The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-12-07 00:00:00

t4e touriyibge (94sertrer.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1872.

WOMAN SUFFRAGE.

The secretary of an association for promoting
Woman Suffrage, has caused to be published a
letter from a lady who places the question of
votes for women in a light by which it has not
hitherto been regarded. The lady wishes to
know what action the Conservative party is
" prepared to take on the important question of
the so called women's suffrage, to my mind more
properly to be named property suffrage." She
maintains that the right of property to represen-
tation ought not to be forfeited by the accident
of a woman beingQin possession; that to grant
woman suffrage would be a thoroughly Conser-
vative measure ; that the axiom that taxation
and representation should go hand in band is a
Constitutional and a Conservative one ; and that
"the enormous amount of political power thrown
into the hands of the subversive classes by the
last electoral Reform Bill wade it most import-
ant to secure the rights of property, too long
suffered to remain in abeyance." Now we have
in desire to argue this question from any
ki.,int of view, and we will merely take excep-
'ioa to the lady's phrase, " subversive classes."
We cannot admit that a great mass of those to
whoui a vote was given by the last Reform Act
can fairly be called the subversive classes. The
class to whom this word " subsersive" can rightly
be applied is, after all, but a small one, and does
not include the great working class of the Bri-
tish Empire. We are rather glad, however, to
And an evidently staunch Conservative lady ad-
vocating votes for women as a constitutional and
Conservative measure, because hitherto this ex-
tension of the suffrage has chiefly been advoca-
ted by members of the Liberal party. But the
truth is that the question is not a party question
at all. The proposal to give votes to women can
scarcely be considered as Conservative, inasmuch
as such a proposal would be opposed to the spirit
of Conservatism, which seeks to maintain exist-
ing institutions and prevent any fundamental
alterations, and woman suffrage would certainly
be one; nor can the proposal be fairly called
Liberal in the party sense, inasmuch as it is by
no means certain that the majority of women
belong to the Liberal side of politics, or that
giving them votes would promote the Liberal
MOO. it is indeed rather a social than a poli-
tical question.
Do women want votes? We think not. Un-
doubtedly there are a comparative few hulks
who have more or less agitated for votes, but the
great mass of the women of this country, we
maintain, show by their apathy, or at least in-
action, that they do not desire votes, and we
think it will be quite time enough to give them
votes when they demand them. Would they be
any better off, socially, morally, or politically if
they had votes ? We think not. There is no
country in the world, America not excepted,
where women have a higher and more legitimate
influence than in the United Kingdom. Their
domestic and social power is unlimited ; they
exercise an influence, directly and indirectly, on
our press, and therefore on our people; they
take an active share in all the philanthropic
agency of the country; and it is well known
that they exert considerable influence individu-
ally on our electors, and therefore in the choice
of our representatives. To give women votes
would be to place them in some respects on a
vei with men in a political sense, but such a
eilltiOn in our electoral arrangements would
at inevitably be productive of further revel-
iutionary demands. Indeed no one can have any
iciiea where constitutional changes would stop.
The very same arguments that are employed in
the advocacy of female suffrage need be pushed
uuiy a little farther to advocate the election of
seinen as representatives; and as members of
me Muastry are cnosen from the Legislature,
another step might be to have ladies in the Cab-
met; and who shall say that at some distant
period perhaps, we 'eight not have a House of
Ladies as well as a House of Lords. The fallacy
of an argument is indeed often best shown by
pushing it to extremeties. " Woman's rights"
is in fact an elastic phrase, and it is difficult to
say what it does and does not include. The
ladies have already gained considerable victories
and we do not begrudge them. We have now
lady doctors and ladies on our school boards, and
in neither position can they be said to be out of
place. For certain departments of medical
practice women are admirably adapted by nature,
and if to this are added the requisite education
and training women may become skilful doctors
commanding the gratitude of their patients and
the respect of the public. in education our
countrywomen ought to have their fair share of
power. They have always exercised an immense
influence in the education of children, and there
is no reason whatever why ladies should not have
their places on the consultative bodies who are
practically our legislators in educational niatters.
But to give women votes for candidates for seats
in the House of Commons is a step which the
country is not yet prepared to take, and which
we maintain women do not desire should be
taken.

'lea is an alimentary product of the highest order, and
its inestimable qualities, once only at the command of
the rich, are now placed within the reach of the most
humble family. The valuable properties which prove so
refreshing and grateful to all tea drinkers, are found al-
most exclusively in the young leaves, imported ins pure
state; the public desire such, and to meet their wants,
Alessrs. Borman= cohtinue to supply through appointed
Agents, and in sealed packets only, TEA that is guaran-
teed pare and wholesome, and at the same time strung,
delicious and cheap. Sold by 2,538 Chemists, Conf.,
ke., in 1,000 Towns. See advertisement in this
price for iist of local Agents.
e., SOuTEIIN.I Stave lon CHILDREN!
cu ant always be used when Children are cattiug teeth.
it it, iieves the little sufferers at once, it proi ces natural
qu, t sleep by relieving the child from pain, and the little
cherub awakes "as bright as a bu.ton, ' It is perfectly
harmless, and very pleasant to taste. It soothes the
a Ind, it softens the gums, allays all pain, relieves wind,
regulates the bowels, and is the best known remedy for
opt...lvry curl diurriami, whether arisaig from teething
..1 ..• •,-14. Airs. insiow'sSimin.oa sy iup iat onto
l.y oot:rased. of Aleliicine Orators In all parts of the
iorld I Sr Ito ,sua M.ltioiis ot Mothers can
testify to its virtue.--Alauelactory, 493, Unload-street,
London.

BRoWN'S BRONCHIAL TROCHRe. for the core of Coughs,
Colds, Hoarseness, Bronchitis, Asthma. Cearrh, or any
irritatiOU Or soreness of the throat, are now imported and
,old in this country at Is lid per box. put up iu the form
of a "lozenge." It is the most convenient, pleasant,
safe and sure remedy for clearing and strengthening the
voice known in the world. 'The Rev. Henry Ward Beecher
nays: •. I have often recommended them to friends who
were public speakers, and is many cases they have provid
eVremely serviceable." The genuine have the words
" Brown's Bronchial Troches" on the Government stamp
atoned each box. Sold by all medicine vendors.—Lon.
don Depot, 493 Oxford-street.
Moe!, CURES OP ASTHMA AND COUOTIS RV DR. Lococx's
PCLAIONIC WA/TlM—From Mr. C. Collins, Chemist,
Bretton Lane, Stonrbridge: 'Several have taken them
for asthma. coughs, vte., and in every case they have had
the desired effect. In my 'pinion, they surpass anything
that has been offered to the public." Is Asthma, Con.
1 so ulp,ion, Broachai4, CJa.j,.., Calls, Gout. liheumatiom.
a... 1 all liyeterical arta pier:- es poios ...taut relief is given
DJ Da. LOCOCK'S WAN'Clii, which taste plessantly.
dold by all Druggista at Is lid.