The claims of women for the franchise have been supported by large majorities at important meetings of Socialists. The resolution of the Independent Labour Party, "That this Conference declares in favour of adult suffrage and the political equality of the sexes, and considers that the right of suffrage should immediately be extended to women on the same conditions as men," was carried by 236 votes to 24.[616] The Social-Democratic Federation resolved: "That this Conference declares that the time has arrived when equal rights of citizenship be extended to all women and men of full age; urges all members to take advantage of the present suffrage agitation to focus public opinion upon the only logical solution of the question, viz. the abolition of existing franchise qualifications and the establishment of universal adult suffrage; and calls upon them actively to work for this practical measure of reform." This resolution was carried by 42 votes to 9.[617]
The recent clamour of "Votes for Women" emanated not so much from philosophic Radicals who had read John Stuart Mill as from Socialists, and many non-Socialist women have become their dupes. Socialist women hope that they will have the voting all to themselves. Therefore they, and most men Socialists also, would very likely resist to the utmost all proposals which would make voting compulsory for _all_ women.
[568] Davidson, _The Old Order and the New_, p. 99.
[569] Thompson, _Hail Referendum_, pp. 4, 5.
[570] Thompson, _The Referendum and Initiative in Practice_, p. 4.
[571] Blatchford, _Britain for the British_, p. 152.
[572] Davidson, _The Gospel of the Poor_, p. 59.
[573] Washington, _Whose Dog art Thou?_ p. 14.
[574] Thompson, _The Only Way to Democracy_, p. 8.
[575] _The Socialist Annual_, 1907, p. 43.
[576] Neil, _Songs of the Social Revolution_, p. 21.
[578] Davidson, _The New Book of Kings_, p. 118.
[579] Hyndman, _Colonies and Dependencies_, p. 9.
[580] _The Socialist Annual_, 1907, p. 58.
[581] _The Reformers' Year Book_, 1907, p. 121.
[582] Councillor Glyde, _Britain's Disgrace_, p. 30.
[583] _Report Annual Conference of Independent Labour Party_, 1907, p. 52.
[585] Davidson, _A Democrat's Address_, p. 4.
[586] _Fabian Essays in Socialism_, p. 187.