Evening star., 1886-11-30

How far should the husband assume command
OF the wife in the regulation OF the internal econ-
Omy OF the home? That question IS likely to be
discussed at some length before the court which
tries Mrs. Abby Farwell Ferrys suit for divorce in
Chicago. Mr.. Ferry Is not charged with unfatth-
fulness TO any OF his marriage obligations except
his pledge TO support and cherish his wife. Ac-
corCling TO her complaint, instead Of supporting
her, he permitted her largely to support him, and
doled out her money to her so sparingy that she
often suffered for the lack OF common creature
comforts He forced her to make the ehidren's
clothing and mend the worn-out carpets with her
own hands. and then growled because she did not
ind time to look more carefully after affairs In the
kitchen, where tie servants did what they chose
He found swtn IN the cOal-hodS, waste pipes
Choked, and ashes more than a day old in the
range. For these things he held her accountable
and made her set Of rules seventeen in number
covering every conceivable detail OF servants con-
duct and her own relations thereto. To cap the
climax, he used 10 swear at her savagey when-
ever she did not live up his ideal In all respects
The swearing was undoubtedly wrong and the
rules were probably foolish. Mr.. Ferry erred in
the same way as the old man in the nursery son9
who
Vowed he couli 10 more work in day
Than mis- wife could 10 in three"
and who was converted by a single experiment to
the belief that
His wife could do more work in day
Than he could I'm seven"
The error is OF the same class as that which un-
married persons always make when they criticise
the bringing-up of other peoples children. The
court might, in this case, step out OF the beaten
track, and suspend judgment TIL Mr.. Ferry had
been put for 4 month into his wifeis place. II, ut
the end OF That period he were not ready to admit
that any hoilsekccpeF Is an idiot who employs only
cheap and unframed servants and expects to have
his coal-hols Kept free from garbage his waste
pipes Unchoked and his range cleansed daily OF
ashes. Il would be sufficient proof OF his own un-
soundneSs OF mindor Obduracy Of heart to warrant
the issue OF decree against him. II is On unfor-
tunate turn things have TAKEN for the Ferrys but
i, VIII have It's bright side IL it serves as warIl-
ing 10 young people contemplating Glatrimony
that man who proposes 10 reform all the abuses
OF the domestic servant had better address
himself frankly t. the task, instead OF lashing the
misconduct OF TIE cook anu housemaid across the
shoulders OF their oserro-sed mistress.
II Is scarcely surprising that severe eensure has
been called forth by the course OF Judge Turner
OF the United States district court now In session
at san Antonio, Texas, In suspending business for
two days on account OF ex-Presijent Arthur-s
DEATH and refusing 10 adjourn over Thanksgiving
In pursuance of the recommendation of President
Cleveland. The partisan construction given 10 IL
in some guarters-that the Judge felt higher re-
gard for republican President dead than for a
democratic President living-may be far-fetched-
But less strained view OF the case leaves Judge
Turner In a position equally censurable. Whether
the man who nils it is beloved or hated esteemed
or despiSed, the Office OF President at least de-
mands the respect OF every American citizen. A
Recommendation from the White House is usually
considered, by courtesy, equivalent to an order
provided 1t has nothing unreasonable in it, The
custom OF observing Thanksgiving day as
national holiday goes back In the north to Mr.
Lincolns administration and In the south as far
as Mr.. Johnson's. Judge Turner could hardly
make the excuse that he had not time TO conduct
the business OF hts court properly II he adjourned
for Thanksgiving, for there was no necessity for
his adjourning TWO days out of respect to the
memory OF the ex-President. The departments
in washington and the federal Offices In other
cities suspended business on the day OF the
funeral; there was no call for a more extended
tribute from the courts; and Judge Turner must
have known what date had been fixed for Thanks
giving day at least fortnight before the news of
MI. Arthur'S death reached Texas