Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1860-04-07

MARRIED WOMEN,s RIGHTS

the legislature, has now passed both Houses, and
Iaks only the Governors signature to become u
law. Its purpose is an emiuoutiy just and benef
cent one-that Of preventing the wife from being
robbed Of her earnings aod property 10y the rapac-
lty. neglect u mislUrtunes Vi her husband. IL
protects all married WOMEN, but tho protection 10
Of most essential consequence to poo. women who
have heretofore had the burden Of maintaining
themselyes and their children thrown upon them,
md were yet liable to have their hard earnings
snatcbed by an idle or worthless husband from
heir grasp.
1t will, perhaps. DO looked upon by some as n
dangerous innovation upon the old English Com
mon Law, which merged The wife's property, aud
nGeed her legal existence. in that OF tho husband.
But it is not a novel experiment. Ii is the CON
tlusiOn OF Il series Vt experiments, all of which
nave worked well. and which have marked the
gradual progress from the traditions Of reudai
ages towards IDEAS more consuuaut with IA more
euiightend period. Although New York in tits
mater Is In advance VI her sister States. und Vi
bnsl and, whence tue main body uf our legal usa.
-es Is derived, We expect ut nO very distant day to
SEQ her example Initiated in this as in other legal
relOrmS.
TIC following is the law:
SECTION 1. The property, both real and person.
Al, which any wonan now owns as her sole aud
separate property which comes to her by descent,
icVIse, bequesI, gift or grant, thai whijh she nc.
duires by her trade business. labor or services, car
red On Ur performed On her sole and seperate ac
tUunt, that which II woman married ia this state
owns at the time Of her marriage. and too rents,
ssues ana proceeds Of all such property shall, not.
outstanding her marriage, be aud remain her cole
and se)arnle property, and may bo used, collec-
ted and ii vest d y Der in her own name, aud shall
noI be sub CT j to the i eIf.reuce or control ol
her husband. or liable Tor his debts. except such
iebts as ~moyha'e been contracted for tho support
Of hefs,lt or her Uhiidr Ell by her as his agent.
SEC. 2. a married woman may bargain. sell,
assigd and transfer her separate personal proper
3, and carry on any trade or business. and per
torn Huy labor Or services on her sole and sererute
account, and he earnings OF any married " oman,
rom her trade, business, labor or services, shall
De her sOie and separate property. aud may be
usod and invested Oy her ia her own name.
SEC ). Any married woman possessed Of real
estate as her separate property. may bargain. sell
md convey Su,h property; and enter INFO any
contract in reference to the same, but no such con-
yeyancC or contract shall be valid without The as.
.ent, IN writing, vi her husband, exoep; as herein-
aitor provided.
SEC. t. Ia case any married woman posses, d
ii separate real property, as aforesaid, may des-
lie ~ sell .: convey the same, or to make any
contract in relation thereto, aud shall De unable
b procure the assent OF her husband, as in the
preceding section provided, in Consequence Of his
refusal, absence. insanity, or disability. such mar.
rIed woman may aptiy 10 The county court in the
county where she shah at the time reside, tor
cave to make such sale, conveyance or contract,
without the assent Of her husband.
SEC. 5 Such application may be made 10y peti.
lOn, verified by her, and tetttiug forth the
grounds Vi such application. 1t Tue husband Ue II
.esldent OF the county, and not under disability,
rom Insanity or other cause, u copy Cl sald petr-
uUn shall be served upon him, with y rUtiUe Of the
lime wnen .he same viii be presented 10 the sand
court. at least ten lays before such application -
IN all other cases. the County court ~ which such
.pplicat.uu shall he m rle, shall, in Its discrcuOh
letormlne whether huy cOtce shall be- given, aud,
1 any, tie mpue ana manner Of giving Is.
SIC. q. Ii it sha,l satisfactorily appear TO such
cuurE, upon such application, that the husband VI
,uth applicant Las mi!lutly abanduEed hs said
ale. and lives separate aud arart irom her, or
,nAt he IS lnoanc, or IMPRISONED 40 CONVICT II.
any STATE priSIuI VI that he 10 an habIlual druu4-
ara VI That he Vas IN any way Disabled from ma.
Grug II contract Or tuAt he refuses to give his con
sent without good cause therefor, then such court
snail cause au order to De entertained upon Ito re-
cords, authorizing such married woman to sci!
aud convey her real estate, or CONTRACT Ia regard
hereto, without The assent Vi her husband, With
he same effect AZ though sueh convey unce VI
contract had Letn made With his assent.
SIC. I. ANY married woman may while mar
ned, sue anu DC sued IA all matters having reiu-
ION to her property, which may Lu ner svle anu
separate property, Ur When may hereafter come ~
ner by descent, devise, bequeoi Or !he git OF any
person except her huSUaud, i'll the same mau-
uer Ds II sLe were sole. Any married woman may
Or!ug aud MAINTAIN an action IN heI own name,
lor danuses against any person Ur DvJJ col pvrutt
iUr any INJURY ~ her person and character, tnt
same 40 II she were solei ana the money receive
upon tho settlement Ut ANY such acuou, vr recover.
cd upon II Judgement, shall De her sule aud sepnl.
ate property.
SAC. 3. No bargain or contract made by an,
married woman III respect tU her s0le and separate
properly, Or any property which may hereafter
come ~ her by descent, devise, Uequest or gfs u
Auy person except her husband, aud uo bargain
Or Contract entered into by nay married woman
IN Or about The carrying on Vi any trade or busl
ness, under the statutes OF this state, shall BE-
UIndlng upon her husband, or render him VI h.
property in ANY way liable therefore.
SEc 8. Every married woman Is hereby consli
.u'ed and declared - be- the Hnt guardian Of her
%ehiIdren, win her husband, with equal puwers
lights and duties 10 regard To them, with her hus
land.
SEC. 10. AT the decease of husband or wife
.aving ~ minor child or children, the survivor
shall hold, possess and enjoy u liie.estate in oue
dIird Of all the real estate Ut which the husband
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