Dictation

Before Maria takes the stage, I'd like to take a moment to honour 

her late husband Ralph who passed away last month at the age of 89. 

Ralph supported Maria over the past ten years while she acted as vice

 president, and I know as well as the rest of you that if he were

 here today he would be the first

 one to stand up and encourage the standing ovation that 

Maria deserves today. Now, please join me in welcoming Maria.

For twenty-five years I've been a woman's rights man. I have always believed,  long before my mother died, that, with her gray hairs and admirable intellect,  perhaps she knew as much as I did. Perhaps she knew as much about voting as I.  I should like to see the time come when women shall help to make the laws.  I should like to see that whiplash, the ballot, in the hands of women. 

As for this city's government, I don't want to say much, except that it  is a shame - a shame; but if I should live twenty-five years longer - 

and there is no reason why I shouldn't - 

I think I'll see women handle the ballot. If women had the ballot  today, the state of things in this town would not exist.