ut who will tell me they would not
have gained them sooner, with less heart-breaking labor, if they
had had the political franchise?

Mr. Courtney also addressed the House in stirring words. The result
was most encouraging. Four years had passed since a division had
been taken, and the enormous majority against us which in so many
divisions had maintained its strength had dwindled to only 16. A
total of 164, including tellers and pairs supported the resolution
against an opposition of only 180. If the Liberal side of the House
had only been canvassed on this occasion it would have been a
victory, as 119 Liberals voted for it and paired, and only 75
against it.

With the close of the session the question was transferred to the
country, and the events of the autumn made it amply evident that
the majority of Liberals were in favor of extending the
parliamentary suffrage to women. A great conference was held in
October at Leeds, where delegates from between 500 and 600 Liberal
organizations were present. Fully 2,000 delegates were present at
the first meeting. After a long discussion upon the coming Reform
bill, the Rev. T. Crosskey, of Birmingham, proposed a rider to the
resolution which would include women's suffrage, as follows:

_Resolved_, That, in order to meet the just expectations of the
country, and to fulfill the pledges given at the last general
election, this conference is of opinion that a measure for the
extension of the franchise should confer on householders in the
counties the same electoral rights as those enjoyed by
householders in parliamentary boroughs; _and that, in the opinion
of this meeting, any measure for the extension of the suffrage
should confer the franchise upon women, who, possessing the
qualifications which entitle men to vote, have now the right of
voting in all matters of local government_.

Mr. Walter McLaren seconded Dr. Crosskey in an able speech, and
Miss Jane Cobden (daughter of the late Richard Cobden) who was
sitting on the platform, and who had been appointed delegate from
the Liberal association of Midhurst, supported the resolution. She
begged them, representing as they did the Liberal principles of all
England, to give it their hearty support. This was a continuation
of the struggle in which Liberals had taken part during the last
fifty years, and she trusted they would be true to their
principles.

Mrs. Helen