Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1838-02-27
RIGHTS OF WOMEN.

Hertaell Of the Legislature Of New
York, the provisions Of which, pro-
tects the property Of Women from be-
ing squandered Orsacri6ced by the bad
management or misfortnnes Of their
husbands. The bill has been cares
fully prepared and submitted to the
INSPECTION Of meii ''leafned in the law"
who have given id their approval ri
It's provisions, and theft OPihloE.s vi
its.constitutionality. We are IlaCDv 10
see the "sterner sex" leglsl.tlng for
"Heaven's lasty best Pit" and we hail
the present, as 2 revival Of the sage
Of chivalry." The New York Star
makes tie following sound and sensi-
Die remarks in relation TO the proPo-
Sed laws-Edt. s. Argus.
The first wish Of good husband is
to see his wife and children cOmforta.
bic, and beyond the reach of want-it
is his early Prayer-his latest thoughts
tho object Of his labOrs-and the
triumphs of his efforts,-He wishes to
hive in happiness with them, and to
surrenderhis spirit intheir arms. Such
a man can never object to his wlGe's
possessing and controlling her own
fortune. Such a man on the contrary
will be reiOiced, if misfortunes should
overcome him in business, if bankrup-
cy stares him II. the face, that his wife
and children are not reduced to- egga-
~, and that their means of subsistence
are not taken from them by his credit
ors. Placing aside all the legal Obiec.
to this equitable arrangement, if we
look at it in a domestic point of view
it is most desirable. If woman has
a legal control over property which
she inherits-if the husband cannot
seize upon her means and squander it
in extravaganza and dissipation, we
shall have less fortune hunting, pur-
suit which unhappily is too prevalent in
this money-loVing country; women
would be courted for their virtues,
and not beloved for their wealth-dan-
dyism would be at discount, and NO
man would run away with boarding
school girl, or marry lady in hopes
of touching her fortunes" and what
is too frequently the case, see that for
tune vanish at the mere touch, leaving
a delicate wife and small children to
mourn over lost hopes. There are a
thousand things which it is desirable a
wife should possess the means of at
tanning, without drawing on the re-
sources Uf her husband. She may
have her little fancies to indulge, her
little tastes and wishes to CRAFTY, and
when she gives away a daughter in
marriage she would like to make some
little provision for her comfort or the
qualification of a reasonable ambition.
Why should the mere fact of civil
contractor marriage transfer to a hus.
band the unlimited control Of property
belonding to a wife? True there are
trusts which may guard her property,
but what can he more odious to hus-
band than to see d trustee-a mere
stranger in the family making pur-
chases for his wife? Any man Of spir-
II Of feeling would infinitely prefer
leaving TO- die wife the uncontrolled
use of her own property. We cannot
see the danger or the domestic troubles
which can arise from this law.
Generally speaking, money is safer
in the hands of women than of men,
they have not the thousand 0aily temp,
tationsto risk it IN every direction that
men have; they are more saving
more rejecting, more considerable
their position in society makes them so
and how frequently it occurs that 3
wife surprises a husband with some
little purchase she has made for her,
self, her children, or perchance fol
him out of her little domestic economy
and savings. Besides these consider
ations, there are numerous other
which may be advanced in favor o
the law. Take for example the i'm
POrtant one Of ChGrity. What woulc
become Of the poor were it not for IN,
AID which woman affordin their Attic
tlonsT Our best institutions are foun
ded and sustained by them-the sicI
the disabled--the aged and the in
digent find in them soIace, com
fort, relief Why should the happi
ness and consolation of afording sue
cour to the distressed be abridged b.
an unfeeling husband prohibiting. hi
VIE from giving her own money i
aims? And yet this doubtless Ia
been the case.
We can readily believe that a ba,
husband would object to a law whicI
would confer any privileges upon hi
wife, and particularly that law whicI