Page:History of Woman Suffrage Volume 6.djvu/791

WOMAN SUFFRAGE IN MANY COUNTRIES 775 The association is still doing a vast amount of work in the interest of women and children. There was never an active working membership in the association of more than 2,500 Imt whenever petitions were needed for an advanced step the signatures poured in by the thousands and the Executive Com- mittee was always assured of a large support. In 1899 tne names signed to a petition for equal suffrage numbered 12,000. As the grant of universal suffrage to men had been made only the preceding year it was too much to expect it for women at once but through the assistance of Liberals and Radicals with the help of many Conservative members, and the efforts of women themselves, the Municipal suffrage was given by the Par- liament in May, 1901, to the following: All who pay taxes to State or Municipality on an income of 400 kroner in the towns and 300 (about $71) in the country districts, or have complete or partial joint property with a husband who pays such tax. The amount was so small that a considerable proportion received this vote. It carried eligibility to the municipal councils and this year 98 women were elected and 160 "substitutes." The National Executive Committee conducted an active campaign of literature and lectures to rouse the women to exercise their new privilege, and it continued to ask for the full suffrage. In 1905 the momentous question arose of separation from Sweden. The women made every effort to be permitted to vote in the refer- endum but in vain. The National Suffrage Association then undertook the task of obtaining the personal signatures of women t" a petition in favor of separation and on August 22 the utive Committee presented it with an address to the presi- dent of the Storthing with the statement that it was signed by ooo women, a very large proportion of the adults. All the members arose in tribute to the women. a result of this action by the National Association its peti tion in 1906 was received with much sympathy. During the summer before the next Storthing was to be elected the Exeni Committee carried on a most strenuous campaign. The dent and other members went to the political meetings of all parties to secure endorsement. They called attention to the grant- ing of universal suffrage to women by the Parliament of Finland