New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-07
Elected II Women to ParIia-
ment in 1913, but They Can
Accomplish Little.
CAR CHECKS ALL EFFORT
pissolves Diet Immediately
Upon Passage of Bills That
Displease Him - Dutch
Women Face Long Wait.
BY Ida Hustled Harper.


ance. Miss Annie Furuhjelm. had hast
ened home from the Budapest congress TO
conduct her canvass for Parliament Her
many friends in the United States will be
pleased 70 know that she was elected by
a large majority. Miss Furuhjelm was
hovn in Alaska, her father being next TO
the last Governor OF that country before
II was coded 10 the United States. ana
afte-ward he was Governor Of Siberia.
He was a distinguished admiral in the
Russian navy and died a few years ago
AZ the age OF eighty-seven. He belonged
20 the Swedish nobility in Finland and
his coat Of arms is one of the oldest in
the ancient house Of the Diet in Helsing-
fors. where his daughter will now have
an honored place.
A few years ago l spent several weeks
IN that city with Miss Furuhjelm and
We went TO St Petersburg together. She
is tai and elegant in figure and carries
herself Ike a grand duchess, speaks seven
languages huently and has for many
years been the leader OF women in Fin
land Although a candidate for Parlia-
ment before. she has not been elected be-
cause she belonged 70 the Swedish or
minority party. but although an aristo-
crat by birth. she Is thoroughly demo-
cratic IN her sympathies.
Elected by Votes Of Women.
letter Just received from Helsingfors
saws that Miss Furuhjelm was elected by
the votes Of women that society women
who had never before gone 10 the polls
went this year 10 cast their ballots for
her: that she received the votes OF the
women clerks. Of whom there are many.
because they said she would work for
their rights. and the domestic servants
voted for her because they thought she
was q friend Of workingwomen.
Miss Vera Hjeit, national factory in
spector, and two other women were
elected by the Swedish National party,
the first time ii has ever returned more
than one woman at an election. Two
were elected by the Young Finnish party.
one Of them. Miss Tekla Hultin. having
held for some time a high government
position in the Bureau OF Statistics; and
the Old Films elected two one OF them
a baroness. The other thirteen are Social
Democrats. The personnel Of the new
members is for the most part very high
Women received the vote and eligibility
to Parliament in 1876. and 70 were elected
in 1911. and p in 1913.
The Diet. or Parliament. is elected for
three years. but the moment a bill is
passed displeasing 10 the Car he dis
solves Il and new elections must be held.
This is only one instance Of the determi-
nation OF the Russian government to rem
der Of no avail the constitutional rights
OF Finland, which It dare not entirely take
away.
When the country entered upon a new
era. after the great silent strike OF 1905,
with a reorganized Parliament, whose
first act was TO enfranchise all women, Il
had high hopes Of a peaceful and pros
porous future. The acts of the Parlia-
ment had 10 be signed by the Car before
they became effective. and there was no
intention OF revolutionary legislation, but
In a short time the edict was pronounced
that every act must first have the ap-
prevail OF the Russian Ministry before II
was presented TO the Car.
allied when It is known that not more
than two or thrse laws during the last
six years have LeSn allowed 20 reach the
Gar. and the Finnish members Of the
government at 81. Petersburg who have
protested have been sent 10 prison.
Women's Efforts Checked.
II is not the province Of this article to
depict the sufferings Of this proud country
with the unbeatable spirit. but only to
show why the participation Of it's women
in the making Of ;ts laws from which so
much was anticipated has been so barren
Of practical results A resume. however. OF
the laws that have been passed by the
Diet through the efforts OF it's women
members and OF the bills that have been
presented by them will clearly indicate
what may be expected Of women in the
way Of legislation.
Laws have been enacted for raising the
age Of consent; improving the legal
position OF children born out Of wedlock;
mitigating the punishment for infanticide
Committed by an unmarried mother at
the time Of the birth; protecting minors
from Indecent assault; securing a state
grant OF 5000 marks for helping prosti-
tutes 10 reform; raising the age for mar
rage from fifteen 10 seventeen; legal pro-
lection for children who are victims OF
cruelty. neglect or overwork; motnerhoou
Insurance: appointment OF women SAM
tary inspectors; the right Of women TO
practise law; more severe punishment TOT
cruelty TO animals a state grant OF loV'"V
marks for the feeding OF poor chiioren
IN the public schools. a state grant OF
1880 marks for free kindergartens' reg
isiration Offices for working men ana
women Gncluding domestic servants TO
be maintained by the municipality;
state grant Of 10000 marks for schools
OF domestic economy: a state grant OF
DoVo marks for anti-tuberculosis WORK
state grant OF 600 marks for estao-
hshing Libraries in various parts or the
country II may be stated here that
ilhteracy is almost unknown In Finland
Bills Blocked by Gar.
Among the bills presented by women
members OF Parliament whose final con-
sheraton has been prevented by It's dis
solution NAV be mentioned those for es-
tablishing homes for unmarried mothers
and their children. increased punishment
for rape. stronger measures against pros
titution. making the marriage relation
with an insane husband or wife a crime,
establishment Of colonies for young crimi-
mails. for those sentenced for minor crimes