Some historical and global examples of tax resistance → women’s suffrage movements → British women’s suffrage movement → Mrs. Bacon

The Vote

From the issue of The Vote:

Tax Resistance at Ipswich.

On Tuesday, , Dr. [Elizabeth] Knight and Mrs. [Hortense] Lane had a waggon sold for non-payment of taxes, Mrs. [Isabel] Tippett came to speak. The auctioneer was very sympathetic, and allowed Miss [Anna] Munro to make a short speech before the waggon was sold. He then spoke a few friendly words for the Woman’s Movement. After the sale a meeting was held, and Mrs. Tippett and Miss Munro were listened to with evident interest by a large number of men. The Vote and other Suffrage literature was sold.

In the evening a meeting was held on Cornhill. A large audience gathered, and listened for an hour. At the evening, as well as the morning meeting the logic of tax resistance was appreciated. Ipswich may congratulate itself on a good demonstration. We are very grateful to Dr. Knight and Mrs. Lane for giving us this opportunity of declaring our faith in “No Vote No Tax.”

Elizabeth Knight also penned a fundraising request for the same issue, to defray the costs of her defense and imprisonment.

In addition, a report on the Women’s Freedom League annual conference noted that:

A resolution on the militant policy declared that “We continue our policy of resistance to taxes and to the Insurance Act until a measure for Woman Suffrage is on the Statute Book; that Suffragists refuse subscriptions to churches and organised charitable institutions till the vote is granted, with a view to women making their power felt and to show the difference their withdrawal from religious and social work would make…”

Also from the same issue:

Tax Resistance.

Dr. Knight has not yet been consigned to Holloway to serve the sentence inflicted on her for her courageous resistance of Mr. [Lloyd] George’s extortions. In the meantime, the Waggon was once more seized for taxes at Woodbridge, and Mrs. Tippett and Miss Munro took charge of the protest, which was made .

Also from the same issue:

Women’s Tax Resistance League.

Miss Kate Raleigh gave a most interesting lecture on the “Daily Life of a Taxpaper [sic] in Ancient Athens” at Dr. Alice Corthorn’s drawing-room meeting held under the auspices of the Women’s Tax Resistance League, on . Miss Raleigh held her audience spellbound as she showed the man’s day to be full of interests and life, while the woman had nothing beyond her weaving and spinning, even marketing being an excitement denied to her. The chair was taken by Mrs. [Adeline] Cecil Chapman, who concluded her short speech with this advice to her audience: “It’s dogged that does it — you must keep on and worry, worry, worry.” A keen discussion followed, and a hearty vote of thanks was given to Dr. Alice Corthorn and Miss Raleigh.

Woman Scientist’s Protest.

On scientific instruments and book-cases belonging to Miss Ethel Sargent, Botanist of Girton College and President of the Botanical section of the British Association at the Birmingham Conference — a unique distinction — were sold at Girton as a protest against being taxed for national expenditure while she was denied a vote. The sale attracted wide attention, and Miss Sargent’s dignified speech, maintaining that resistance to taxation without representation was “the only resource for voteless women,” made a deep impression. Her speech was reported at length in the Press.

Forthcoming Sales.

, Mrs. Bacon and Mrs. Colquhoun will have goods sold for tax-resistance at , at Messrs. Westgate and Hammond, 81, South-street, Romford. Procession from auction room to open-air protest meeting. Speakers, Mrs. [Margaret] Kineton Parkes and Miss Nina Boyle. , Drs. [Francis] Ede and [Amy] Sheppard will have goods sold for tax-resistance at at Messrs. Hawkings, 26, Lisson-grove. Procession from Marble Arch Tube at sharp. Speakers, Mrs. [Anne] Cobden Sanderson, Mrs. Kineton Parkes, and others.

The Vote

From the issue of The Vote:

Women’s Tax Resistance League.

On old silver was sold at the house of Miss Wratislaw, Bath, because of her refusal to pay Inhabited House Duty. The articles were sold under similar circumstances. Prior to the sale there was a procession, and immediately afterwards a protest meeting, when Mrs. [Margaret] Kineton Parkes moved the following resolution:— “That this meeting protests against the seizure and sale of Miss Wratislaw’s goods, and considers that women are justified in refusing to pay the Imperial taxes until they have the same control over national expenditure as male tax-payers possess.” A successful drawing-room meeting was held the next afternoon which aroused considerable interest. New members were enrolled.

On Romford was shaken out of its sleepy calm by the tax-resistance sale of goods belonging to Mrs. Colquhoun, of Gidea Park, and Mrs. Bacon, of Hornchurch. A big crowd collected for the protest meeting and listened attentively while Mrs. Kineton Parkes, of the Women’s Tax Resistance League, and Miss C. Nina Boyle, of the Women’s Freedom League, explained the reason for the refusal to pay King’s taxes, and answered the questions which were put after the speeches were over. The usual resolution was passed.

Medical Women Refuse to Pay Unjust Taxes.

On , a gold watch and chain were sold under distraint for King’s taxes at Messrs Hawkings’ Auction Rooms, Lisson-grove, the property of Drs. Frances Ede and Amy Sheppard, practising at Upper Berkeley-street. A procession with banners marched from Marble Arch to the Auction Rooms, via Edgware-road. As soon as Lot 1 was announced, Dr. Ede protested against the sale, and her brief speech was listened to with grave attention. The watch and chain were knocked down at £8 18s. 6d. After three cheers had been given to the tax resisters, the procession continued to Mary-le-bone Baths, where an open-air meeting was held. Dr. Ede presided; the speakers were Mrs. [Anne] Cobden Sanderson and Mrs. Kineton Parkes. At the close of the meeting, the following resolution was carried: “That this meeting protests against the seizure and sale of goods belonging to Drs. Ede and Sheppard, and is of opinion that women tax-payers are justified in refusing to pay all Imperial taxes till they have the same control over national expenditure as male tax-payers possess.”