Open Writing

Charlotte did indeed produce 10 identical petitions. Friends of the girls had joined the cause and would also help to collect signatures on the petitions. They had been told by Muriel to approach neighbours, servants, shopkeepers and other women, asking them to sign.

The petition read: To the Mayor of Worcester and Aldermen and Councilors -

This humble petition from the women of Worcester allows that:

Men, including agricultural and other labourers are now enfranchised by the Government and many of these are within the least educated section of the Community. However they now have the right to vote in Parliamentary elections. There are millions of educated and intelligent women, who are heads of households who are excluded from this right although they contribute equally with men to the taxation of the Country. Among the persons so excluded are women landowners, who form one seventh of the land proprietors of the country; women of means and position living on their own property, schoolmistresses and other teachers, women farmers, merchants manufacturers and shopkeepers besides large number of self-supporting women engaged in other occupations.

We the undersigned believe that the claim of these householders for admission within the pale of the Constitution is as reasonable as that the injustice of excluding women householders from representation was greatly intensified by the new service franchise, under which the servants of a lady, living in houses for which she paid rent and taxes, would have the vote in right of the occupation of those houses while she herself though the head of the household has no vote.

Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray you will use what pressure you have in your political arena to make representation to the Government to bring forward the exercise of the franchise by duly qualified women.

Muriel, after checking it, was somewhat concerned. “Charlotte, it is a wonderful piece of work, but I think first of all, it should go not only to the local government representatives, but also to our MP and perhaps to the neighbouring MPs as well. And I think you should not say we are wanting the voting rights for educated wealthy women. We really are hoping that all women will have the right to vote, servants as well as ladies.''

"Sorry, Muriel,'' said Charlotte. "I copied the words as closely as I could from the original document. I see what you mean and I will do the petition again.''

"Perhaps if we made the alterations now and all agreed on them,'' said Muriel. "Then you could make the copies.''

So after discussion among the girls the document was amended to read that all women, regardless of their position in society, should have the right to vote. It was further decided that it should be sent to MPs with constituencies in Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire. Charlotte asked for help in rewriting the petitions, saying they should be ready within a week.

All agreed to a suggestion by Margaret that they should go knocking on doors to ask if anyone within each household wished to sign.

Charlotte had made the purple and green sashes which they would wear to announce that they were members of the WSPU. The girls tried them on and were pleased with them.

And so the meeting ended.

*

Muriel had kept her parents in the dark about her activities. She wasn’t sure they would approve and wanted to ensure that things were progressing before telling them of her intention to organise a march on the Guildhall, along with a rally to be addressed by some well known person sympathetic to the cause of votes for women.

A week later the girls met again. This time the petitions were deemed to be suitable. Each girl pledged her determination to get 100 signatures.

Muriel, having signed her own name at the head of her petition document, took it to the servants who worked in her home. Amy Brewer said she didn’t suppose it would do any good, but she signed it. Emily Smith said she didn’t want to lose her job, and she refused to sign unless Mr. King said it was appropriate for her to do so and that she would not lose her job.

This reaction prompted Muriel into presenting her plans to her parents before she tried to gather any more signatures. That evening, after dinner, she said, “Mother, Father, I want to attempt to do my part to forward the cause of women’s suffrage. I have joined the WPSU and so have four of my friends. We intended to get hundreds of signatures on petitition forms and present them both to the local and national politicians in our area.''

Mrs. King looked most put out. “Muriel, have you not got better things to do with your time? I would have thought with your charity work and your lessons in art you had enough to keep you busy. Why don't you learn to play the piano if you have time on your hands?''

Mr. King carefully read the petition. Then he said “I can see where you got your material from, and I think that the arguments are well presented. I can see no harm in you asking your friends and colleagues to sign this. Not that I expect it will have much effect, but I don’t see how it could harm the situation. If you feel so strongly about it, I will, of course, support your efforts.”

“Oh thank you, Father,” said Muriel. "Can I tell Emily that she won't lose her job if she signs it.''

"Have you been getting at the servants with your idea?” said Mrs. King huffily. “Leave them alone. I don’t want them refusing to work and going on strike because you have put ideas of equality into their heads.''

“No, of course I won’t get rid of Emily or Amy,'' said her father with a smile. "But I get the impression that you will not be able to persuade your mother to sign this.''

"You can be sure I won't,'' said Mrs King.

Muriel kissed her father on the cheek and thanked him. "Don't worry mother,'' she said. "I won't badger you to sign it. Though I hope that if we do get the vote you will be willing to use yours.''

"I don’t expect that I will live that long,” said Mrs King.

Muriel went to tell Emily what her father had said, and she immediately agreed to sign the petition.

Next day Muriel and May, who had agreed to participate in the project provided no-one told John that she was doing so, went from house to house in the area where they lived. May's mother had refused to sign but had allowed her servant Elizabeth Wilcox to do so. May went in one direction and Muriel in another. They had agreed to meet up at lunchtime to compare notes, then decide where to go next.

When they did meet up they confessed that they were both bitterly disappoint with the results. Many householders had been very unwelcoming. Between them the girls had only collected 15 signatures. Not one of the servants they had spoken to had admitted to being unable to read. Undaunted, they continued their efforts in the afternoon, but by the end of that day only 30 signatures had been collected.

When they all met the other girls the other girls reported that they had been less succesful than had been hoped. Targets had not been reached. There was a general feeling of disappoint, and perhaps of boredom. Muriel tried to re-awaken their initial enthusiasm. "We shouldn't let a slow start deter us,'' she said. This is an important issue. If we fall at the first fence what hope is their of bringing about a change in the law? Do you suppose Emmeline Pankhurst didn’t have doors slammed in her face? She hasn't given up. There are thousands of brave women devoting time to this cause. We must keep at it until we reach our goal. Think postively!''

Some of the girls were unmoved by Muriel's urgings. They said they had had enough and walked out, leaving their petition papers behind. Charlotte took a positive approach. "Why don't we go to the Victoria Insitute while the classes are being held? I am sure the women there would give us their support. And why not ask men to sign our petition? Some of them agree that we should be able to vote. Have any of you got a single signature from a man?''

There was a chorus of "No.''

"Have you asked a man to sign?''

A further chorus of "No.''

"It won't hurt to try,'' said Charlotte. "Male signatures will strenthen our appeal for a change in the law.''

*

That evening Muriel asked her father if he would sign the petition.

He had forgotten the matter and asked to read the petition again. When he had read it he said "Yes, I will sign.''

Muriel watched in delight as he firmly appended his name, making sure that it was easier to see than any other name on he page. "You don't have to tell your mother I did this,'' he said with a wink.

Charlotte’s idea of taking petitions to the Victoria Institute proved to be inspired. Many signatures were collected there, and the forms were soon filled. Other men signed, besides Mr King. Mr Tree, who was equally proud of what his daughters were doing, added his name. His wife and sister also added their signatures, as did their two servants.

When the girls met at Charlotte's house in mid-April they were feeling confident, and even more assured of the rightness of their cause.

"Now we should decide on a day and time to take the petition forms to the Guildhall,'' aid Muriel. "The main meetings take place on a Thursday. I think we should aim to be there at noon on a Thursday.''

"Why don't we make posters and put them up around the town inviting people to attend a rally,'' Charlotte suggested.

“How about May 6th for the rally. That gives us a couple of weeks to make and display the posters,'' said Muriel.

“That sounds fine,” said Charlotte. "The posters could invite people to attend a rally in support of Votes for Women at 12 noon at the Guildhall on May 6th.''

That day the girls went to their respective homes filled with new enthusiasm.