The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-23
A FRENCH VIEW
OF WOMAN SUFFRAGE

The feminist movement has adherents
in countries The world over for various
reasons. 1t is interesting to learn the
views and the desires governing adherents
to the equal suffrage movement in coun-
tries variously governed. A Paris letter to
a London paper which staunchly favors
equal suffrage quotes Nine. Marguerite
Durand aproprietor and editor of the
Nouvelles who stood at the last general
election as a candidate for Paris cir
transcription. She is generally considered
ore of the most brilliant and charming
types of the modern Frenchwoman. and
these notes from conversation with her
will doubtless be read with interest by the
large number who are anxious to inform
themselves as to the ultimate wishes of
the leading feminists of the world and
the reasons they have for certain steIs.
''1t is true that was candidate for
Paris borough at the late elections.
though l did not intend to stand. ! spoke
at meeting m favor of giving women
votes for the municipal elections, and was
so encouraged by the result that
friends and those ef the movement induced
me to hold one or two more meetings, and
finally to allow myself to be nominated.
Though the votes cast for me We're nos
officially recognized by the tellers, who
simply threw them away as blanks.l be-
lieve | received more than 2o90. Several
other women stood. but we all did SO
more with tire idea OF being able to adj
dress the electors and ventilate our opif-
ions than with any thought of contestln5
the seats
''The situation is somewhat different IN
France from what it is in England. Toe
question before your parliament is not 20
admit women TO rights formerly enJoye'l
by men in voting, but at once to give real
universal suffrage to men ana to auu
women to the increased suffrage. WHIST
increasing the number of men voters.
parliament is asked to double the future
enormously swelled total by giving to
women the full vote.s At least this Is no"
| understand the claim of the women
IN France We certainly hope some day
TO attain to universal female suffrage, but
we understand that up to the present we
cannot reasonably ask for this :,
ut is a question of regime. Almost al
French women of my age have been
brought up in converts or religious
schools. and may be supposed to have re-
dictionary or clerical tendencies. 1t needs
no demonstration that republican gov
erlment would hesitate before giving us
all equal electoral rights with men. TINS
danger. however, is gradually diminishing Z
with every now year, and the young gen
Grafton are no longer objects of pollticai
doubt and suspicion,
posed to us are certain working classes
and. unfortunately. the. teaching class
The laboring class is extremely jealous
and does all II can to exclude female conf
petition. insisting on excluding Worep
altogether from many kinds Of work, rnd
only allowing them to be employed at 4
much lower wage for doing precisely the
same task This Is supremely unjust, but
the tyranny Of the syndicates is sucn
that hitherto they have generally suc-
cceded The school teachers, who ought
to know better are the most determined
adversaries of women colleagues being
naid equal salaries, and they are always
able to secure the support of the treas
ury which protests that it has not money
to raise the salaries of women teachers.
AT present the competition of women is
insignificant in teaching and. in the nigh
er professions. where women are at pres
ent comparatively welcome. But When
the proportion of women lawyers, doc