Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-08-23
WHO OWN THE BABIES ?
The Sole Legal Right to the Children
Rests In the Father In All EXCEPT
Three OF the States.
Aithough Most of the Men DoL't Know II.
ana II rhey Did Would Not Assert Their
Right as Against the Mother.
Lucy stone in Boston Globe.

Lucy stone In Boston Globe.
Millions OF mothers all over the United
States gather their little ones around
them, never dreaming that by the law
they have no right to these children.
They do not know that the sole legal
right to these children rests with the
father in all but three OF the states. Most
men do not know 1t. A majority of
fathers, II hey did know it, would never
assert their right as against the mother.
But now and then father who is "a had
as the law knows his legal rights and
assumes them.
Not long ago, within a short ride of
Boston by rail, lived young man and
his wife and their seven-months-ol baby.
Apparently they were at peace and pros
porous. One day the husband told his
wife at noon that a certain family had
sent her an earnest invitation TO spend
the afternoon. The wife said she chad
too many things to do that day to go to
visit" But the husband said.
''You ought to go when they
send for you. will take care Of
the baby" Thus urged the wife made
ready and went. At o'clock she came
home. The house was locked, husband
and baby gone. There was no letter to
explain this sudden and unexpected alb
sence. The neighbors knew nothing
Overwhelmed with grief and heartache
tor her nursing baby, the poor mother
consulted lawyer. BY his advice she
forced an entrance TO the house. How
empty and desolate it seemed. It was
evident that the husband had exercised
his legal rights and taken the child
where he pleased. All the neighbors
sympathized with the wife. Men said
that "if the wretch ever returned he
would deserve to be tarred and ieath-
cred" Execration was loud, deep and
abundant, but one quiet woman who
knew the law said: "He is only as bad
as the law which allows him the sole
right to the child" But every man sale
there was no such law. 1t was only
after reference to the statutes they coulC
admit that here in Massachusetts, 1
married father has q right TO rob his wife
of her children, and that men who were
so cruel, mean and dastardly were only
as bad as the law. There was but on,
opinion OF the law and of the man. But
that could not restore that tender, help
less babe to Its mother. II others coulC
sleep or rest, there was neither sleep mo-
rest for her. The parents Of thli
husband lived in Canada. 1t was mos
likely he had taken the child Il
them. She had been to their home anC
knew how to find it. Making such ar
rangements as were possible she started
for Canada. The same night the hus
band returned. Not finding his wife, h
surmised that she had gone for the child
He had carried 1t to his parents. HI
telegraphed them to take the child ava
and hide it. This they did. Whe
the young mother appeared at tn
, door of the parents of her husban
with this measureless grief in he
heart, his mother met her at the door
One would suppose that the heart Of tn
old mother would have melted in sympl
; thy for this grief-strlcken young one. BIZ
not so. She sympathized with her sol
1t cannot now be told how 1t was mar
aged, but she found the little one in a he
'. attic, evidently not having been eve
washed since 1t left home, and she too
(. it to her own fathers house, where she
Q to-day in dread of what may happen
her and to 1t.
The brother of this cruel father too
G his child few years ago from its mother
E Her relatives paid him 500 to bring
, back 1t is supposed mat THIS man nope
to make money by similar torture OF hi
wife.
7 There was great deal of indignation
both among men and women, in the cas-
quoted above. But what does u avail
1t is evident there is need Of women t
help men make laws that will protet
women and children. But the repre-
sentative from the town where all tn
happened voted against woman suffrag
In the Massachusetts legislature la'
winter. 1t is to be hoped that the votel
there will see to 1t that he does not hav
the opportunity to do so again. MeaI
time, the reproach Of all good citizen
men and women, should be so poure
out upon men wing wrong mothers an
liule children that they will fee as othe
thieves and robbers fee before homes
people.