The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-08-24
NOW FOR MEMS RIGHTS.
Harry Somers Asserts That
Women Have More Than
Their Brothers.
AND TRIES TO PROVE IT.
But Actions Speak Stronger Than
Words-A Jersey Widows
Advantages.

Howard Somers is a we'll known
New York lawyer and a good fello W.
though until a few months ago it was
thought he was a confirmed old bach
elor. L recently dined with htin. and
afterward the conversation turned on
an extension of woman's rights, Of
which, / must confess, l am a strong
advocate.
"Woman's rights!" roared MI. Som
ers, and he laid down his cigar,
pulled down his waistcoat and pulled
up his shirt collar. why sir, women
have now more rights than men, and
| still they are not satisfied, and they
will not be satisfied SO long as a man
| has a right left. | see you smile at
this, but sir, l ain right, entirely
right. And, by Jove! l often wish l
was a woman.
Here in the state of New York her
legal status is better than mine, ex-
cepting the doubtful right to vote.
Why, sir, ONE are free to marry or
make wills at an age two years earlier
than men. If she marries her prop
erty is hers, free from her husbands
control. Here earnings are her own
and if her husband does not support
her she can jerk him before a court
and keep him in jail until he has given
security to provide for her; and all
this time she need not contribute one
cent toward her husbands support,
even if she is rich and he is destitute.
A husband cannot sell real estate with
out his wife's consent, while she can
sell her own real estate without con-
sulting him.
1.-The husband cannot deprive the
wife of q life interest in one-third his
estate, while she is free to will her
property as she pleases, nor is she
required to leave him a cent of money
or a foot of land.
Further, sir, the New York hus-
band-and this is so in nearly every
State-is responsible for the wife's
misdemeanors. 1t she commits an as
sault or a trespass, the husband must
pay the bill or go to Jail. The wife
cannot be imprisoned in any civil suit,
while the husband has no such exemp-
ton, even where the wrong is of her
doing.
such being the state of affairs, sir,
l ask you if it is not time we down
trodden men got up and demanded
our rights. AS a matter of fact, the
man in this State has no rights COM
pared with a woman's."
After hearing this TRADE, the truth
of which [ could not deny, / became
more and more convinced that my
friend Somers was, if not a woman
hater, destined to continue a life of
single misery. Great, then, was my
surprise on receiving last week cards
announcing the marriage of my
friend to Mrs. Bowman, a widow lady
of whom l had heard much, and who
was reported to be beautiful and ac-
conplished.
Yesterday l met Mr.. Somers on
Broadway, looking ten years younger
and seemingly as happy as a man
well could be. l congratulated him
ON his marriage and then jokingly re-
minded him of his bitter IN ON
the unusual privileges of oine
''Oh, that's all right he said III his
CHEEKY way. 81 still stick to what |
said. I took good care not to marry a
native of New York state, where the
wife has more privileges than the hus-
band You must meet Mrs. Somers;
she's splendid woman and aforeigner,
born in a place. where the status of
man and woman is as it should be,
and / am going to live in her old
home.n3
"Where is that" l asked. quite sure
that Somers was going abroad.
"Oh," he responded, cher estate is
over in Jersey"
---
Tho Meaning of ISIupdor.