The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1890-06-21
REFORM IN
Laws That Work Cruel linus
tice in Some Cases.

American Laws That Work Cruel InJus-
tice in Some Cases.
"They manage these things much
better in Germany" said a prominent
American-German citizen n day while
conversing with a Philadelphia Tag
CARTS Times reporter on the subject of
wills. SIN Germany a ~hard-hearted or
easily influenced parent a not cut q
child off with a triie, as they can do in
this country or in England. In Ger
many and also in France a person max
ing a will can not do so in private, as Is
done here, giving an opportunity for
villainy and unfairness on the part of
the relatives who are closest to the tes-
tator and have charge of his private
papers. The German citizen, in making
a will, is required to go before a judge
or notary, who instructs him as to the
provisions of the law, and informs inc
testator that il certain rules are vio-
lated, the will is invalid. Thus a hus-
band is compelled to leave a wife one
half his possessions and his children
the remainder, unless they debar them
selves from this provision of the law by
certain u~nflial crimes. For instance,
II a child strikes or abuses either of his
parents, he is legally disinherited. 1t
is the same If he brings a suit, civil or
criminal, against his parents, and in case
he marries against the wishes of either
parent, they can, on their death, de-
prive him of just one-half the amount
he you'd otherwise receive"
In this country the laws concerning
wills are very bad, and through them
many a rightful heir has been cheated
out OF his just desserts by the protec-
ton the law gives to the arts and con
%nivances of designing and wicked rela-
tives. In this country a will can not be
registered until after the death of the
~testator, and the only assurance that q
man has after making a will, that it
will fall into proper hands at death, is
to place IL with a trust n safe deposit
company, who accept wills for safe
keeping during the life of the testator.
AS far as the claims of relatives go to a
persons property, n widow is the only
n who can enforce such a claim in
America, where the law gives her a
third of her husbands estate, no matter
how his will may read; but beyond that,
hio IciaIiNcS nave Ho lcBdi CldihiS Ou
his property, as it is entirely a matter
Of choice with him whether he leaves
them any thing at all.
There is no doubt, however, that this
condition Of the law relating to wills,
works cruel injustice in some cases. A
few months ago a wealthy butcher, liv-
ing uptown, lay upon his dying bed.
His nearest relatives were his wife, his
only son and his mother. What money
he had he earned principally through
the help of his faithful wife and his
dutiful son, who had stood in the market
for hin since a small lad. just previous
to his death his wife asked him: John,
have you made every provision for us
after yon are gone? If you have not
there may be trouble" "Have no fear
Of that, Mary" replied the dying
butcher. Every thing is attended to-"
Satisfied by this assurance, the wife
said MO more about the matter. What
was her reg6aaa.spspEise 70 find, wbsn
angry, on learning TIE news, TIKI DE
tore the Grape off the parlor shutters.
The wife contested the will and was
awarded her third interest in his estate
according to law, but there was no rem
edy for the son and he went penniless.-
Christian at Work.