New-York tribune., 1899-07-21
NOT ELIGIBLE AS ALDERMEN.
MORE ABOUT WOMEN NOT BEING AL
LOWED TO SIT ON THE LONDON
MUNICIPALITIES.
cE1s DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS PRO-
DuCED THE FULLEST HOUSE SINCE
THE HOME RULE DISCUSSION.

rTus DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS PRO-
puCED THE FULLEST HOUSE SINCE
THE HOME RULE DISCUSSION.
The recent debate in the House OF Lords over
the question whether women should be eligible as
Municipal Councillors and Aldermen OF London"
says club woman Just returned from that city
proved not only notable occasion there. but has
awakened widespread interest among the pro-
gressive women of all nations"
Such crowd OF Lords as was present there that
day IS seldom except when big political
issue IS TO be debated. But in this case the issue
was not party question That a good many
women were interested in the question the appear
ance OF the ladies' galleries sufficiently showed
Out Of the large number OF peeresses present IT
only possible to mention a few names-the Ouch
esses Of Argyll. Marlborough Beaufort Bucking-
ham and Chandos and Lenster: the Marchionesses
and Dowager Marchonesses OF Downshire, Water
ford and Tweeddale; also Lady Halsbury and Lady
Crewe
The scene on that occasion. said so good an au-
thority The Pail Mall Gazette" has not been
matched for fascination brilliancy by any gather
ing that London in the height OF the season can
chow. When Lord Halsbury took his seat the
afternoon streamed through the gorgeous win
dows upon busy and animated scene The Grim
benches the Government side OF the House
were packed and the Unionist peers overhowed
and filed the gaps in the ranks Of the Opposition
Two benches full OF bishops made a white spot in
7he symphony OF black and gray. There hum
of low conversation the formal business was
run through. and the House got into committee
about 4:45. At this time the aspect of the House
was kaleidoscope in its colOring and exceedingly
vivid In the background the gorgeous dull
gilt canopy OF the throne before which stood such
interested members OF the other house Mr..
Balfour, the Marquis Of Lorne and Mr. Lecky
Every in the galleries was taken. The crowd
Of peers included many who had not been seen
ahis session before, and others who took part IN
first class debate for the first time
After the Duke of Norfolk had given a rather de-
1ailed answer to a question from Lord Kelvin with
regard TO mail contracts. the House resolved itself
into Committee on the London Government BILL
and Lord Dunraven at once moved TO amend Clause
] by emitting the words which give women the
right to sit as Councillors and Aldermen.
Lord Dunraven claimed that the words Of the bill
had been carried in the House of Commons by a
snap vote. He argued that II TO be
allowed 70 Sit on the London municipalities it
weud be impossible TO resist the extension OF the
same privilege 10 the great provincial municipalities
and the County Councils. This is not only insert
ang the thin end Of the wedge but it is driving the
wedge home in such way that hereafter It may
split the whole fabric Of society"
LORD sALIsBURYS VIEWS
Lord Salisbury followed, and began by dealing
with reference which Lord Dunraven had made
10 the last Royal Academy banquet
Tn my speech on that occasion. said Lord Sails
ul0 not OoJecL 10 women DrlnS AIderlneu
or County Councillors any more than objected TO
their riding bicycles What I did object 10 was
cosiume s R1'' LOUD augher But that 0 ho%ever S&
hardly enters into the Purview OF this bin C'Hear!
has introduced simile 10 which We are much
eassomed namey the t use OF the INN nj END nd Of sne
nent Of those people who say that by allowing
Fase1ipg 70 on S' the M extension of the Psramentsry
franchise women. Whenever woman suffrage
comes up for the judgment Of the House Of LORDS
We shall pay great attention 70 the proposal, but it
S merely leading US of on false scent to say we
are arguing woman sufrage now. tCheersJ Lord
Dunraven has given an entirely false view OF the
clause by representing that 1t introduces a. great
women precisely the same access 10 the new mu-
r new Councils differ very little from the yes
tries But they will have one or two additional
the housing Of the working classes but beyond this
the change is merely chahge OF Oi area "a ano % q
aid 70 ' saw tbey nave been unworthy Of the
take such a step without good cause shown -.
Is something infectious in name, and that II
these bodies in London were called nun municipai @
councils and women were allowed 70 slt upon theIn en-
straightway women would start up, ana woulo slt
OF the municipal councils al over Ine county,; h
J. IS ridiculous TO suppose that so ss srSas cnsts
would come the munlclpaI Doales OF at otnet
towns and this cannot poss,oH ny eycSs,6n or re-
pea!ing the power which hve years ago was gwen
tse Sy 5 M me duties Of these new bodies
would be 10 provide for the housing OF the WORKING
because those women who gave their atteiltion 70
The working classes in closer touch Win mem
than any man could possibly be cHe&sr' ear nrin9 nedr
Women. being more IN toucn " WI hs,te- t sbs 70
suide the bodies on which they sat IN matters Soa
nected with social life and the moral eXsLsncee'
Women were more Impressed with the nunahia IN, III
tartan elements and were moved 10 act dsdils. sir
terrible evils OF great city more oy areneved neYed
philanthropy than men. II women were leng IS -
from the Council Chamber the Rouse S. wHuI1 -
taking away one of the most reliaol stnusatnrs ~
true honest and unhagging admin Ia ord
the law Hear. hearJ There is. saIo ar,n or
Salisbury in conclusion nothing IN the sS IaiaSS 20
PRINCIPLES OF Conservatism which Is o pPpoer So he
making these councils efficient as my tdireT
made. and protest against oelhg stter OF this
from the House OF Commons In tnattet % ,or a
kind For myself cannot refuse 10 wore 2an Loi "a "a
clause which will help forward IN some csI,se
NAV be IN a great degree high ana Ho"IL Jh, ~
and one which will promote the cause Vi Aners(
justice and OF true philanthropy. uoua chee'''
The Lord Chancellor was compelled 70 oiier
from the Prime Minister because he fet tnat '"e
question they had 10 decide was much ~ "lue' O"e
than whether women should sit as Aioei ieN
LET them look round the crowded oehches' ~
then at the Peeress's Galleries ABOVE 'ie' - -