The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1873-05-30
WOMAN SUFFRAGE MENGLAND
Sketch OF the Movement by Emily Faith
full.

Some years ago, my presence at the
dinner-tabIe of well-known London
Journalist was the signal for animated
debate on the woman question" dur
ing which the political equality of the
sexes was introduced by an ardent fol-
lower of Jacob Bright and John Stuart
Mill The speaker found himself in an
unpleasant minority, until my friend,
Lord Houghton, exclaimed "WeIl,
there is one peculiarly about the polit-
ieal equality of men and women when
ever penalties have to be enforced, the
weak and inferior sex bears its full
share of the burden Look at the
French revolution for example-the po-
IiticaI equality granted to women was
the equality of the scaffold."
think this was about the time that
myself became convinced, after many
years of work in behalf of the indus
trial and educational interests of wo-
men, that not only are women compelled
to earn their own livelihood entitled to
a political status but that without it
they must remain grievously over
weighted in all their endeavors to OBJ
tain work and Justice There is an in
separable connection between political
power and the redress of social griev-
ances.
do not prentend, in this article, to
do more than set before those interested
in this subject a brief sketch of the snf-
frage movement in England. I offer no
Comments upon the American aspect of
the question. I came here to learn
rather than to teach but have learned
enough to sympathize with the claim
which is being made on both sides of
the Atlantic to confer the privileges as
well as the duties of citizenship upon
women
just before left England we had
curious confirmation of Lord Hough-
tons views of the political equality at
present enjoye by women. A certain
town in Somersetshire, called Bridge
water, was guilty of bribery and cor
ruption during our last Parliamentary
election. An Investigation was ordered,
and subsequently fine of three shiI-
lings IN the pound was imposed on the
rate-payers for the malpractices of
Bridgewater voters That fine was I'M
posed on the woman rate-payers as well.
These ladies naturally complained of
this unjust and oppressive taxation, in
asmuch as, not exercising the franchise,
they had in no way been guilty of the
malpractices thus punished. They
sent mp formal petition to the secreta-
ry of state for the home department,
but that worthy dignitary was forced to
reply GO that it was not in his power to
exempt women owning property from
the local and imperial taxation to which
property is liable"
There is no doubt that the movement
for women's suffrage has made great
progress in England during the last few
years. In 1870, for example, there
were only 100 constituencies ranged on
the side of the measure which seeks to
secure it whereas, in 1871, there were
125, and from that date we mark a grow
ing number. In the House of Com
mons you find all. the talent of the
House, whether on the liberal or con-
servative side, in company with the dis
tinguished chiefs of the radical party,
warmly supporting the proposal. The
two great political rivals, Mr.. Gladstone
and Mr.. Disraei, are more friendly
than hostile. The former clearly show
ed, in a recent utterance before the
electors of Greenwich, that he realizes
the fact that some change is necessary
IN an age "when from year TO year,
more and more women are becoming
self-dependent members of the commu-
nifty ;" and Mr.. Disraeli, still more
boldly, said in his place in Parliament,
that he {" was at a loss to see, when you
come to discuss the matter as one of
right, how any one could dispute the
claim" The platform and the press
have been actis ely engaged in establish
ing a solid foundation upon which to
build, but cannot say that agree
with some sanguine friends who insist
that the foundation is not only laid,
but the building is erected, the coping
stone adjusted, with the reIlearsed song
of victory ready to be sung. The ques-
tion has, indeed, taken rank in England
as Parliamentary question, and is a
great gain; but the toughest part of the
battle is yet to be fought You have to
knock pretty loudly at the door of the
stolid British legislature before adrnis-
sion is granted, and this demand for the
acknowledgment of women has hitherto
merely s...s..-s. .s-..f
s'AIade tapping
AS Of some one gently trapping, rappiRg at the
ehamber-door,"
compared with what it must do before
the end is gained.
OF course, there are some who still
dispute the fact that women suffer any
injustice from the laws. I could fill
columns with instances which woaId
break down any lingering suspicion
that women have not grievances in this
direction. Two years ago, while string
emit laws were being put in force even
against the semblance of popery in the
Episcopal church, Protestant mother
was ordered to educate her child in the
very doctrines the decision in the Pu-
chas case was supposed to resist.
There are some contradictions in the
laws for women, /" writes the Hon. Mrs.
Norton, and in.their supposed status,
which, bat for the deadly pain they in
fiict, would inspire the smile of con-
tempt :" and 1 have frequently heard
Lord Brigham assert that there must