Some historical and global examples of tax resistance → women’s suffrage movements → British women’s suffrage movement → Lila Pratt

The Vote

From the edition of The Vote:

A Tax-Resisting Cow.

Edith Kate Lelacheur

Kate Lelacheur

We are accustomed to the story of the ass teaching the ancients wisdom; the modern version seems to be that the cow is on the side of the tax-resisters. The story of what happened while Miss [Edith Kate] Lelacheur was attending a sale of a dog cart at Reading for the non-payment of the agricultural land tax on one of her farms might be deemed a practical joke on the part of the revenue authorities, but for the fact that the cow took the matter entirely into her own hands and flouted the bailiffs. In the absence of Miss Lelacheur, a cow was seized for non-payment of other taxes; inquiry elicited the fact that “twice the bailiffs took the cow away and got it three miles or so along the road, but that then it bolted back.” Finally they gave it up, and left Miss Lelacheur the distraining order — and the cow. We wonder whether in due time Suffragists will have reason to worship the cow — taking a different point of view from the Hindus. Meanwhile, we congratulate Miss Lelacheur on her tax resistance and on the noble support of her cow. Later: We hear that force majeure has prevailed; the cow is to be sold — to a tax-resister, we hope!

Also from the same issue:

Tax Resistance.

Under the auspices of the Tax Resistance League and the Women’s Freedom League a protest meeting was held at Great Marlow on , on the occasion of the sale of plate and jewellery belonging to Mrs. [Mary] Sargent Florence, the well-known artist, and to Miss Hayes, daughter of Admiral Hayes. Their property had been seized for the non-payment of Imperial taxes, and through the courtesy of the tax-collector every facility was afforded to the protesters to explain their action. A quiet little group — a large crowd for Marlow — listened attentively to Mrs. Florence, Mrs. [Emily] Juson Kerr, Miss [Margaret] Kineton Parkes, and Miss [Alison] Neilans. Mrs. Sargent Florence had been distrained upon more than once, and intends to continue her passive protest until women have the vote.

At the County Court, Woodbridge, Dr. Elizabeth Knight was charged with keeping a dog without a license and refusing to take out a license for her dog cart; Mrs. H[ortense]. Lane was charged also with refusing to pay the license for her trap. Dr. Knight said she believed taxation and representation should go together; and Mrs. Lane, who was unable to attend, wrote to the Bench saying she refused to pay taxes as a protest against women’s political disability. Mr. Eton White, the presiding magistrate, said his duty was to administer the law as it stood; therefore Dr. Knight was fined £2 10s. and costs, and Mrs. Lane £1 10s. and costs. A protest meeting was afterwards held on Market Hill. Mrs. [Lila] Pratt, hon. secretary of the Women’s Freedom League, Ipswich branch, presided, and an interesting crowd listened appreciatively to the speech of Mrs. [Emma] Sproson who explained the reason why women should adopt the policy of tax resistance and urged upon all women to make the position of the Government intolerable and untenable unless it conceded to women their common human right.

Silver belonging to Miss [Dorinda] Neligan, of Croydon, and Mrs. [Florence Gardiner] Hamilton, of Wendover, was sold for non-payment of taxes on , and vigorous protests made. At Wendover, in the John Hampden County, an Anti-suffragist from London made a speech.

The Vote

From the issue of The Vote:

Tax Resistance.

At Woldingham.

We learn from Miss Mary Anderson that her house has been “entered” by the authorities, and that some of her goods, among them a copy of the famous picture, “Hope,” by G.F. Watts, have been seized to pay the taxes claimed by a Government which denies representation to women. The sale will take place at Woldingham on , and will be followed by a meeting in the Public Hall. All friends are cordially invited to be present, especially those living in Croydon, Thornton Heath and South London district.

Hope by G.F. Watts

Hope by G.F. Watts

The Woodbridge “Annual.”

