ABSTRACT
Since the last number of our Review appeared the debate has taken place, and the position of Women's Suffrage in the House of Commons has greatly altered. Members of Parliament who are Liberals were given to understand that Mr. Woodall's clause is regarded as dangerous to the Franchise Bill itself, and that on that ground the Government has decided to oppose it. Strenuous efforts have been made to induce Mr. Woodall to withdraw the amendment, which of course were absolutely resisted. It was plainly intimated to our supporters on the Liberal side of the House that the Government 261will not regard the question as an open one, on which members are to be free to vote acording to their convictions, but as one which the Government rejects, and that Liberals are to oppose, or at least to refrain from supporting Mr. Woodall's proposal, whatever be their own opinions upon the justice of the claim of women householders to be included in the Franchise Bill. To meet this act of arbitrary power, a memorial to Mr. Gladstone was in circulation before the House adjourned for Whitsuntide, receiving the signatures of seventy-seven Liberal Members of Parliament, including two Members of the Government, Mr. Courtney and Mr. Fawcett. The memorialists pointed out—
