Woman's chronicle. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1888-1???, 1890-03-29

members Of this organization.
1t is the duty of the husband to support his
wife; but the law imposes no penalty on him for
not doing SO. If she be sent to lunatic asylum,
there are cases where he has been compelled, by
law, to pay her board; but if she be sent to the
poorhouse, the courts of New York and Ohio de-
clare he is under no obligation to pay her expenses
Avoid the poorhouse, therefore, if you would pun
ish your husbands. The rule in enlightened Mas
sachusetts, however, is different, and there the
husband has been compelled, by law, to pay for
straight board; but this does not include clothes
Man is entirely too whimsical; and if he cannot
be compelled to either feed Or clothe his wife, it
will readily be seen that good reason exists why
married ladies shonld not be admitted as members
Clothes are indispensable to the members of this
society, and our rules absolutely protest against
members appearing without clothes.
One of the requisites of membership of this So
ciety is, that the applicant shall own in his own
right a gold watch. II has been determined by
the supreme court of this State, that if husband
during his life time gives his wife gold watch,
that it may be taken from her after his death, and
sold to pay his debts. This would forfeit a men,
bership in our society," Hence persons from whom
the law takes gold Watches can not be admitted
1t has been held that mourning rings, given the
wife by her relatives, cannot be sold to pay the
husbands debts; but this seems to be the only
thing exempt from sale. Diamonds given the
wife, before marriage, are not her own, but may
be sold to pay her husbands debts, as may those
which her husband may have given her. She can
not even claim the wedding ring, if creditors de-
mand it. woman with nothing on but mourn
ing ring, cannot be present at our meetings.
1t is true, the legislature from time to time, has,
to some extent, changed the rights of married
women as fixed by the common law, but these
statutes may at any time be repealed, and remit
women back to the tender mercy of the common
law and a court Of chancery With our knowledge
of mankind, for man is ''unco weak and little to
be trusted we cannot open our doors to the
membership Of married women.
1t is all very well to talk Of the power and in
huence OF women; that their presence tends to the
elevation Of mankind. That is what is the matter
now. Man is elevated entirely too much. As
philosophers we have learned that no portion of
the human race who, by law, are denied rights
which are accorded to the governing class, have
ever been able to protect themselves from abuse
and wrong.
1t may be said these objections only apply to
married women, and that no excuse is offered for
excluding girls. There is no philosophy in either
the stair or racquet act. The tendency to love
and marriage is so strong in unmarried ladies, that
the last place one could look for philosophers
would be among the girls There is no philosophy
in love, nor is there love in philosophy, and the
same thing may be said Of marriage. Do not un-
derstand me as throwing any impeachment in the
way Of marriage. 1t is great relief to young
woman. She has seen her mother boss her father
around and take him off to parties, balls, theaters
and operas whether he wanted to or not, and this
is much better than sitting at home and wondering
which of half dozen young fellows has saved up
enough money to pay for tickets and carriage, and
finally have all hopes blasted by the impecuniosity
Of her acquaintance.
Bit why prolong the matter? 1t is harsh thing
to say; but it is dsreputable to be woman at all
Tho law frowns unon them. the law nunishes Thorn