On Dr. [Elizabeth] Knight was summoned to appear at the Woodbridge Police-court for non-payment of her dog-tax. As it was not convenient for her to attend, Miss [Constance] Andrews went in her place again to protest against taxation without representation. She was supported by Miss Bobby and Miss Pratt. The Woodbridge Police-court compares very favourably with the London ones, and patience is not lacking in the way it was at Marlborough-street. When our case came on Miss Andrews asked to be allowed to make a statement; this was refused, but she made it all the same, and it took the form of a Suffrage tax-resistance speech. In reply to a question why Dr. Knight did not appear, it was pointed out she had professional duties to attend to, and they might take the form of certifying a man to be insane thereby depriving him of his vote, while she herself was not counted capable of exercising one. After some consultation a fine of 30s. and 14s. cost was levied; failing this, distraint and in default 7 days’ imprisonment. Whereupon the Suffragists made a further protest in court, and then held a meeting outside. Miss Andrews addressed an orderly crowd for forty minutes, one man who tried to create a disturbance being promptly ejected. The next act of this annual drama will be the sale of the wagon which has become historic in the history of tax-resistance.

At Balham.

On , Miss Helen Smith’s goods were sold for tax-resistance at Philip’s Auction Rooms, Balham. Mrs. Tanner spoke on behalf of the Freedom League, of which Miss Smith is a member. Mrs. [Leonora?] Tyson took the chair. Mrs. [Margaret] Kineton Parkes and Mrs. Teresa Gough also spoke. The crowd was very large and quite orderly. The speakers had an excellent hearing. The resolution of protest was passed with only a few dissentients.

Women’s Tax Resistance League

Our members are still protesting against the sale of their goods to pay King’s taxes. On , goods belonging to Miss [Ina] Moncrieff were sold at Harding’s Auction Rooms, near Victoria Station. Miss Hicks and Mrs. Kineton Parkes spoke at the meeting, and a neighbourhood that was once distinctly hostile has become thoroughly sympathetic.

On , Mrs. Portrey’s goods were sold at the Harrow. A garden-party was given by Mrs. Huntsman, of the Women’s Freedom League, and the procession to the auction-room started from her house, it being a joint demonstration of the Tax Resistance and Freedom Leagues. Mrs. Kineton Parkes presided, and Mrs. [Charlotte] Despard and Mr. Laurence Housman spoke at the open-air meeting to a large crowd, which was gradually won over to sympathy with the arguments of the resisters, and finally passed a resolution approving tax-resistance.

Also from the same issue:

London and Suburbs — Harrow

The Branch wishes to express its very hearty thanks to our President and Mr. Laurence Housman for the splendid speeches they made at our garden meeting on . Six new members were enrolled, and £4 8s. taken in collection. A large crowd assembled and the meeting was in every way a great success. After tea a procession was formed up to go to the protest meeting which was to be held after the sale of Mrs. Portrey’s goods for tax-resistance. Mrs. Kineton Parkes made a splendid protest in the auction-room, and an open-air meeting followed, at which Mrs. Despard, Mrs. Parkes and Mr. Housman all spoke again. The tax-resistance banners and the W.F.L. pennons marching down in procession created a great effect in Wealdstone.

Scotland — Edinburgh.

Suffrage Shop, 90, Lothian-road.

We have not yet quite arrived at the happy state of “not even being asked to pay our taxes.” About ten days ago we received once more the Sheriff Officer’s intimation that if the tax be not paid within three days our goods would be seized and sold, and now await developments, as needless to say the tax remains unpaid.…

The Vote

From the issue of The Vote:

Rally in Force!

After eight months of masterly inactivity, during which time Mrs. [Kate] Harvey’s locked gates, bolted doors, and defiant posters, “No Vote — No Tax!” have preached at Brackenhill, Bromley, their practical lesson to all passers-by of the injustice of taxation without representation suffered by women at the hands of a Liberal Government, the authorities at Bromley evidently endeavoured to give Mrs. Harvey a birthday surprise. That they were just one day too soon was a mere masculine blunder. On , after she had left Brackenhill for town, the attack on the barricades was successfully made with files and crowbars, and the “Dauntless Three,” the tax-collector, the bailiff, and a policeman found themselves in possession, representing the majesty of the law of the land, which takes women’s money without consent, and thinks that all is well. We congratulate our good friend on the long fight she has made, and especially that, in the midst of the inconveniences of barricades, she carried on her magnus opus of the organisation of the International Suffrage Fair. Members — particularly those who live in or near London — have now an opportunity of showing their gratitude to Mrs. Harvey in a way which she will deeply appreciate. Let them rally in force at Brackenhill on the day of the sale and demonstrate the strong support which is behind our brave tax-resister. It is injustice which turns women into rebels; for such earnest workers as Mrs. Harvey and Mrs. [Isabel] Tippett, who made a spirited protest at Stowmarket on , recognised by the State as citizens, are ready to render the help of which the State stands so badly in need, but is too prejudiced to make possible. We trust that Mrs. Harvey’s eight months’ protest will be the last that she will be required to make, but we know that she, with the great army of rebel women, will resist until votes for women become a reality, and, as citizens, women taxpayers have a right to call the tune for which they have long paid the piper. Information will be obtainable at Headquarters as soon as the date of the sale is fixed.

