Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-01-17
4 nnAvr SOCIAL QUESTION.

Colonel Kerr has introduced bill &c
make adultry the only causeoof DIVORCE
This isa sweeping change; it is going
hack to the old Levitical starting point.
Some legislation is demanded by the
crvinc abuses of the marital relations
which come to light almost daily in our
napers and at every term Of the courts.
Marriage has come to be looked upon
"a n matter of convenience or inconve-
nience. as the case may be, partner
sbi, business, which can be severed by
irving legal notice, as other firms are
dissolved. The fault is partly in the
Loose construction of the laws, and
chiefly in a demoralized state of public
sentiment. If the laws were as strin-
GENT as in olden times, people
would not rush into matrimony
without being determined to bear
its responsibilities for life, for better or
for worse. Nor would they begin to
look about for pretext to throw off its
chains at the first little cloud which
arises over their domestic life. Marrl-
spe is the fountain of purity, and if it
he defled or left ungusrded, public NOR
ais peace and virtue will be contamin-
ated and destroyed We believe, how
ever that Colonel Kerr's bill shapld go
one step further, and provide thatih case
of continued ill-treatment from hus-
hand the wife should be permitted to
withdraw from his root, and by decree OF
court secure half interest in his prop
erty. personal and real, and in his future
earnings. This would furnish excellent
grounds for compromise, and the hus-
hand would soon be seen dressed up like
a widower, going back to court his own
wife. little matter which husbands in
the conscious security Of a wiie's
affection and fidelity sometimes neglect
without intending it. And while on this
subject we will add that it always looked
like a relic of some barbarous age or
neople to have a law on our statute
books making a wife's property, owned
before she was married, liable for the
husbands debts, contracted either be-
fore or after marriage. There is neither
reason nor Justice in such law. Each
one should be entirely independent of
the other, and equal before the law to
own propeyty, transfer or bequeath. To
this extent we are in favor of woman's
rights, believing that the sex has been
subjected to great injustice at the hands
of our lawmakers from time immemo
rial. It often happens that the trunks
and personal effects of lady are seized
Immediately after marriage to pay the
board or whisky or tsilor's bill Of the
thriftless husband, contracted previous
to marriage Woman is treated too
much as a chattel, without legal rights,
than as a Responsible, intelligent mem
Der of society. Our laws need revision
on this subject; but one great obstacle in
the way of any reform is the burlesque
talk Of class Of women who, by mas
culine manners and demand for access
to the ballot-box, have thrown ridicule
on the proper movement, and made
themselves look absurd at the expense
of their more modest and unpretending
sisters. As Colonel Kerr is about as
good looking, gallant and young as any
member of the House, we trust he will
do his whole duty as well as he has be-
gun, and indicate the real rights Of the
softer sex in the halls Of the Legislature
as we'll as he acts the agreeable upon all
occasions.