The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-05-30
How srr. smiths Law Works I'm Nssv

u
-,r rrrr rrTTrp PROTECTED THAN THE HUS-
BAND HOW THE LAWS WOULD WORK II
THEY SHOULD CHANGE PLACES.
To the Editor of The Tribune:
'sir.-Your remarks about the neWly-ac'
ouired rights of married women relating TO
the dsposing of their personal and real es.
tate. and control OF earnings, calls 10 miha
the fact that, notwithstanding all the changes
which have been made in the laws aHectlng
the wife, those regarding the husband sun
remain the same. He is still responsible lot
his wise's support under all circumstances,
Notwithstanding it is asserted that she
/, his equal, and can retain for herself all the
property she may acquire, or dispose OF IL
IN any way she may choose. If the relations
are reversed The contrast is apparent. sup
pose that the code affecting the HUSBAND
should apply to the wife, ana that Affecting
the wife apply to the husband. This would
at once place the wife in the husbands pre-
sent cuyiablc position, and turn the tables
completely The wife could then have the
satisfaction of being responsible for the, sup
port of her husband for his actions, debts,
&C.. tor the consequence Of any libel uttered
by him, while at the same time the HUSBAND
would be perfectly free agent, free from MS
| wi:e's control. Her real estate co'iiu
Only he sold with her husounu
consent. while he could DO as ne
pleased with bis. The beauty OF tnls
arrangement consists in its giving inc IRE
soonsiOle party the power TO con n,, .ne ao.
tons of the responsible one. ihis coulse
Terms so with the principles OF pure coln'
mon sense that it needs no further comment.
The wife under this turn-aDlc arrangement
vnI,ld he held 10 Il strict performance oi Ilie
marriage contract, while the HUSBAND cooiu
keep " bat little he would be called on TO
make, or not, just as it SUITED hMl' ne
could resolve not to do anything, anu II
| the wife attempted the same course coula
nave her arrested Oh the charge OF 1aillhs 10
support her husband, and have share OF her
earnings set aside for his spec>ai Deneh',
while at the same time all his earnings were
secured to him. In case OF a divorce the
wic's privilege would consist ID paying ne[
husbands expenses to the illllest eAtciiI VI
her meaus; if, on the other hano, the nus
band was in the wrong, the wife Wotlld De
allowed TO 60 free without receiving any
CONDENSATION for the shame her HUSBAND
had brought upon her. In fact, the present
posi,ion of the husband is so enriablc and
in every way 50 calculated to make
him respect himself and his wife re-
spect him that it is strange that my
idea has not been carried into effect
before. 1t has been asserted that un'
der the law husband is nothing more
than supply producing machine without
any control over the objects he is responsible
for but this must be mistake, or how
could such keen thinker as Miss Anthony
sav that the husband revelled while the wife
was down.trodden. The prospect held forth
to a young man about to marry is extremely
encouraging. The position of husband ought
10 be reserved as reward of merit. 1t is
100 dgnifed a position to be enjoyed by a
common mind. Z. Z. M.
Brooklyn, A. r, May 20, 1874.