The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-08-06
WOMEN GET A CHANCE
AUSTRALIANS PARLIAMENT
MAKES THEM ELIGIBLE.
Great Interest in Test-Suffragists
Now Have an Opportunity to
Put Theories Into Actual
Practice.

WHlam ~. Curuss New York Special to
Chicago Record-HeraId.
The new Australian Federal Parliament
mas not only granted the election fran
| cnise 10 women, but has made them eligi-
Die 10 seats In that body Hence we will
now have a. practical experiment of wo-
man suffrage without restrictions in one
OF the most progressive communities of
the world, and the legislative capacity Of
the sex can be fully tested under the most
favorable circumstances.
Until 1901 Australia was divided into six
independent colonies owing allegiance to
the British. crown. Five of these were on
the continent, and the sixth, Tasmania
separated by strait $50 miles wide Each
still has its own independent Legislature
like those of our States for local affairs.
out they are now Joined in a confedera-
tion with comm On Parliament compos-
ed of two bodies very much like the Con-
gress of the United States and chosen in
a similar manner. In New Zealand, which
is still distinct and independent colony,
women have been voting for nine years;
in New South Wales they have had a
municipal franchise since 1867; in Victoria
since 1869, in West Australia since 1874, In
South Australia since 1880, in Tasmania
Stree 1884 and In Queensland since 1885,
and have been struggling all these years
granted in South Australia in 1894. with
the right to sit in the Colonial Legisla-
ture. and in 1900 in West Australia.
In the other colonies the lower branches
of the Legislature have passed an en-
REIMBURSEMENT act several times, but in
every instance 1t has been defeated by
the upper branch, CT House of Lords,
sometimes by only few votes. Finally.
when the federation was contaminated.
universal suffrage became an issue, and
was voted by large majority, so that
now all women of legal age In Australia
may vote for members of the federation
parliament, and are eligible for election
to that body, although In four of the six
provinces they cannot vote for members
OF the provincial Legislature nor for any
other than municipal officers.
1t Is, however, the most notable step in
the emancipation of women that has
ever occurred and the experiment will be
watched with anxiety as well as interest
by the entire fworld. Several women of
high character and intellectual attain
ments have already offered themselves as
candidates for the next Parliament.
The effect of this event upon the suf-
frage cause in Great Britain has not yet
been noticed. The excitement over at
fairs In South Africa and the coronation
OF the King has absorbed all attention,
and is likely to prevail for a few months
longer, when the newspapers will doubt
less have an opportunity to tell the Brit
ish people of the advanced step that has
been taken in favor of the women of their
greatest colony. While English women
of the higher class are great politicians
and take an active interest in parliament
tary affairs, the cause of woman suffrage
has been languis hing for several years,
and the political rights and privileges
granted to the sex years ago are sadly
neglected.
The English people, actuated by the ma
tional sense of fair play, were the first
to admit women taxpayers to a share of
the responsibility of local government.
Throughout the United Kingdom the
head of any family and every taxpayer,
whether man or woman. may become a
burgess, or belong to the school board,
sor the board. of excise. or the board of
guardians for the poor, and may fill va
rious local Offices Of influence and re-
sponsibility. They are also qualified to
vote at municipal elections but except in
a few isolated CAGES women have GEL
dom awaited themselves of their political
privileges. but have left the duties Of
government entirely to the men. Only a
very SIldll HuHlD6T OIL WOMEN ever go TO
the polls and those taking an active part
in the administration of affairs are so
few as to be novelties.
In the ceremonial and social side of poll
tics and in the excitement of parliament
tary contests In which they have no legal
right to participate they are often very
active and influential. Everybody has
heard of the Primrose League and the
s~a, a. t., t.t.
tics. and those who read English novels
as well as English newspapers are aware
of the activity of the wives and daugh-
tiers Of candidates In the country districts
when a general electian Is on, but the
tame and tedious details of educational
and charitable work appeal only to phil
anthropic souls.
/ was told in England last year by one
of the foremost agitators of universal
suffrage, who is also a prominent figure
in temperance work, that there has never
been fair opportunity to test the inf1u-
ence of women in British politics, nor
did she ever know of a political contest
that had been decided by womsns votes,
except here and there in the election of a
member of some parish school board, |
where the interests of the Church of Eng |
land were involved.
Any woman who pays taxes in London |
can vote at all elections for parish and
county officials for members of the coun- |
ty council. which Is really the governing
body of London; for members of the
board of education; for guardians of the |
poor, who disburse not less. than s25.OoO,- |
BOO annually for charity. and for mem |
bers of the borough councils, who have
charge of the license system and fran |
chises and corresponds to our city coun- |
ellis. BY a parliamentary act of 1879 they |
were substituted for the ancient parish |
vestrys, who for centuries controlled mu- |
nicipal affairs. There are twenty-eight |
Of these boroughs in London-cities with
in city.
Ia the rural districts a woman taxpayer |
can take part in all parish. or county |
elections. except for members of Parlia- |
nent. She must not be mere property |
owner, but must pay taxes, either as an |
owner or a tenant. or as the head of a |
business enterprise assessed for not less
than 910. Both husband and wife may
vote at the same election II they are not