The sun., 1881-11-20

| tRoDertS BrOthers) does not. OF course assume
to supersede the voluminous work which Mrs.
Stanton and others havo recently compiled.
Mrs. Robinson's essay. however. will be found
not the larger book at hand. for although II
purports to portray only one phase OF the
woman's suffrage movement that. namely.
which has taken place in Massachusetts,. it
really contains good deal OF information on
the progress OF female emancipation in other
States. we'll as in western Europe.
Mrs Robinson believes that tho great CHANCES
In the legal status OF women in Massachusetts
are the direct results OF the labors Of the adyo-
Gates OF female suffrage. These changes arc
certainly very striking. as the author shows In
q concise summary of tho improvements ef-
feeted. Thirty years ago. when the womsn's
rights movement began. the status OF n married
woman in Massachus sits was little better than
that OF n domestic servant. The common law Of
that State held man and wife to be ono person.
but that person was the husband. He could by
will deprive her OF every part OF his personal
property. and also OF what had been her own be-
fore marriage. He was the owner of her earn
ings. and he had the income OF her real estate
till sho died. while II they ever had a living
child his ownership OF the real estate continued
till his death. The wife could mako no con-
tract and no will. nor without her husbands
tate devised to her. He could forbid hor TO buy
loaf OF brend or contract for load OF wood 10
keep tho family warm. She did not own O rag
OF her own clothing.
To-day. In Massachusetts, n married woman
can hold her own property II 1t is held or
bought In her own name. and can make will
disposing Of it. She can now mako contracts.
enter into copartnsrships. carry on business.
iuvesther earnings for her own use and behooi.
and she Is also responsible for hor own debts.
She is now the owner OF her cloth ing to the
value OF 1000. She can be executrix. admins
tratriS. guardian. or trustee. She can testify
in the courts for or against her hus-
band. II her husband sees flt to whip her
with e stick no bigger than his thumb" she
can have him bound over to keep tn. peace for
two years; II she lives apart from him che can
"nd ns Mow s4f
today to be defrauded, of her legal rights in
the division OF properly by reason OF an unjust
saehusoits: In short. tho lnst thirty years have
women than tie four hundred preceding.
During The same period the Massachusetts,
70 vote in parishes and religious societies, and
declaring that women must" become members
Q, the Board q Trustees Of the three stHie
house. tho State almshouss at Tewksbury. and
the Board OF Prison Commissions; also tha.
tory prison for women at shsrborn shall be
women" Without LEGISLATION. women now
are school supervisors, overseers Of the
members OF tho State Board OF Edu.
cation. and tho State Board OF Health. Luuaey.
and Charity. Since 1879 women have had tho
right In massachusetts to vote at city and town
meeting for members OF school committees.
In 1870 the vote in the House Of Ropresenta-
tivas on h D general Woman's Suffrage bill was
GS yeas to l33 nays. and in 1881 the bin giving
the House by a vote OF 20 nays to 7G yeas. Tho
facts certainly appear 10 justify Mrs. Robin
sons expectation that the eXparimsnt OF
womsn's suffrage will be tried al no distant day
In Massachusetts.
Among the Interesting matter collacted in an
appendl1 to this volume win be found n n account
otthe success recently achieved by the partsans
OF fomne suffrage in the Isle OF Man. 1t viii be
remembered q at this ancient priHcipRlity does
not send ne.nhers % the British Parliament. but
has its own Government, its own House of Lords
Lthe CounciD. and House OF Commons (ths
Keys. indeed. tho House Of Keye is a much
Older Institution than the House OF Commons.
having been established about the year OBS
II appears that in November. 1850. II bi.
extending tho franchise to such wom.n ss
possess tho requisite property QualificatiSns.
passed the House OF Keys. and, having been
signed by the Queen. became n law. In March
1881. out OF the 700 women electors on tho
Island. 400 voted under the new statute. We
aare further reminded py Mrs. Robinson that in
May lssl. the tarliqment q the United King
women OF Scotland. After January. 1892, the
women OF that portion OF Great Britain will be
Legally ertted 10 vote In the elections OF every
Municipal Council.