stein was indorsed by the Victorian organiza-
tion to which she belonged, and, though un-
successful, the fact that she received 51,497
votes proved that she had many sympathizers.
She did not ally herself with either of the great
political parties. Her object was avowedly to
show that home interests ought to be repre-
sented in Parliament and by women, as well
as manufacturing, mining, farming, and other
interests by persons who were engaged in
them. Next to the votes she received, the
most significant thing was the considerate and
respectful treatment she met throughout. It
showed that the political woman who respects
herself may trust for protection to the chivalry
of men.

Australian experience has conclusively dis-
posed of the objection that women have no
aptitude for politics or interest in public af-
fairs. They have proved that they possess
both, and while they have no general ambition
or desire for parliamentary honors, and dis-
play no sex antagonism, they regard their
right to vote for representatives as a respon-
sible trust. It is rendered equally clear that
they can and do exercise a salutary influence
on the political life of the country without sus-
taining in the slightest degree any of the injur—
ies or disabilities that have been supposed to
follow. They are as good wives, mothers, and
sisters as ever, and better companions for their
men folk because of their widened interest and
the truer equality in which they stand.

c:[)nlitira'1' liquality Strips.
L1

 

_\ Sub‘n Price
4 We. per year.

‘01' 1‘ '{ \VARREN, 0., MARCII, 1905.

No. (i.

 

Published monthly by the NATIONAL AMERICAN
WOMAN SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION,
Headquarters, Warren, Ohio.

EQUAL SUFFRAGE IN AUSTRALIA.

Lady Holder, the wife of Sir Frederick W.
Holder, K. C. M. (3., Speaker of the House of
Representatives of Federated Australia, c011-
tributed the following article to the N. Y.
Independent of june 9, 1904. Lady Holder
has taken a leading part in philanthropic
work in South Australia. She savs:

“The women of South Australia were
placed in a position of political equality with
men several years ago. Accordingly, every-
body has become accustomed to the arrange-
ment, and it seems perfectly natural. It has
not produced any marked effect on female
character, or made any particular difference to
domestic life. Women are more interested in
public affairs than they used to be, and politi-
cians deal more earnestly with home and social
questions, but no neglect of private duties on
that account can be laid to the women’s
charge. We are well supplied with high-class
newspapers, the same sources of information
are open to women as to men, and the ques-