The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. MONDAY, JUNE 28, 1880.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3589, 28 June 1880, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. MONDAY, JUNE 28, 1880.

It has long been considered unfair to female owners of freehold property, to withhold from them the right of voting enjoyed by the sterner sex. A great deal hasbeeu said and .written, on the subject, and the pros and cons of the question have often been discussed. There is no doubt that a woman of good common,, sense would be a well qualified elector, because she would exercise as much discretion in the choice of a representative as her lord and master. Unfortunately, however, there has been an objection raised on the grounds that the vanity of women would preclude them giving their votes forja sensible man, as a graceful moustache or winsome countenance carries great weight with the females, and those appendages, no matter how desirable, often give the lie to the principles and knowledge possessed by the candidate. The"c are many women who would forget the importance of the subject, and would be led to vote, for a good-looking man, with scant ability, in preference to a thoroughly able man with unprepossessing appearance. Again, the • domestic duties of woman prevent her making herself acquainted with even the most important items of Parliamentary business. Dr Wallis has taken up the cudgels on behalf of women, and has introduced the " Women's Franchise Act 1880," which if passed will give every woman of the age of 21, having a freehold estate of the value of £25, the right to vote, provided she has been seized for six months prior to the registration of her vote. The Act is a short one of 3 clauses. The third provides that '" No woman, although registered aa au elector under this Acj shall bo qualified to be elected a member of the House of Representatives for any electoral district." There are several arguments for and against this clause. Some women would be a valuable addition to the House, and would have an , elevating influence over members, and the undesirable scenes occasionally witnessed in the House would not be of so frequent occurrence. But unfortunately there are not enough of this class, and the majority of female representatives would not be sufficiently staid (o endure the long hours of debate. The 3rd clause of the Act precludes women from taking a scat in the House, but if allowed to vote can they be prevented from doing so? We should think it would be better to give full power to women, or leave the matter as it stands. If women are qualified to vote, and are permitted to do so, a seat in the House will inevitably follow—all hough probably not for some time. But'by .getting the thiu end of the wedge in, and breaking the ico it will not bo a difliol t matter to

o"ow it up, cud secure the right of women to sit in the House of Eepresenta-