Of the
members who recorded their vote for the first time on the question in
the division on Sir Albert Rollit's Bill of 1892, there remain 24
opponents and 30 supporters. Of those whose first votes date from the
division on Mr. Faithfull Begg's Bill in 1897, there remain 51
opponents and 114 supporters.

Thus the ratio of supporters gradually strengthens, and this
notwithstanding the retirement of twice as many tried friends as of
steady opponents. If to these considerations it is added that amongst
the newly-elected members, for each one who is understood to be an
opponent there are at least three understood to be friendly, it will
be seen that the march of time strengthens the ranks of the Women's
Suffrage cause in the House of Commons.

Amongst the supporters who have retired from Parliamentary life are
three past leaders of the Women's Suffrage Bill, Mr. Leonard Courtney,
Mr. Woodall and Mr. Faithfull Begg. Two past leaders now have seats in
the Cabinet, Lord Selborne and Mr. George Wyndham. The Premier, Lord
Salisbury, has been at all times a true friend; the leader of the
House of Commons, the Right Hon. A. J. Balfour, has voted and spoken
in favor of the question in that body.

Mention has been made of the death of Miss Becker and of Miss Biggs.
Miss Isabella M. S. Tod of Belfast, who passed away on December 8th,
1896, was a bright and leading spirit, in Ireland especially. In
November, 1899, the Edinburgh Committee lost their much-loved Hon.
Secretary, Miss Eliza Wigham, who had held that office for more than
thirty years. In the same month Mr. Jacob Bright, who secured the
Municipal Franchise for women, also passed away.

In Ireland the Local Government Act of 1898 gave fresh impetus to
women's public work, and Mrs. Haslam, the veteran Hon. Secretary of
the Dublin Women's Suffrage Society, for the past twenty-six years,
still encourages the rising workers of today.

The North of England Women's Suffrage Society has just sent a petition
with over 29,000 signatures entirely from women working in Lancashire
cotton factories. The petition, which looked like a garden roller from
its size, was brought up by a deputation of fifteen of the women, and
by them placed in the hands of their Parliamentary friends for
presentation.

In London the branches have amalgamated into one Central
Society--President, Lady Frances Balfour; Chairman, Mrs. Millicent
Garrett Fawcett--and life and effort are apparent in every
di