In gratitude for the co-operation of the League the Citizens’ Party offered a place on the electoral ticket to any woman chosen by the League.

It was the first time in the history of Colorado that a municipal office had been offered to a woman, and the League promptly took advantage of it.  They named as a candidate for Election Commissioner Miss Ellis Meredith, one of the best known, best loved women in the State.  As journalist and author and club woman Miss Meredith is known far beyond her own State, and her nomination created intense interest not only among the women of her own city and State, but among club women everywhere.

On the evening of May 3, 1910, there was a meeting held in the Broadway Theater, Denver, the like of which no American city ever before witnessed.  It was a women’s political mass meeting to endorse the candidacy of a woman municipal official.  The meeting was entirely in the hands of women.  Presiding over the immense throng was Mrs. Sarah Platt Decker, formerly president, and still leader of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs.  Beside her sat Mrs. Helen Grenfell, for thirteen years county and State superintendent of schools, Mrs. Helen Ring Robinson, Mrs. Martha A.B.  Conine, and Miss Gail Laughlin, all women of note in their community.  The enthusiasm aroused by that meeting did not subside, and on the day of the election Miss Meredith ran so far ahead of her ticket that it seemed as if every woman in Denver, as well as most of the men, had voted for her.  She took her place in the Board of Election Commissioners, and was promptly elected Chairman of the Board.

There is nothing especially attractive about the office of Election Commissioner.  In accepting the nomination Miss Meredith said frankly that she was influenced mainly by two things:  first a desire to test the loyalty of the women voters, and second, because, while women had been held accountable for elections which have disgraced the city of Denver, they have never before been given a chance to manage the elections.

Nothing is more certain that women, when they become enfranchised, will never, in any large numbers, appear as office seekers.  It is probable that office will be thrust upon the ablest of them.  Mrs. Sarah Platt Decker has been spoken of as a possible future Mayor of Denver, and it is certain that she could be elected to Congress if she would allow herself to be placed in nomination.