The Penn's Grove record., 1905-01-27
NJ IN NcRWAY

HAS Finally 8eer C4aussd ~ Maoio,a-7 aa1
Cozoaogosl Eicet sas.
IN a few weeks me women Of Nor
way win be- ready To take part in local
elections as ~10ll~nedged voters A bill
conferring The municipal franchise up
on women has passed both houses OF
the Norwegian Parliament (Storthing),
and will become a law at the end Of
the present session.
The Norwegian women are not en-
tirely new to the franchise. Since 1895
they have exercised the right to vote
IN questions concerning the lactl regu-
lation Of the liquor traffic, and have
been a potent factor in shaping the
"liquor policy" Of their respective
communities. Encouraged by their ex-
perience and success in this limited
field. they have carried on an intelli-
gent, vigorous and persistent campaign
for equal rights. and have made head
way rapidly.
The adverse majority In the Stor-
thing has grown smaller and less de-
termined with every session, indicat-
ing that success would be sure to
crown their efforts in a near future.
Victory came sooner than expected.
They were prepared for just one more
defeat and hence were taken by sur
prise themselves when their bill on
May 10 passed the lower house by a
vote of SO to IL.
AS might be expected, the news OF
the victory created intense enthusiasm
among the women Of Norway. SIS it
really true? Is 1t possible?" exclaim-
ed n of the rank and file Of the suf-
frage army. "It is like a dream. To
think that this wall of thousands Of
years is leveled at last! This sky
high wall that blocked all our efforts
and barred out all the good we strove
to give to society. There was so much
that we wanted to right; our hearts
and hands were full of remedies. But
no-our advice was spurned. We
worked hard for needed reforms. In
vain. We had to repress our indigna-
ton. We must try to appear indifer-
ent. lest our fruitless complaints
should make US ridiculous. All we ac-
complished by our ~incessant efforts
was to make the lords of creation tired
of us. But nowl Now we need be-
seech and beg no longer. Without os-
%tentation we shall simply join hands
with all who agree with us to further
good reforms. 1t is incredible. Ye
chosen men Of Norway, this is the
greatest and best work you have
wrought during all of your public ca
Ieer. Thank you'll"
"We shall Immediately begin a cam
paign of education" says Mrs. Ragna
Nielsen, another leader in the suffrage
movement. Perhaps we need a cate
chism for women voters. But we have
already done a great work along this
line. Our first duty will be to clean
and beautify the city (Christiania).
We have already discussed these
things at our meetings, and have Inn
proved methods to suggest. VIZ shall
look after the step-children of society;
and we expect to reduce he tax bur-
dens by practicing strict economy. A
good housewife Is a ~circumspect buyer
and careful with her money; we shall
endeavor to apply the same principles
and methods to the management of our
common municipal household.
The reform was not carried as a
party measure. The Liberals were not
entirely unanimous in their support.
nor the Conservatives unanimous in
their opposition. One of the strongest
speeches for the bill was made by
Francis Hagerup, the Conservative
leader of Norway.-Chicago Skandina-
ven.