ID: 2685
Police Court Charge sheets for Mary Phillips
Women's Suffrage
Category: History
Place/Publisher/Date:
London, No Publisher, 1908-1914.
Description:
Charge sheet for Mary Phillips one page, printed with manuscript insertions 4to Canon Row Police Station, 30 June 1908. Bound in the sum of two pounds to appear at Westminster Police Court on 1 July 1908 to answer charges of "Wilfully obstructing Police in the due execution of their duty at Parliament Square". With two other Police Court Charge sheets made out to Margaret Paterson, to appear at Bow Street Police Court for "using insulting behaviour" and "wilfully obstructing Police", two pages, printed with manuscript insertions, Canon Row, 8 March and 22 March 1914. Mary Phillips was born in Glasgow in 1880. Her father held progressive political views and encouraged her to become involved in the women's suffrage movement. In 1904 she was employed as a paid organiser of the Glasgow and West of Scotland Association for Women's Suffrage. Phillips wrote a regular column in Forward, a "Scots Weekly journal of socialism, trade unionism, and democratic thought" in which she commented on parliamentary reform. She became convinced that "constitutional" agitation had failed. She joined the Women's Social and Political Union and in June 1907 and established a WSPU branch in Glasgow. In March 1908 Mary Phillips was arrested and sentenced to six-weeks in Holloway Prison after taking part in a WSPU demonstration outside the House of Commons. Her release was reported in Votes for Women. "On Friday morning the first batch of prisoners to be released from Holloway were met at the prison gates, and escorted in triumph, banners flying and bands playing, to Queen's Hall, where some 250 friends and supporters were waiting to give then a warm welcome." Mary Phillips was quoted as saying: "Tell Mrs Pankhurst and all the other friends that I am very, very glad to do all the other friends that I am very, very glad to do the three months, because I think it will be good for the cause. My only regret is that I have not two bodies, one to do the work outside as well as the one inside. She was arrested again after taking part in the 30th June demonstration - the subect of this charge sheet. On her release on 18th September she was greeted by a bevy of WSPU members, led by Flora Drummond, all of whom were attired in full Scottish regalia and accompanied by pipers. Mary Phillips and her parents were transported in a carriage pulled by the women from Holloway to the Queen's Hall." 'Margaret Paterson' was an alias used by Mary Phillips in an attempt to confuse the authorities 'Margaret Paterson' was one of nine women and two men arrested during scuffles with the police as they attempted to re-arrest Annie Kenney while delivering a speech at the London Pavilion. For attempting to prevent the re-arrest Phillips received a sentence of 20 days in Holloway prison. In February 1914 Phillips was found guilty of obstruction during a scuffle with police that followed the re-arrest of Sylvia Pankhurst as she attempted to join members of the East London Federation of Suffragettes at a demonstration in Trafalgar Square. Incensed by Sylvia's re-arrest Phillips held aloft a flag and led a group of Suffragettes from Trafalgar Square to Whitehall where they clashed with mounted police. Sentenced to two weeks imprisonment or a fine of 40 shillings her fine was paid anonymously and she was discharged.
She was the longest prison serving suffragette. Near fine slightly discoloured and creased.
Price £2500.00
