The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1883-02-01
az LNrERE.sr rO WOMEN

or INTEREST TO WOMEN.
Mrs. Packard, of Chicago, who is
championIng the rights of married wO-
men at Topeka, is making her presence
felt at the state capital in very sensi-
BILE manner. The measure which she
has been instrumental in having IN
troduced through Mr.. Finch. is entitled
IAN act to declare aud protect the iden-
tity OF married women" and provides
shat henceforth a married woman shall
retain the same legal existence after mar
riage as before marriage, and shall
thereby receive the same protection of
all her rights as a woman that her hus-
band does as a man. And for any inju-
ry sustained t. her person, or property,
character or any natural right, shall
have the same right to appeal in her own
name alone to the courts OF law or
equity for redress and protection that
the husband has to appeal in his own
name."-
Mrs. Packard, the sponsor Of this sen
sible measure 10 rather a remarkable
character, being u ''woman's rights wo-
man" who is not in favor of female suf-
Hrage. II was her peculiar misfortune
to be wrongfully imprisoned by her
husband under the laws of Illinois, in
an insane asylum for three years. Her
husband was a strict. Calvanistic Pres
bYterian preacher. She Yentured To
doubt the doctrines and he trumped up
a charge and had her incarcerated. Be-
ing a married woman she had no rights,
and could not get out on habeas corpus.
but was finally released by the influence
of mob law. Her husband found It
necessary to make tracks for fear of the
same influence, taking her property and
children with him. She followed him
to Massachusetts and was again pre-.
vented from suing for her rights because
she was married woman. She was In
formed that being a married woman she
could not maintain any action In the
courts. Her experience aroused her {
the discrimination TO go to work for
the liberation of womankind from mar
RED slavery. She does not believe the
ballot will benefit woman, but that it
will IN the end degrade. She wants
married women raised to the dignity of
illegal persons" Her efforts have result
ed in securing the passage of nineteen
bills in different legislatures.
The other bill, also intro
duced VI her request, Is
TO protect inmates of insane asylums. IL
provides shat hencetorth there shall be
no censorship exercised over the cores
pondence of inmat.s OF insane asylumI
in this state. but their postofflce rights
shall be as free and unrestrained as are
those of any other resident or citizen Of
this state, and be under the protection
of the same postal laws. And every in
mate shall be allowed to write when and
whatever he or she desires to any person
he or she may choose. And il is hereby
made the duty Of the superintendent TO
furnish each and every inmate of each
and every insane asyl1m in the sttte with
suitable material Cor writing, enclosing,
sealing, stamping and mailing letters,
sufficient at least for the writing of
one Letter a week, provided they request
the same, unless they are otherwise fur
nished with such material and all such
letters shall be dropped by the writers
thereof, accompanied by an attendant
when mt ssary, into post Office box,
provided hy the state At the insane asy-
lum, and kept in some place easy of ac-
cess tn all patients; and the contents Of
such post Office box or boxes shall be
collected once every week by an author
il ID person, and by him placed iu the
United States mSil for delivery. And it
Is hereby made the duty of the super
intendent of every insane asylum 10
this state, either public or private, TO d.
liver or cause TO BE- delivered To said
person any letter or writing to him or
her directed. without opening or read
ing the same, or allowing il 10 be opened
or read, without the consent of the re-
cipient Of such letter or the request or
consent of the writer"
1t also provides that in the event OF
the death of any inmate of any asylum
for the insane of this state. such fact
shall be Immediately reported by the
superintendent thereof, 10 the coroner
of the county in which such death oc-
ours, or To the nearest justice of the
peace therein. and a :oroner's Inquest
shall be held as provided by law In
other cases; and In all asylum invesli,
cations the testimony of any person OF
tered as a witness. whethsr sane or in-
sane, shall be received, and the
court and jury shall be the sole judges
OF the credIbility OF snch testimony.