The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-10-22
SERVE IN THE LEGISLATURE.
Two Western Women of Prominent
Political Eminence.

Two Western Women Of Prominent
Political Eninence.
There are no limits to the possiblli-
ties of the western women of America.
Mrs. Mary A. Wright, Mrs. Clara L.
Campbell and Hattie Y. Noble were
elected members Of the Idaho house Ct
representatives in 1898, under the wom
ans suffrage amendment to the state
constitution in 1896. Thus far their
services as lawmakers have been emf
nently satisfactory to their constitu
ents
Mrs. Wright, the representative from
Kootenai county, the extreme northern
part of the state, has long been recog-
ni2ed as one of IdahOs most success
full educators. She and her husband are
both heavy taxpayers. She has always
taken lively interest in public affairs
and has made q study of public ques-
tions. yet she is not professional poll
tician. The nomination came to her
unsolicited and it was only after per-
sistent argument that she consented 10
become candidate. Mrs. Wright re-
ce.ved her nomination by a two-thirds
vote of her party. She spent her cam
paign in the school room making but
one campaign trip, and that when she
was invited to meet the people i'll the
remotest part Of her county, at Bon
ner's Ferry, yet she wae elected by
large majority.
Mrs. Wright is an active worker in
primaries. county and state conventions
and has served on some of the most
important committees in these conven-
tions. While in the legislature she was
chairman of the engrosSing committee.
a member of the committee on educa-
ton and of the committee on privileges
and elections; she was also appointed
on a number of special committees and
was appointed to preside over the house
while that body was in a committee of
the whole, and is said to have welded
the gavel with dignity and impartiality.
Mrs. Wright is refined and cultured
and made many friends during her
stay at the capital
She began her political work in 1894.
During the campaign of 1856 she work.
ed for the suffrage amendment, not as
political issue, but as an act of just
ice to women, appealing to all parties
1t is difficult for them to understand
the prejudice that exists in the East.
She says:
II only wish the eastern states could
see us enjoy our freedom. We are just
as feminine as though We had never
exercised the franchise and our hus-
bands, fathers and brothers are just
as fond of us as they ever were. I
wish the East could understand as we
do"
Mrs Clara l.. Campbell represented
Ada county in the Idaho Legislature
last winter. She was born and educat-
ed in Connecticut. She has had no spe-
cha career" but has been thrown up
on her own resources to a great extent,
owing to the feeble condition of her
husbands health, which has given ner
training and experience which, in con-
nection with her sound sense and up
right character, fit her for almost any
public position of trust and RESPONSE
bility. She was married to William @.
Campbell in 1863 After the birth Of
their three eldest sons they removed to
Illinois, where they spent a, few years.
In 1875. owing to the i'll health of her
husband, they went to the Pacific
coast, where she spent some time in
Eugene, Ore. teaching music.
The continued i'll health Of her hus-
band, caused by long service in the
civil war, called for another change
Of climate, and in the fall of 1878 they
We're commissioned by the United
States government to take charge Of
the government school upon the Nez
Perez Indian agency. Here they re-
NAMED for five years.