After six enthusiastic sessions and the forming of a strong organization, the convention adjourned.  Thus the first Woman’s State Temperance Society ever formed was due almost entirely to Susan B. Anthony, because of her courage in demanding independent action and her successful efforts in calling the convention which inaugurated it.  The executive committee met in May and appointed her State agent, “with full power and authority to organize auxiliary societies, collect moneys, issue certificates of membership and do all things which she may judge necessary and expedient to promote the purposes for which our society has been organized.”

The Men’s State Temperance Society had issued an official call for a convention to be held at Syracuse in June, containing these words:  “Temperance societies of every name are invited to send delegates.”  Acting upon this invitation, the executive committee of the Woman’s State Temperance Society appointed Gerrit Smith, Susan B. Anthony and Amelia Bloomer as delegates.  Mr. Smith was not able to attend and, after their experience at Albany, there were serious doubts in the minds of the women whether they would be received.  They were much encouraged, however, by the receipt of a letter from Rev. Samuel J. May, written June 14, saying:  “The local committee are now in session.  I have just read your letter to them, and every member has expressed himself in favor of receiving the delegates of the Woman’s State Temperance Society, just as the delegates of any other society, and allowing them to take their own course, speak or not speak, as they choose.”

Miss Anthony and Mrs. Bloomer went to Syracuse, and on the morning of the convention received a call from Mr. May.  He came to inform them that their arrival had caused great excitement among the clergy, who comprised a large portion of the delegates and threatened to withdraw if the women were admitted.  Their action had alarmed the other delegates, who feared a disturbance in the convention, and they had requested Mr. May, as probably having the most influence, to call upon the ladies and urge them not to ask for recognition.  When they told him they should go to the meeting and present their credentials, he expressed great satisfaction and said that was just the decision he had hoped they would make.  They quietly entered the hall and took seats with other ladies at one side of the platform.  Immediately Rev. Mandeville, of Albany, turned his chair around with back to the audience and, facing them, attempted to stare them out of countenance.  William H. Burleigh, secretary, read the annual report, which closed, “We hail the formation of the Woman’s State Temperance Society as a valuable auxiliary.”  This precipitated the discussion.  Rev. Mandeville sprung to his feet and moved to strike out the last sentence.  His speech was filled with such venom and vulgarity as the foulest-mouthed politician would hesitate to utter.  He denounced the Woman’s State Temperance Society and all women publicly engaged in temperance work, declared the women delegates to be “a hybrid species, half man and half woman, belonging to neither sex,” and announced finally that if this sentence were not struck out he would dissolve his connection with the society.