New-York tribune., 1909-11-14
WOMEN IN POLITICS
SaGrGgefte Pagdries ~ The
DiTOrce Com mission.
London. Novembcr :.

London. November =.
When viii the foliics cf the sufira-
ccttos end" When there are votes for
women" is ile ,.NHliani reply OF The
rsnlpant Anuzons. who ;-re viuiating all
Tie dccencics OF public life IN theiS
struggle - advertise their cause and To
obtain the rights of tho stronger sex.
What guarantee can there bc ;hat the
cbroxicus eNpcdicnts which have caused
50 much disgust and indignation and
aieusted s4rnnsths viii not continue IL
suffrage be- granted To them? Domoral-
izing habits of work AMI agitation VIII
laVc been formed in carrying their
movement 20 a successful issue, ana
there is NOT likely 10 Ia any charge az
metlioGs after they are completely armed
with the privileges of citizenship.
That is a consideration which is now
alarming many of the original snpport
ers OF the movement. They are hot at
tIccted by the prospect of an Indefinite
I7olongation Of the campaign II street
professions raids on private houses. per-
sistcnt interruption of platforn oratory.
hyste-icai outbreaks from women brand
ishing dogwhips and glorying IN their
chains. refusals of prison martyrs to eat
their dinners and To conform TO disci-
pline. fouiing ballot boxes with corrosive
acid on alkaH and other vagaries and
CUtrages by which suffragettes have Te-
Gently shown themselves 10 be incapable
of self-goNernnenI Politics viii indeed
lCcomc intoierable IL the disorderlY
scenes and disgr1ccfuI incidents which
have marked the various stages of the
suffrage campaign are 20 accompany o.
diuaTy legislation from year To year.
PUBLIC NUISANCES.
While the suffragettes have been MAX
ing public nuisance of themselves and
tl,ir cause, they have been clsmoring
for all tic privileges of the weaker sex
whenever they have been arrested or i'm
rrisonod. They have protested against
rough treatment when they lave persist
Cd in disturbing public meetings and
compelled stewards and constables to
eject them forcibly. They lave raised
angry outcries when they have not been
allowed to starve themselves i'm prison
and when the hose has been turned upon
them in their cells They complain Of
inhuman conduct and wantcn disregard
Of the privileges Of The sex when they
are carried kicking and screaming out
IF public halls. or when they are treated
as ordinary criminals after attacking Of
fcisls Hho are standing guard over bal
lot boxes. While demanding special cN-
emptions and indnlgences because they
are women. they have conducted their
agitation with deplorable tuIpitude and
violence.
As they have become more inventive
aud irresponsible. they have ceased to
command the sympathy and respect Of
thoughtful men and women who at the
outset were disposed 10 welcome the CO.
operation Of the sexes in public life.
Tnenviahlo notoriety has been sought
with passionate fcrvor. and the conver-
sion Of tho nation 10 the principle or
equality of rights has ceased to inter
est misguided and shameless extremists.
Comedy has degcnerated into farce
There has been little evidence that the
main body cf the women of the kingdom
really waEt suffrage and arc bent upon
making 4 good use Of it.
Women VINO are doing the best work
for their sex in politics are studying
social questions and showing superior
capacity for working them out Mrs.
Sidney Webb was one Of the most useful
members of The last Poor Law Commits
sion. and wrote the singularly able
minority report. in which England WAS
shown 70 be hopelessly behind Germany
ip tho treatment of paupcrism 10y cura-
tive measures rather than 10y inepJ proc
osses of isolation. Two distinguished
women. Lady Frances Balfour and Mrs.
III. j. Tenant. who was formerly super