Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1913-04-25
Unequal Distribution of the
Ballot Privilege Was the
Cause of the Trouble.

IA III IA many CdiS lhN Af@t
nj Gan government faced such a
4 serious situation as that created
by the great manhood suf-
frage' strike which was recently de-
clared and which, according to con-
sentative estimates, called 100000
workmen from their employment al
most instantly.
Although the strike had been an
nounced in advance and extensive
preparations had been made to offset
its influence, the trouble quickly be
came more widespread than the Off
Gals had anticipated and the result in
many districts was complete stop
ping of all industry. Suffering and
great Inconvenience followed as nat
ural consequences.
While much has been printed in this
country about the disturbances little
attention has been given to explaining
the trouble back of the great strike.
The Strike Explained.
A concise and accurate explanation
of the motive was stated as follows by
one familiar with the circumstances:
''The strike is protest against the
refusal of the Belgian government to
introduce the new franchise bill en-
bodying equal and universal suffrage.
The present Belgian house of rep
resentatives was elected on the prin-
ciple of proportionate representation.
THAT principle, in brief, is as fol
lows; Every male Belgian who is TWEEN
ty-five years old who has resided one
year in his commune and who is not
legally disqualified has one vote.
'If he is married or is a widower
with children and pays 81 year direct
taxation he receives a second vote.
Persons holding official positions, hav-
ing university degrees or owning prop
erty worth certain sum get two extra
votes. No person, however, Is permit
ted to use more than three votes.
1.-THE Socialists want the entire sys-
tenn of plural voting abolished and de
mand that every Belgian citizen. male
and female, over the age of twenty-one,
be given one vote, and one vote only"
A Socialist Movement.
The beginning of the strike was a
Socialist movement The Catholic
workmen. who have organizations of
their own. did not sanction the strike.
The Socialist leaders announced that
20 ho Ssc.f,. Of fo,1dn1 1sa'f
and that no violence need be feared.
In other words. the plan made in adj
vance was to try to paralyze all indus
try in Belgium or rs much as would
be necessary to bring about situation
of extreme gravity.
The strike began at dawn April ID,
when the night shifts quit the mines
and mills throughout the country, leav-
ing them empty save for a few care
takers told off by the Socialist party
to keep the property from deterlorat-
ing.
At least a quarter of a million men
laid down their tools. according to re-
ports given out in representative nom
Socialist quarters There were numer-
Gus exceptions to the general walkout
in many districts.
The strike was complete in places
such as the mining districts, but only
partial in the great seaport of Antwerp,
where the shipping continued loading
and unloading as though nothing had
occurred.
Reports from the provinces told of
complete or nearly complete stoppage
of work at Liege, Charleroi, Mons, La
Louviere and other smaller cities. At
Mons alone it was estimated that there
were 10000 strikers and at La Lou
Were 10000, most of them belonging
to the metal, carriage building and to-
bacco trades.
Raoul Warocque. n deputy and mine
owner, declared his intention of sub
scribing $4,000 daily to the strike
fund.
Work Stopped at Liege.
Work ceased in the greater number
of the industrial concerns at Liege and
in the surrounding suburbs of Bres-
SIOUX, Jupille. and Wandre OF $500
workmen 400 remained at their ma
chimes.
In the national arms factory at Her
stall the strike was complete.
All the coal miners at Seraing, Je-
moppe. Tilleur, Mentegnee, Female