New-York tribune., 1901-04-13

been employed as inspectors of tenements and
visitors for the relief of paupers in Glasgow
and other towns, but apart from School admins
tration they have not shown any marked inter-
est in local government. whether in town
country. Scotchwomen have made a larger
OF their political privileges than EngshWomen.
In Ireland until 1895 women could only vote for
Poor Law Guardians, except in the city OF Bel
fast and in the townships of Blackrock and
Kingstown; but their rights have been consid-
erably enlarged under the Local Govern
ment Act. They now eligible as Guardians,
ard, except in boroughs, as District Councillors,
urban and rural. While they cannot serve as
County Councillors. they be nominated as
candidates for local offices of considerable re-
sponsibility. They also qualified for voting
in all local government contests under more
libeI al conditions of registration than are known
elsewhere in the United Kingdom.
Woman suffrage cannot be regarded as a
lost cause in Great Britain. when local govern
ment is brought fairly within the range of the
political activities of the sex. II a closer ap-
proach to equality between sexes be made
in Ireland than in England or Scotland, many
diSa blities have been removed throughout the
United Kingdom. and the way has been opened
for larger share of responsibility for local ad-
ministration in future If women care to take
advantage of their opportunities. While Par
liamentary elections have been reserved ex-
clusively for men, the experiment has been
tried of allowing women TO vote for various
local councils and boards, and serve as mem
bers of School Boards, Boards of Guardians and
District Councils; and the results, instead of
stimulating interest in woman suffrage, have
tended to paralyze it. Only small minority Of
women qualified to exercise political rights cast
their ballots at the elections. and there has
been no marked increase of zeal for undertaking
an suffrage has had in the past distinguished
champions in and out of Parliament and once
in while there is a dress parade debate in the
Commons; but public interest in the political
enfranchisement of women has steadily de-
clined during the last twenty years. The trend
Of recent experience indicates that the odtime
agitators not justified in forecasting any
large access of political interest as the outcome
Of extension of suffrage to women. When the
opportunity of enlarged usefulness and civic
responsibility is offered 1t is sluggshly accept
ed, without any appreciable result in the i'm
provement of local government.
1t is evident, indeed. that Englishwomen take
a more active interest in the ceremonial and
social side OF politics than in the drudgery and
routine of local administration The Primrose
League is popular movement among women,
and exerts great influence in political life The
Ladies' Grand Council is a social force in
rying a general election, and the Primrose
danes in habitations throughout the country
are electioneering agents of exceptional eff
cheney. The daughters wives and sisters of
Liberals equally active in a general
vass. and women play a conspicuous part in
every appeal to the electorate for a Parliament
ary election. There Is no lack of interest among
educa ted and well born women in the orna-
mental and social side of British politics. When
the dull levels of local administration
reached men are left in possession of the field.
Women not interested in what is done with
the ratepayer's money. The schools concern
them especially when some religious question
is raised, but little else in the local administra-
tion attracts them. They do not vote and they
exercise little influence in local contests. Be
cause this lethargy is displayed, agtators
losing heart. and despair Of ever reviving pub
lie interest in woman suffrage. 1. N. f.