The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-02-04
Thirty-Seyen Meetings in
Campaign Broken Up.
ONE WOMAN ALLOWED VOTE
German Teacher Put on Books by Mis-
take, But Had TO Be
Given Ballot.
By LADY SOMERSET.


lish nation. and nowhere is this more
apparent than during an election con-
test. During the hottest tight. when po-
litical telling runs highest. the first rule
in America is that all speakers should
be heard.
There is unquestionably a restraint
and an innate sense OF justice through
out thar continent which is singulariy
absent in the British public. During
The recent campaign, thirtyrseYen meet
ings in England were broken up, nine
Iecn platforms stormed ard carried, and
over fifty speakers howled down. two
people killed and q couple of hundred
injured.
we hear great deal about the Brit
ish love OF fair play. but this boosted
characteristic is strangely lacking in
an English crowd Violence and rude
ness are traditional at election time.
and an oTderIs, election swouId be con-
sidered sign that little interest was
taken in lie contest.
An English election audience which
either differs or objects 10 a speaker
makes him inaudible by booing. The
Americans show their disapprobation by
an emptying hal. and it would be al
most impossible TO imagine what the
four months' campaign OF a Presiden-
tial election would mean were It con
Quoted in the spirit which reigns in
English election times.
Individual Ideas Reign.
There is, however, one vast difference
which, TO a certain extent, may &C
count for the angry controversies which
take place in our meetings. There IS
more scope for individuality in the Eng
lish member OF parliament than there
is in the American political representa-
tive. For instance a Republican stands
for the Republican platform and a
Democrat stands for the Democratic.
but in England a Conservative may have
all sorts OF personal views on many
subjects which require calculation and
may be especially obnoxious to his op-
p9nents, and which can only be drawn
forth By hacking; or a Liberal may go
a great deal further than his party
tradition. and consequently this needs
I. be exposed by his Conservative ad-
versaries.
In America, the meetings OF the Re-
publicans are usually held TO incite the
enthusiasm OF that political party. and
Democrats rarely attend them, and vice
versa. whereas in England the enemy
IS present in large numbers at the rival
political meeting
America is undoubtedly a paradise
for political speakers. oratory is moro
appreciated, and more patiently listened
10 than in England Moreover, an
American political crowd is as a rule
more good tempered and less belHcose
than the surging masses that gather on
polling days IN this country.
Woman Votes by Mistake.
a sensation has been created here by
the fact that a lady voted at the polls
recently at East Marylebone.
Fraulein AlWyn Bussey is a teacher of
music in that division of London. Eight
years ago she came from Germany and
took studio at Welbeck House ard
paid rent. Her name was placed on the
register, presumably by some mistake,
as a Bussey. and she consequently took
the opportunity to assert her right.
At the door OF the polling station the
police tried to stop her. but when she
showed her voting paper she was passed
on, as It would have been Illegal 10 pre-
vent her recording her vote,
The authorities desired her TO wait un-
I'll they could consult their law books,
but She said she was a busy woman,
and was at last allowed to put her pa
per in the ballot box. And so one wom-
an-and that fOreigner-has in this in-
stance broken the iron gates that bar
woman's way to the poll.
Signs are not wanting, however, that
woman is becoming a power TO reckon
with in general elections. The girl ora
tor. Miss Dorothy Hunter, was greatly
sought for by Liberal candidates every
where. Young and slight, with the ap-
pearance of a school girl, she stood on
the platform pouring forth figures and
facts which demolished the arguments OF
men who have held cabinet rank.
Famed as Haekler.
But Il was as a hacker that Miss
Hunter first mada her reputation She
put a series OF pertinent questions 20
Mr.. Brodrick. one Of the late Conserva-
tive ministers. on free trade. and dis
played such mastery OF her subject that
there was no possibility of the unhappy
victims wriggling out OF her relentless
little hands, and he had a most uncom,
Portable quarter of an hour, under one
of the most skillful cross-examiners
whom he Will ever have to encounter.
Miss Dorothy Hunter is the daughter
or Sir ROBERT hunter VINO was appoint
ed solicitor general of the postofflce In
ISS2.
Many women, however, are making
their mark. Mrs. Herbert Gladstone has
Loyalty helped her husbands election.
which has now been splendidly victori-
Gus. and Lady Edmund Talbot, whose
husband IS Conservative, has been car
ewing on his entire campaign. owing TO
Lord Edmund's illness, canvassine,
speaking. and enlisting specially the in
&C est and sympathy of the wives OF the
voters
Lady Warwick is throwing her weight
ard her energy into the scales for the
Socialist and Labor candidates. and
while there is no woman who lives in a
more luxurious way herself or who has
a keener appreciation OF the goods OF
this world. she stands on the platform
as a red hot Socialist, who advocates
e~ual rights for all and the redistribu-
ton of wealth.
Labor Party Is Crux.
Lord Randolph ChurchIlIs prophecy,
which was made in 1885. has been amply