Women Voters in Norway.

White Ribbon, Volume 7, Issue 84, 1 May 1902, Page 4

Women Voters in Norway.

The women are using their votes to some purpose in Norway. The recent election, at which for the first time there were several women elected members of Parliament, was an extraordinary one, not only on account of the re being a number of women candidates, but also because it was a political fight between the two parties, the Right

and the Left, as they are called in Norway, the Right being the party of progress, and the Left the conservative party. The newspaper, Nyalende, states that “ the women were exceedingly active in working and voting for their candidates. In proportion to their respective numbers, more women voted than men, and were largely successful in electing their chosen candidates. An old anti experienced politician writes to us : 1 The election was such a serious and important one, that I shall never forget it. For the first time old and well-known married couples voted independently : old and young women went cheerily to the ballot box with their voting papers. All classes were represented, from the wives of the rich to the wives of poor workmen : even girls who had votes, went bravely to record them.’

“ For Bodo, a married couple, a Mr. and MrsOletspelund, were duly elected. In Christiania, the candidates of the Right, two ladies, won by a great majority. Miss Elsie Heyerdale polled 29,725 votes, and Miss Sofia Borchgrevick, 29,699; the candidates of the Left receiving only al>out 14,000 and 13,000 votes. A large number of women worked throughout the cam paign with great energy and endurance at this election. The great aim of the Right who were victorious, is union with Sweden, but the Left advocated the imposing of prohibitive duties as against their sister countiy. The women worked splendidly throughout Sweden for the Right. The men belonging to the Right are jubilant over the results of woman’s first participation in an election, and great hopes are entertained that in the future their participation will prove a blessing to the Scandinavian race. Looking at the manner in which women have entered on their new duties, we can only conclude that these hopes will be realised.’’ Bravo, Norway!— Woman's Sphere.