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Why shouldn't Women Vote.
It has been said by some nmembers of
the legislative -oulncil that the women of
Victoria don't want the franchise. ' We
may well ask--What class of women don't
want the franchise? In what sphere of
usefulness are their labors ecercised? Where
do their Food works shine forth, lessening
human nuiary and vice? "Can anyone point
out the good work done by the women, who
profess not to want the franchise, in alleviat.
Lsg the sufferings of their fellow creatures?
The persons who want the vote are the
industrious women who, unaided; have to
earn their own living, or who materially
assist their husbands in their business. And
those who do not want it are the favorites
of fortune, whose living is provided for
themi and whose only object As Incs is the
gratification of their own pleasures with the
greatest case and comfort. There never was
a claim put forward by any body of people
for any !olitical right which can better
stand on tes oserita than the claim of the
women of Victoria for the elector's fran.
chiso. Titers are over a hundred thousand
women in Victoria-widows, maidens, wives
of worthless husbands-who are compelled
to work for a living. Tlie good order of
society and the prosperity -of thle country
are of as much--if not of more-i-isport
anon to them than to mnon. They have to
pay their fair share of the taxes of the
colony. And one of the great principles of
the English constitution is that- there
should be no taaotion without tepresenta.
tion. These women are hampered by bad
laws and assisted by good onese.qually with
the men. They are subject to the pains
and penalties of the law equally wLth theto.
Thu conditions of labor, the rearing of the
goung, the taintenlance of the old and.hells.
l +s, the peace of the streets, and the happs.
ness of the homes are certainly of as suuch
coltcerrt to womlen as to men. They stiffer
by depression; they reat the advantages of
p'roperity equally with men. Their person,
ticir property, and their pro.perity are all
uiiccteud by the hlis of their country equally
%ith lcn. Th'ley :hould therefore have an
tiasl oitce in l, Clift?. p r'?i)oi o u tid,e
thu.e L, t ,.- "A , l tul Cutlt i;t"
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