Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-05-22
EQUAL SUFFRAGE IN ENGLAND,

The equal suffrage question has
been agitating political circles In Eng
land lately, and according 10 the press
dispatches from LONDON. large dele
CATION Of women waited upon the
British Premier. Campbell Banner
man. at the foreign office aud clam.
cred for legislation granting the suf-
frage to their sex They represented
organizations from different parts Of
the British isles. and eight OF their
number were permitted each to speak
for five minutes, They made the usual
arguments IN favor OF equal suffrag &C.
which We're not disputed. About forty
members az parliament accompanied
The four hundred ladies who COM
posed tho delegation, but did not take
active part in the interview. lmme-
dlate legislation was demanded by the
speakers, one Of whom announced that
the women of their societies were pre-
pared to sacrifice their lives In behalf
Of their cause. 1t appears that the
Of women Of all classes in the social
order, from countesses and other la
dies of title. to factory women and
other wage-workers.
The Premier seemed to take the
appeal IN good-natured, but not very
serious manner. He intimated that he
was personally favorable to their
cause, but did not think that any Inn
mediate change in their direction
would be made In the election laws.
When he announced that perhaps IN
n few years they would obtain the
right to vote. he was Kissed for the In.
cautious remark. He pointed TO the
strides that had been made of late
years In the direction OF woman suf-
fragc. as an Indication Of what would
probably be accomplished in the fu-
ture. He was evidently diplomatic In
his remarks, perceivlng that II would
Not be wise to take direct Issue with
such body and at the same time
that he could not fairly make any de.
itnlte promises as TO the probable ac-
iion of Parliament In that direction.
II takes time to wear away the pre-
Judice which exists against giving wo-
men the right to vote on the affairs
of the nation. but We believe that the
British Premier was right In his init.
nation that tho women OF England
would ultimately obtain the boon
which they demanded. The cause OF
woman suffrage, on either side Of the
Atlantic. has been to some extent re.
tarded by the extreme course taken by
n few very prominent lady advocates,
They are so strenuous in their meth
DDS that they excite, instead OF allay-
ing, that strong prejudice which
stands between nearly all old customs
and the innovations that retormcrs en-.
dcavor to introduce. We regard It as
n mistake when they level their de.
mands' at the authorities Of the state
OF nation which they desire 10 bring
ia terms II they were little more
placatory we believe Il would answer
petttf purpose.
The elective frnnchise, as has been
frequently explained IN these columns
Is regarded IN political circles rs pri.
viloge and not an inherent right. Ciu.
zenship and suffrage are not the same.
While person Is not entitled TO tho
elective franchise who Is not a eli.
zen it does not follow that every eli.
zen holds the franchise. The right 10
vote is regulated by law, and differs
IN various nations and states. The Ia.
dies who demand equal rights with
men IN political affairs. I'm most IN.
stances fail to recognize this dstinc.
ton Therefore demands made IN
a belIIgerent and sometimes offensive
spirit, hinder instead Of Fastening the
movement which they agItate.
The declaration Of the ladies who
waited upon the British Premier that
they We're willing TO sacrifice their
lives In behalf Of their demands" was
unnecessary and con, eyed NO force in
the desired direction Laying down
their lives Is very unlikely occur.
renee. and would not AID them or their
sex In reaching the goat OF their exer-
tons Their efforts would be better