The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-01-15

luAiuCdPOhc AiluuhC.l
One of the chief sources of domestic un-
happiness is the humiliation put upon wo-
men in relation to money. Not one man in
hundred but regards his money as his own,
or doles it out to his family with a sort OF
mental approval. Not one man out of
hundred who considers it his privilege to
criticise the use Of money expended on her
account but would resent his wife's dictation
as to his business schemes or tailor's bills.
Women are accused of being extravagant, of
not understanding how to expend money.
II this were fact, which little observation
does not bear out, it would prove nothing.
Money that comes without sense of respon-
sibility as well as right goes more easily than
money acquired through definite conditions
Tor definite purposes. In short, no wife
should be pensioner on her husbands char
ity. No woman should be placed on lower
plane than the servant who Is paid without
questioning, for services rendered. No self
respecting woman should be forced to ask as
favor what is hers by right, and no woman
can long re ,pect herself or the bondage dig
mild by the term marriage. II marriage,
the home, and the housekeeping is partner
ship, common justice forbids that one of the
partners shall divide the profits to suit him
self, or sell out the other whenever he in
clines. IL is mean man, small man, that
reduces his wife to beggary, that obliges her
70 ask for the money he had made
up his mind to give her, or that lays
out 30 bill on his knee, eyes 1t as sort OF
sacrifcial lamb, and hands it Iver grudgingly
with an inquiry as TO its use and an adm0n-
ition Of economy, Why should not married
men on fixed salaries give their wives reg
uiar allowance, paid at stated times as their
own is received? Why should not there be
housekeeper's fund and clothing allowance
as free from his interference as his business
enterprises and business liabilities are from
hersP What is 70 prevent men ON fiuctuating
incomes from paying their wives a reason
able per cent? Certainly nothing can ex-
cuse rich man from making his wife indie
pendent by property and revenue therefDm.
domestic economy can never be regulated by
law. Justice at the freside can rise no
higher than the sentiment of the man at the
helm. Irresponsibility in money matters
and girl should HAYES gradually increasing
allowance, and be taught by ill-judged bar
gains and petty blunders to buy with view
to their needs. They should be taught that
money is to meet our necessities rather than
our desires or fancies. Experience Is the
only teacher. On this basis boys and girls
pretty nearly grown to mans or woman's es- /
tate, instead Of being importunate, wheel
ling, discontinued pensioners, will be fnan-
ciers In small way. Being treated with
respect, they will be Independent in spirit.
Being limited in income and having learned
that poor judgment is a policy of deprivation
they VIII study the best use of dollar.
This Is the platform; the solution Of all
problems Of domestic economy. Have done
with household beggars make children self
respecting teach girls the use Of money.
Divide with wife systematically, and the
world Will cease discussing the extravaganza
OF women. f -ff{ fias rt.ss