Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-03-08
House of Commons Was Crowded
When Debate on Reading OF
Dickenson'S Bill Began.
EXCLUDE ILL BEHAVED WOMEN
Those Who Were Admitted Had
To Have Their Good Conduct
Guaranteed by Members.
Forces Inside and Outside Parliament
building DoubIed--irenier faS-
orablc to Principle.

1ondon March S.--ThS womens en-
francbise,nert bill, which came up for
its second reading IN the house tooaN
md which was introduced by ME
nic,ciyson, Liberal although practically
identical with the measure Introduced
Nv James Seir Hardle. Socialist, last
wear has evoked far greater general
interest. The bill simply provides that
women shall have the franchise upon
the same terms upon which IT is now
granted TO men.
The house of commons was crowded
when the debate upon the proposed
measure began. but only women whose
good behavior was guaranteed by mem
beers Of parliament were permitted 10
enter the gallery. All those Who We're
connected with the recent disorders
within the precincts OF the house OF
parliament We're specifically excluded
and in view of possible disorderly DEM
constructions on the part OF so-caled
Hs1iffragettes, In connection with the
bill, extraordinary precautions We're
telroa ~ The no''ea 'o bar the approaches
to he house OF commons.
The .or.es lus4uv lad outside the
building We're doubled and a special de-
tachment OF police was held in reserve
IN the neighborhood In spite Of the fact
that the militant women had announced
that they would quietly await the vote
in the house. after which they would
meet and decide on their future action
The suffrage societies were very ac-
tive throughout the morning, trying
10 secure the attendance of all true
supporters of the bill, and they claim
ed TO have 430 members pledged 10
vote for it. All members who were
considered TO be in the least lukewarI1
in the matter are adm onished by tele-
phone or telegraph this morning that
their seats would be endangered II
they failed to fulfill their pledges II
SIS admitted chat many promises 10
support the bill We're given by 1iber-
ais upon the supposltion that the wo-
men. If enfranshised. would vote for
liberal candidates, but the return OF
the largo Conservative majority al the
municipal elections ip London Satur-
oay last, at which the women voted,
tended to iispsl this Illusion, and since
then many members of parliament
who nominaIly synpathize With MIR,
Dickins sons bin have been stricken
with mysterious Illness and which Will
not permit them to attend today's SEES
sion of the house.
There were no fewer than Is mo-
tions hostile 10 the bill placed upon
the table. while just prior TO the open
ing Of the debate Setitlon signed oy
II 900 women was presented protest
ing against granting parliamentary
suffrage to women on the ground that
it would destroy their influence III
their own sphere of work
After Mr.. Dickinson's opening
speech In support of the bill. the pre-
inier. Sir Henry Campbell Bannernan,
announced that 1t was the Intention
at the government to leave the quea-
ton to the free decision of the house.
Personally. he favored the general
principle Of the inclusion of women in
the suffrage The matter had assumed
more Importance of late years OWING
TO the larger part which women had
taken IN the wage earnings and In tho
professions, on mary questions, con
iInued the premier. the opinion Of wo-
men was Of equal IT not greater value
than that OF mem He frankly stated
that lac was not enamored with the
present bill because II would not en-
franchise TO the necessary degree the
mass of the working women He
would vote Tor tho bill. however. as u
declaration Of his opinion that the
exclusion of women from the franchise
was not cXpedient, iustifiable or pb-
litcally right.
The debate was u repetition OF the
Camlliar arguments for and against
female suffrage and there was a conf
plete divergence from the usual party
lines, the rejection OF the bill being
moved by Mr.. White, Liberal An at
icnpt WAS made to closure the discus
sion but the speaker declined 10 &C.
ccpt the motion and the opponents of
the bin held the floor until O'Clock
when the sitting WAS closed automatic
ally, They thus won the day as this
practically kills the bill for the present
session.