Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-08
"Justice at the Fireside.o

FROM the Minneapolis Tribune
One of the chief sources of domestic unhap-
piness is the humiliation put upon women in
relation to money. Not one man in a hundred
but regards his money as his own, or doles it
out to his family with sort of mental approval.
Not one man out of hundred who considers it
his privilege to criticise the use of money ex-
pended on her account but would resent his
wife's dictation as to his business schemes or
tailor's bills. Women are accused of being ex-
travagant, of not understanding how to expend
money. If this were fact, which little OBJ
servation does not bear out, it would prove
nothing. Money that comes without sense of
responsibility as well as right goes more easily
than money acquired through definite condi-
tons for definite purposes.
In short no wife should be a pensioner on
her husbands charity. No woman should be
placed on lower plane than the servant who
is paid, without questioning, for service rem
dered: No self-respecting woman should be
forced to ask as favor what is hers by right.
and no woman who is so degraded in her own
household can long respect herself or the bond
age dignified by the term marriage. If mar
riage, the home and the housekeeping is part
nership, common justice forbids that one of
the partners shall divide the profits to suit him
self, or sell out the other whenever he inclines
1t is mean man, small man, that reduces his
wife to beggary, that Obliges her to ask for the
money he had made up his mind to give her, or
that lays out S. bill on his knee, eyes it as a
sort of sacrificlal lamb. and hands it over
grudgingly with an inquiry as to its use and an
admonition on economy.
Why should not married men on fixed sala-
rles give their wives a regular allowance, paid
at stated times, as their own is received? Why
should not their be housekeeper's fund and
clothing allowance as free from his interfer-
ence as his business enterprises and business
liabilities are from hers? What is to prevent
men on huctuating incomes from paying their
wives a reasonable per cent? Certainly moth
ing can excuse rich man from making his
wife Independent by property and revenue
therefrom. Domestic economy can never be
regulated by law Justice at the fireside can
rise no higher than the sentiment of the man
at the helm.
Irresponsibility in money matters should
cease early in life. Every small boy and girl
should have gradually increasing allowance,
and be taught by ill-judged bargains 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 fam
cies. Experience is the only teacher On this
basis boys and girls pretty nearly grown to
mans and womans estate, instead of being
importunate, wheedling, discontented pen
sioners, will be financiers in a small way. Be-
ing treated with respect, they will be indie
pendent in spirit Being limited in income
and having learned that poor judgment is a
policy of deprivation, they will study the best
use OF a dollar. This is the policy on which to
formulate the domestic 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 a wife systematically. and the
world will cease discussing the extravaganza of
women.