The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-03-30
Part of English Suffragettes
Try to Get Vote by Con-
stitutional Means.
USE AMERICAN METHODS
Press and Platform Argu-
ments Adopted by Union of
Suffrage Societies.
Special Cable 70 The Tribune.

LONDON, March 29.-While the
militant suffragists, with their attacks
on property, have received the lion 3
share Of publicity since the question
OF votes for women became really live
one in England. some very effective
work has been done by those women
who, adopting tho quieter methods of
their American sisters, are endeayoring
to get tho vote by constitutional
means.
The work Of the latter, in the minds
Of many of the politicians Of the coun-
try, is far moro likely to lead to sue
cess than the more strenuous efforts OF
the militants. The argument is ad-
vanced that the militants, by their
methods, have estranged many men
supporters, and especially since their
resort tc arson and their attacks on
the parks, they have undoubtedly
aroused certain elements of the popula-
tlon to make counter demonstrations,
with the result that a suffrage meeting
is now seldom held In peace,
Talk to Students.
The women who are making the suf-
frage fight in the usual way, by at
tempting to convert their opponents by
press and platform arguments, have
banded themselves together under the
name of the National Union of Wom
ems Suffrage societies, and are carry.
ing or a campaign throughout the
meetings at the universities, in the
hope of making friends of the younger
men Of tho countryj they have had
demonstrations in most Of the large
cities, and whenever an opportunity
offered, they have taken part in bye
elections
One of these opportunities came In
the election at Houghton le- Spring.
This constituency has for years been
represented by a Liberal and the last
ma jority was so large that unless
third party intervened, tho Unionist
would have had no chance Of election.
Even though the Unionist was opposed
to them, the women decided to support
their policy has always been to "keep
the government candidate ont At
Houghton, however, they found in AL
derman House, third candidate nomi.
mated by the Labor party, man whom
they could support with heart and soul,
for not only Mr.. House but his party
is pledged to give votes for women
equally with men.
Mrs Henry Fawcett, one Of the first
women in England seriously to take up
the suffrage question, is the head OF
the nonmilitant organization, and with
her lieutenants she carried on quiet
propaganda work in the Houghton con-
stituency which, If it did no great good
this time, she hopes will help material:
ly In the future. The union has raised
a big fighting fund, and each election
will find the embers In the field to
support those who favor their cause.
IF they have not got friend among
the candidates, they will at least en-
deavor to keep out the supporter Of the
government which refuses them the
franchise.
The anti suffragists also arc by no
means idle. and their campaign, which
has the aid Of such men as Lords Cur
zon and Cromer and great many men
and women of ability and influence,
goes steadily along.
In the meantime the matter Of most
immediate necessity is to find some
means Of dealing with the law-break-
ing militants. They are usually caught,
convicted and sent to Jail. but as they
Immediately start the hunger strike and
are released, the campaign of destruc.
tion Ia not restrained. The press and
public blame Reginald McKeuna, the
home secretary, who should, they say,
served, Thousands Of letters have been
written TO the authorities, making sug
pestions Of how the militants should be
dealt with, The most popular one has
been that II the women would not take
food, they should be allowed to starve
TO denth-
The rctort Of the women to this sug-
gestion invariably has been "brute"
or something worse. It is no secret that
Mr. McKenns and the other members
of the cabinet are seriously nonplusscd,
They know that tho English conscience
would be outraged should a woman die
of starvation in an English prison, and
that the people in return, would, in all
probability. demand the life Of the gov
eminent, which they would hold re-
sponsible for such nm outcome. Mr.. Nc.
Kenna. It is announced, will, during the
present session of parliament, introduce
a measure to enable the police and
prison authorities to deal more effect.
iyelv with the women prisoners.