The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-08-03
THE WAY 1T WAS DONE.

Idh WAY II AS UUNE.
To THE EDITOR OF THE NEW NORTHWEST:
English papers of date of June 10 re-
port the following scene in the House of
Commons on the occasion of debate
on the "Woman's Disabilities Removal
Bill" the second reading of which was
moved by Mr.. Jacob Bright, brother of
the great orator and statesman:
The remainder of the sitting was occupied
with debate on the ]Woman's Disabilities
Removal BILL" the second reading of which
was moved by Mr.. Jacob Bright.
Mr.. Haubury moved the rejection of the bill,
and took the opportunity to explain how he,
who had twice voted in favor of the measure,
now assumed this hostile position He con-
tessed that he had been influenced by the fact
that some OF the most honored mem bers of his
own party had advocated the measure, and
that the women when enfranchised would sup
port the Church and the Conservative party.
He now recognized the fact that political
strongholds were not to be built on shifting
sands, and that on the whole sit was time to
rise above petty political considerations"
Mr.. Cartwright seconded the amendment.
Mr.. Forsyth pointed out that every argument
]
equally effective eight years ago, when the lat
ter had been Secretary of Woman Suffrage
Association.
| The debate was continued by The O'Dono-
ghue, Sir w. Barttelot, Mr. BaIfour. Mr.. Beres-
ford Hope, and Mr. Butt, who opposed the bill,
whilst Mr.. HOpwood, Mr.. M'Laren, Sir j.
MKenna, Mr.. Henley, and Mr.. Jacob Bright
supported it.
At quarter past Mr.. Courtney rose, and a
remarkable scene followed. As soon as the
member presented himself, cries for a division
went up from the Conservative benches Mr.
Courtney persisted in his right to speak. and
recognizing this determination, the Ministeri-
alists continued to shout for a division, with
the result that not a single word of Mr.. Court
ney's opening remarks was audible. After the
| scene had proceeded for some minutes, it be-
came evident that the intended orator and
his audience had pitted themselves against
each other for trial of strength. At twenty
minutes past5 glass of water was brought to
Mr.. Courtney, which he gracefully accepted
and drank amid ringing cheers. Thus re-
freshed, he proceeded in dumb show, only the
indistinct sound of his voice occasionally
reaching the gallery. When he stopped to
| look at his notes, the cries for division were
varied bycals to "Read, read;" when he mo.
LltuldIllS SlOpptu iii the SlOTln ndu passed
over, he was greeted with shouts OF "Go on, &c
on" when he raised his voice to It's utmost
pitch, and endeavored to get in a word amid
the roar entreaties to "Speak up" were ad
dressed to him. At half past another glass
of water was brought in, and once more the
varied calls united in a resounding cheer. The
struggle proceeded for fully a quarter of an
hour longer, and when at a quarter TO the
Speaker rose and observed that according tc
the rules of the House the debate stood ad
jOurned, a final cheer went up from the Minis
terial benches, and Mr.. Courtney, who haC
been speaking with much animation during
, the final minutes, resumed his seat.
The MinisteriaIists mentioned abov,
are the gentlemanly (?) Conservatives
of whom the crafty and inscription
Earl of Beaconsfield is a type, and who
in times gone by, have opposed ever,
: measure having for its object the ad
vancement and amelioration of the con
dition of the people, and who, under th
Duke of Wellington, brought the coun
try to the very verge of civil war, an
: then yielded to force what they ha
e contemptuously refused to reason an
e eloquence.
+, The gentlemen who oppose the bi
: mistake assertion for argument an
s ideas for facts. 1t is a reform whic
will be finally carried for want of an
0 real objection to it, and it seems impo'
J, sible here, as there, for men to Oppos
S the bill in the quiet and sensible way i
which its advocates support it.
: The gist of the reform proposed
?, simply the removal of an unjust re
d striction, and allows all householder;
q whether men or women, to vote in Pal
liamentary elections if they choose, an
g with the aid of the whole Republica
d party, and many of the Liberals, th
! time is not far distant when wome
shall avail themselves of the most pre-
s cious privilege and protect their sex VI
s der the protection of the ballot-box.
J. A. F. PARKER.
Lower Weiser Valley, 1. T., July Is.