Also from the same issue:

Tax Resistance.

The Bromley Barricade Broken.

After being barricaded since , an entrance was forced into Mrs. Harvey’s home, Brackenhill, Bromley, on , by Mr. Croome, a bailiff, bearing a distress warrant, and accompanied by a tax-collector and a policeman. Mrs. Harvey had left home for town shortly before the arrival of the three men, who filed the chain on the garden gate and used a crowbar to force the back door, as the servants, acting on Mrs. Harvey’s instructions, refused to open it. Distraint was levied on the dining-room furniture. The date of the sale is not yet known, but later in the week Headquarters will be able to supply information. London members, and others in London on a visit, are urged to make a special effort to attend in force to support Mrs. Harvey in her splendid protest against taxation without representation.

Mrs. Tippett’s Protest at Stowmarket.

The Court, police, and general inhabitants of Stowmarket, on , had an exciting and vigorous incident of an unusual character. The principal case in the police court was the summons against our esteemed fellow member of the N.E.C., Mrs. Isabel Tippett, for non-payment of a dog tax. The Court was crowded with men and women, including Mrs. [Lila] Pratt, secretary of the Ipswich Branch, and Mrs. Foster, secretary of the Woolpit Group of the W.F.L. When the other cases had been disposed of, Mrs. Tippett was called. The gentlemen on the bench appeared much more nervous than the defendant, who promptly pleaded “Not guilty.”

After asking permission from the magistrates, who were too perturbed to offer any opposition save an occasional feeble interjection, Mrs. Tippett proceeded to call their attention to the delay in any action being taken, and that the whole case was grossly illegal, as women were not persons in the legal interpretation of the term. On this legal point, she called Miss Anna Munro as witness for the defence. Miss Munro cited the Scottish Graduates’ Test case, carried eventually to the House of Lords, where, with all the might of the greatest judicial court in Great Britain, it was upheld that women were not persons.

The clerk replied that sometimes women were persons and sometimes not, but in the matter of default of payment of a dog tax, magistrates and clerk unanimously decided, after due consultation, that Mrs. Tippett was a person. Mrs. Tippett then made a few further remarks, but was interrupted by the chairman, who said that women’s suffrage must not be dragged into it; whereupon Miss Munro reminded him that he had transgressed, and not the suffragettes, on this occasion. The Bench then retired to consider their verdict. The chairman, Mr. Prettyman, announced that the defendant had been found guilty, the penalty 10s. and costs. Mrs. Tippett thereupon, announced that she would not pay, and had no goods which could be distrained, and mildly suggested that they should commit her to prison in default. This plan, however, they refused to entertain, and proclaimed the court closed.

A protest meeting, with banners and placards, “No Vote, No Tax,” was held shortly afterwards in the Market Square. Miss Munro presided over an increasing and interested audience, which received Mrs. Tippett most cordially as she gave an eloquent and forceful explanation of the protest, the necessity for such action and of the policy of the Women’s Freedom League. Miss Munro followed, and replied to a considerable fire of questions at the close of the meeting. There is no doubt that protests such as this up and down the country create a deep impression, and bring home our message to the average elector in a truly forcible fashion.

Anna Munro.

Also from the same issue:

Women’s Tax Resistance League.

On , Mrs. [Adeline] Cecil Chapman will have goods sold for tax resistance at the Broadway Auction Rooms, Walham green Station, at A joint meeting of protest of the Women’s Tax Resistance League and the New Constitutional Society for Woman’s Suffrage will be held at Kelveden Hall, Fulham-road, opposite Parson’s-green-lane, at Speakers: Mrs. Cecil Chapman, Mrs. [Anne] Cobden Sanderson, Mrs. [Myra Eleanor] Sadd Brown, Mr. J. Malcolm Mitchell, and others. Friends are invited to join the procession, which forms up at , at Kelveden Hall, and marches to the Auction Rooms.