New-York tribune., 1899-07-21
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much wider and much deeper question-namey,
whether or not for all purposes and in respect or
all political affairs. the distinction Of sex should
be altogether removed. The bill as introduced
did not contain this provision. and he would like
TO ask Mr.. Courtney. the member for Bodmn.
whether this was not part OF a movement In
iavor OF giving women the Parliamentary fran
chise?
The Marquis OF Salisbury replied: Certainly
The Lord Chancellor delighted 10 hear the
MARQUIS say so He was prepared 70 admit mat n
women had done admirable work in administration
as distinguished from government In some things.
perhaps women couid DO better man mel, men, on, e
was convinced that the very qualities whch m Hlaue N
women so charming so burningly Jealous. and so
short Of perfection would render them very Dan, Dan
gerous guides In political matters. (Cheers ana
the turkish question. the temperance question,
vaccination. and another question which he did
Themselves forward as representing their sex would
not be III the best specimens M ems ers eeenf Of c
zenshp was TO have an independent mlnd anaa aa
these were not qualities one expected from women:
The constitution had been formed supported ana
gery un%ise Ht to tamper with i by handing
half of the government Of this great country TO
The Earl Of Kimberley followed and strongly in,
sisted on the point that the bill II stood conferred
no new privilege on women. but merely continued
an old privilege The question at issue had notnlng
mentary franchise for women.
The Duke Of Devonshire spoke next, and said that
Boards Of Guardians and School Boards. he was
opposed to their presence on municipalities, ana II
paites it would be impossible to keep them on the
The Archbishop Of York. on the other hand. op-
posed the amendment urging that women mad done
sSTa seTTices ESQ Ought to be retained
The Marquis OF Londonderry took the same line.
laying special stress the useful work that women
could do in connection with the rehousng OF the
The debate ended with long speech from the
Duke Of Northum oerland in favor Of Lord Dun
The House then divided and the amendment was
carried by l2 70 8
LADY BALFOUR SPEAKS
That the result Of the debate was not considered
final defeat by the women may be inferred from
Lady Frances Balfour's remarks in opening the pro-
ceedings Of the Internal tional Congress OF Women
few days later She said she had hoped before
this meeting that the status OF women in local gov
ernment in London at any rate. would have been
determined in their favor. Though they had been
beaten in place. the present was not an alto
gether discouragtng situation. There had been two
good debates and successful divisions in the House
OF Commons, in which the work that women could
DO for local government was fully recognized, and
testimony given TO their usefulness in that drec-
Lords they had felt that the consideration Of the
mons. But in the debate in the House OF Lords they
had had much 10 refresh ana strengthen theHl-
II There erg T?s ne very ywb ceay a aEed step
onward. In all the discussions there was no cues
only a question Of their sitting on the new, Lon
don councils II not very long ago when II
was considered impossible that women should have
a vote for local government bodies. The debate in
the House Of Lords produced the very fullest House
subject under discussion was so interesting that II
rs me s6e certainly Z2 did not despair the day
would when they would vote in favor or
present position was not encouraging. They had
lord Salisbury and Mr.. Balfour on their side, and
they would not go back upon their action.
MRS. CoRBETT GIVES STATISTICS.
Mrs Corbett stated that the changes IN local gov
ernment during the last sixty seventy years had
affected the status OF women in England very
little. AS a matter Of fact. women owed very
little to modern legislation, except 70 the extent
that modern legislation did not until the present
time seek to deprive them Of the rights they al
ready possessed. A study of the old common law
of England showed no disbelief In the power Of
to take her share in local government AS
far back they need 60 the English law admit
ted, though perhaps somewhat grudgingy, wom-
ans equality with man in local government There
eXceptOn-the towns-but thdt exception
was made not because the law doubted womans
capacity govern but because the trade societies
which had absorbed the government OF the towns,
might have dealt generously, and perhaps
justly, when the government OF towns was re-
ance more man bl VIZ tbe law had done fairly by
women in local government II had hitherto re,
fPPem The present government was really the first
thaf had tried 10 clirtai the rights Of woman. but
MOI bv a direct straightforward attack when they
trick Of turning bodies that were really vestries
into sham corporations. and decent mayors INTO
Mrs. Evans, a member Of 81. Martin,s yestrly;
said that Lord Halsbury in opposing women bi bag m
the debate the London Government DiIl, s hal
his eyes on a totally different suoJect 70 thSt Indet
discussion If he had he oeem S6pd baVe been QUICK
Iv called 10 order. He was very mucn alraia tiat
mons or House OF Lords It was quite wonderful
that gentleman sitting S on me ssf and see
a cbair called the Throne. which was Kept excIIn.
sire I yege iV 70 be the rst TO speak in the House
Of Lords coon rrFrcr
Mrs. H. Fawcett. president OF the National Union
of Wouens Suffrage Societies. in conversation with
. -e,resentative OF The Tribune. said that the ac-
ton Of the House of Lords would have some eHec'
IN gaining converts TO the cause OF women SUI
frage Many people would say that II thls was the
treatment TO be accorded to women, that they
80 N he rejected with contumey from being al
Iouped 70 do good work in the future. Il gave them
a new proof that the only security against re-
cIrrence Of such treatment was the possession OF
the Parliamentary franchise. .oo,,,,r ,rss,der, ~
tbe NewoYork State Woman Suffrage Association.
when speaking sed or [ne attention to the Lord Chan
cellors assertion that the very quaHy WhlSa
nrompis the burning zeal Of woman to do what she
believes 10 be right-wi accept no compromise VIII
accept nothing but that whlch she oeheHes ] 10 us
righf-that very quality renders her a dangerous
e9j5e in political questions" He declared this 70
be no ''derogation' 10 women said MIS-. chapman
because it made them the light and charm oi nl
n,ttb nolitical power would not be the best VINO
would come forward. II was dangerous poicyi; yi,,
strange" she continued, WIN IeeHns' 'id. l ilto
and charm IS so good in one place and so danger,
Gus in another Strange that the woman VINO VII VIII
accept only what she believes 10 De rBht "ouIu
be such a marpot in government. But II Is the
rea son why the Lord Chancellor or England is
aSsfs ~ "a Elementary suffrage for women, which
he FELT would be the goal OF the London Govern
ment bill - - 90. 49, .a,.o-s =, .-rba
Woman's Journal In speaking OF tne aeoste saio. 70
'archhishops - and Bishops have reputation TOT
conservatism but in this matter they joined them-
selves with the party favorable 10 the Dill ,
"It is true the Archbishop of Canterbury lately