New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-09
WOMAN SUFFRAGE DEAD
COMMONS DEFEAT BILL.
No Vote Taken-Meeting Decides
to Continue Agitation.

London, March S.-The bill to extend the right
Of suffrage to women was defeated in the House
of Commons to-day where 1t was talked to
death without coming to vote. The supporters
of the bill made a determined attempt TO get
vote. but the Speaker declined 70 accept mo-
ton Of closure. and the sitting OF the House was
closed automatically at 3 o'clock this afternoon.
The bill is thus killed for the present session
The result was not surprising. even TO the
sunragsts themselves. as some OF the strongest
sympathizers Of the women's cause realized that
the question was not ripe for legislation ana
that Parliament was not in position 20 deal
with the question until IL became definite is
sue at a general election. The female suf-
fragists, however were not daunted. and to-
night they held enthusiastic meeting at Exc
ter Hail. Resolutions condemning the attitude
of the government and Of Parliament, and ex-
pressing the determination to carry on the asi-
tation were adopted. The speakers at tonight
meeting included James Keir Hardie Socialist
member Of the House of Commons. Philip SNOW
don. Member of Parliament. a new recruit to
the women's cause; the Rev. Charles f. Aked'
who was pastor Of Pembroke Chapel Liverpool
and has accepted the call to the pastorate OF the
Fifth Avenue Baptist Church, New York; Israel
Zangwi the prominent Zionist, and many OF
the prominent suffragists. The Rev. DR.. Aked
had attended the session Of the House IN the
afternoon in behalf Of the suffragists In order
that he might be able to communicate to to-
nights meeting an account OF the debate on the
bill.
The House of Commons was crowded when
the debate on the bill began. but only women
whose good behavior was guaranteed by Mem
bers of Parliament were permitted 70 enter the
gallery. All those who were connected with
the recent disorders within the precincts of the
houses of Parliament were specifically excluded,
and in view of possible disorderly demonstra-
tons on the part Of the suffragettes" extraor-
binary precautions were taken by the police 70
bar the approaches 20 the House OF Commons
| The forces inside and outside the building were
doubled and special detachment 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 Of the
! House
! EFFECT OF LONDON ELECTION.
The suffrage societies were active throughout
the morning. trying 10 insure the attendance Of
all the supposed supporters OF the BILL and they
said that 4S0 members were pledged 20 vote for
| IT, All members who were considered 20 be in
! the least ukewarm in the matter were admon-
| ished by telephone telegraph this morning
| that their seats would be endangered II they
failed 10 fulfil their pledges. 1t is admitted that
many promises TO support the bill were given
| by Liberals on the suppositlon that the women
! If enfranchised would vote for Liberal candi-
dates but tho return OF the large Conservative
| majority at the municipal elections in London
! on Saturday last, in which the women voted.
tended 10 dispel this opinion. and since then
many members who nominally sympathtSed with
| Mr. Dicknsons bill have been stricken with
/ mysterious illnesses which would not permit
| them to attend to-day's session. There We're
no fewer than sixteen motions hostile 10 the bill
placed on the table. while Just prior TO the open
| ing OF the debate a petition signed by $4,000
women presented protesting against grant
| ground that ii would destroy their influence In
| their sphere OF work.
PREAIIER's SPEECH FOR BILL.
After Mr. Dicklnson's opening speech in sup
port Of the bill tho Premier. Sir Henry Camp
tention Of the government TO leave the question
10 the FREQ 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 wage
| earning and in tho professions On many ques-
TONS continued the Premier, the opinion OF
| women was equal 10 II not greater than that OF
men He frankly said that he was not greatly
pleased with the present bill. because II would
OF the working class women and workmen
wives. He would vote for the bill, however. as
a declaration OF his opinion that the exclusion
OF women from the franchise was not eXpeolent'
jusifable or politically right.
Tho debate was a repetition OF the familiar
arguments for and against female suffrage, and
there was complete divergence from the usual
party lines the rejection of the bill being moVe9
by Mr. Whitehead. Liberal. another opponent
| being Mr.. Cramer also Liberal, while both
Conservatives and members OF the Labor party
were found among It's supporters.