CHAPTER V.

1866 TO 1869.

§ 12. Early Steps.

THE presentation of the petition on June 7th, 1866, was directly followed by a motion from Mr. Mill for a return showing the number of freeholders and householders in England and Wales who, fulfilling the conditions of property or rental prescribed by law as the qualifications for the electoral franchise, are excluded from the franchise by reason of their sex. 1 This was the signal for many comments in the Press.

"We have no right to bamboozle any one-least of all have we a right to bamboozle women-by pretending to give them a sugar-plum, and really give them a dose of physic. What does voting imply? It implies solicitation and dunning, reproaching, humbugging and cajoling. Why are respectable women, because they happen to be spinsters or widows and live in houses of their own, to be exposed to the impertinent intrusion of agents, canvassers and candidates: to be besieged alternately

1 Seconded by Mr. Potter, assented to by Mr. Secretary Walpole, and agreed to.

by the adulation of fools and by the insolence of bullies?"

Such was the cry of the hysterical Saturday Review.1 The sober Law Times,2 on the other hand, had said the burden of proof lay with those who would exclude women, and continued—“ Having given to the question much thought, with the help of much experience, we are unable to suggest a single sound objection to the claim of female householders to vote. But there are many good reasons why they should do so, apart from that foremost one, that they have all the qualifications which the law requires to constitute an elector. They pay the same rates and taxes as other electors; they are not merely eligible to serve the office of overseer, but may be compelled to serve it, and in many parishes do really serve it. But more than all, the law has actually enfranchised them for parochial voting. They are at this moment lawful members of vestries; they may and do in fact vote at all parish meetings, upon the avowed principle that paying rates as individuals, it is but just they should have a voice in the expenditure of the rate they pay."

Organization crystallized quickly after the papers read by Mrs. Bodichon at the Social Science Congress, in October 1866. The informal Committee which had worked up the petition, had, before the close of the year, been constituted a provisional Committee with the following members:-The Dean of Canterbury (Dean Alford), Miss Boucherett, Professor Cairnes, Rev. W. L. 1 Saturday Review, 21st July 1866.

2 Law Times, 16th June 1866.

Clay, Miss Emily Davies, Lady Goldsmid, George W. Hastings, James Heywood, F.R.S., Mrs. Knox (Isa Craig), Miss Manning, Mrs. Hensleigh Wedgwood; Mrs. P. A. Taylor, Treasurer; Mrs. J. W. Smith, Honorary Secretary.

In Manchester at a meeting of six persons, held in the house of Dr. Louis Borchardt on 11th January 1867, Mr. Jacob Bright in the chair, it was resolved to form a committee for the promotion of the enfranchisement of women; the other persons present were, the Rev. S. A. Steinthal, Mrs. Gloyne, Mr. Max Kyllman and Miss Wolstenholm.

At the next meeting, held at Mr. Duffield's office on 13th February, there were present Mrs. Winkworth (in the chair), Mrs. Gloyne, Mrs. Hume Rothery, Mr. and Mrs. Kyllman, Mrs. R. R. Moore, Miss Miall, Miss Wilson, Miss Becker, Miss Wolstenholm, and the Rev. S. Alfred Steinthal. Miss Becker was appointed Secretary, and energetic action began.

The London Committee had in November issued a circular giving the text of a petition to be signed by women householders, together with full particulars as to the qualifications which should entitle women to vote.

The Manchester Committee lost no time in joining in the work, and issued a circular which stated that "it was proposed during the current session to present to Parliament two petitions, one to be signed exclusively by women who are legally qualified to vote in all respects except that of sex, the other by persons of all classes, both men and women. Local petitions will also be presented from various places."

The women householder petition, with the signatures of 1605 women duly qualified as forty shilling freeholders, or £10 leaseholders, copyholders or occupiers in boroughs, was presented to the House of Commons on April 8th by the Right Hon. Russell Gurney; the Hon. H. A. Bruce had on March 28th presented the general petition signed by 3559 persons of all classes; a similar petition, with over 3000 signatures, was presented by Mr. Mill on April 5th. The signatories to these petitions included many literary and professional men and women; some of the best known amongst them will be found in the list of supporters to the movement at the close of this chapter.

The text of the petition from women householders was as follows:

"That your Petitioners fulfil the conditions of property or rental prescribed by law as the qualification of the electoral franchise and exercise in their own names the right of pertaining to such conditions.

"That the principles on which the Government of the United Kingdom is based imply the representation of all classes and interests in the State.

"That the reasons alleged for withholding the franchise from certain classes of Her Majesty's subjects do not apply to your Petitioners.

"Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray your Honourable House to grant such persons as fulfil all the conditions which entitle to a vote in the election of all Members of Parliament, excepting only that of sex, the privilege of taking part in the choice of fit persons to represent the people in your Honourable House."