Page:History of Woman Suffrage Volume 6.djvu/815

 WOMAN SUFFRAGE IN MANY COUNTRIES 799 address by Keeper of the Seals Sacchi, who was to introduce a Reform P.ill for women hut it was not done. After the War Italy shared in the world-wide movement toward iniproving the position of women. The long-delayed Sacchi bill was introduced. It very largely removed the civil disabilities of we mien, which were many ; abolished the authority of the husband, which was absolute ; gave women the right to control their prop- erty, enter the professions, fill public offices and have equal guard- ianship of their children. On March 25, 1919, the Senate Com- mission recommended the passing of the bill without change, which was done in July by a vote of 58 to 17. On April 23, 29, , an immense suffrage congress was held in Milan, opened by Dr. Margherita Ancona and addressed by prominent men of all parties. This was followed by others and there was a strong public demand for the enfranchisement of women. A bill was presented July 30, sponsored by sixteen prominent Deputies of all parties, to give women the vote on the same terms as men but they not to use it until after the approaching general election, as there would not be time to make new lists. This Martini bill was referred to a special committee of Signer Martini, Signer Gas- parotto and Signor Sandrini and it was due to their excellent management that it went through with such speed on September (>. It was favored by Premier Nitti, some brilliant speeches were made and it passed by 174 ayes, 55 noes. Before the great rejoicing was over, before the bill could be acted on by the Senate, the Government was defeated and the Parliament was dissolved. Italy soon, like other European countries, was threatened with ution. Ministers rose and fell : politics was in a chaotic state. This situation has continued to a considerable degree and women are still without the suffrage (1921). VCE. r many years there were detached -roups in l-'rance working for political rights for women but it was not until !<><><) that any national OfJ 'ii was made. Then in Kcl>ruary a National ("omnn of one- incinlcr from each
 * v with Mn: 'niiahl. a well-known wo-

the i lirman. The National Council of