Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-03-15
Mrs. Hlmphry Ward
Opposes Suffrage


Paris, March i4-Mrs. IIumphry
Ward has written NJ. Ferdinand Buis-
sen, the leader in the chamber of
deputies Of the group working ae-
lively for wonien's suffrage, IN Oppo-
sition to giving women parliamentary
suffrage in either England or France.
While a strong supporter of the
municipal vote for women, she de-
clarcs that parliamentary suffrage lis
deprived Of It's ultimate meaning If it
has not the physical force Of men be-
hind it, and IL should therefore be
confined TO men only.
"To my mind.7 she says. there are
at least two insuperable objections to
giving the parliamentary franchise to
women in England"
First it would disturb the rela-
tion of the physical force of the coun-
try In its political force; and IN these
days when reform and legislation can
be brought about by many other
agencies acting upon parliament, the
vote acting as an instrument OF gov
ornment is, Ia my eyes, very much
more important than as an instru-
ment Of reform. The women's vote in
such a country as England, would be
like paper currency with no gold
reserve behind IT, Considering the
tremendous questions, in which great
bodies Of men are ranged on either
side. that have already arisen or are
steadily developing with the develop
ment Of democracy, it seems to me
more important than ever that the
political vote should indicate whore
the physical force of the country lies
although, of course, the effort of
every good citizen VIII bring the
forces of reason and justice to bear
upon that vote 3ut in the last re-
sort the ballot box Is and must be our
defense against disturbance and civil
war; and If that defense is weakened
by the participation Of women in the
government vote, the country is
weakened. end tho women would be
the first to suffer
Second, in my belief insuperable
objection so far as England Is con-
cerned is the large prepOnderance of
women over men in England. We
have, as you know, a preponderance
of l,25O,000 women and this inn
mensely complexities and strengthens
the physical force argument.
THE argument as to the relative
political ignorance Of women-ignor-
aacc dependent ON their maternal
functions and in a way discreditahle
to them-upon tho larger and more
external issues ON which the nations
very existence may turn, also weighs
with me very much. 1t would be
specially dangerous, | think, not So
much in dealing with measures as in
dealing with men, that is the sclec-
ton of O male government to carry
out q policy which can only be ap-
prcciated or executed by men,
adult suffrage or something near
| il is sure TO come in England and if
women were included under our con-
istitutional system the votes Of q few
districts in which the womens vote
lpredominated might in a time of crisis
hand over the government to a ma
iorlty which only represented q min
GRITTY Of the male population, lt
would be easy 90 name such dis
tricts
None Of these objections apply 10
/ the local government vote which de-
Ipends on delegated powers and ap-
plies to social and domestic affairs
! II is on this side that I personally
hope that the solution of the S.
lduestion will ultimately be found
You have observed that the ulslei
question Is forcing English opinion IL
the direction Of federalism