The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-07-16
A Plea for Wives.
From the Louisyille conrler.JournaI.

When domestic unhappiness exists in
family it generally happens that the case
may be traced to money matters and to the
unequal division of the common funds.
Probably eight women out of ten who are
married and have no other visible means
of support than husband are dependent
upon that husbands generosity for every
five cents they have to spend. The idea
of husband being generous to his wife is
quite as absurd as it would be for any other
business partner to be generous to his asso-
ciate. A widower with house full of
children has to pay good round sum to
some housekeeper for attending to the same
duties his wife performed for her board,
lodging and clothes. He does not grum-
Bile when the housekeeper comes for her
salary, nor asks her what she did with all
that money he gave her last month, nor
inquire in an aggrieved tone of voice if $50
won't do instead of $40. No, she has
earned her money, he respects her right to
it, and he pays her like man. When his
wife was housekeeper he paid her like
husband. 1t is true he gave liberal credits
at dry goods. shops, milliners and dress
makers. These privileges constituted his
ideas of feminine bliss. What need had
she of money? Such a thing as giving
her, or rather of sharing with her, portion
of the product of his labors as one of the
domestic firm never occurred to him. He
was quite willing to trust her to keep the
honor of his home and name; to raise chill
dren; but doubt as to her business inca
pacity never crossed his mind That she
would foolishly waste money if she could
get hold of it was his fOregone conclusion,
although for years she had managed his
home with unexampled economy, which
he is now able to appreciate since she is
dead
1t is not an uncommon thing for woman
to have to worry her husband for ten cents
for car fare 10 take her to church. When
you see "A woman carry her "pocket money"
dime or so, tucked in the palm of her glove,
you may conclude that she has husband
of this description. For proud. spirited,
naturally Independent woman to have to
beg, bargain and haggle for few dollars
from her husband is one of the most de-
grading misfortunes that can befall her.
1t is true some women do not mind beg
ging for money or the having to explain in
elaborate detail the why and wherefore Of
the demand; and other women look at the
partnership business 10 still broader view,
and do not hesitate to apply for that which
is so manifestly their due; but opposed to
these there is large majority of wives to
whom it is an eternal modification to ask
day after day, year after year, for money
from their own husbands.
A friend of mine who has been married
forty years has to hurry every morning
after her husband as he leaves the dining
room to try and get from him money fol
the dinners marketing. This has been
going on during all those years, and if by
any chance she should fail to run after him
he would quietly run off down town and
not leave a cent. 1t often takes the great.
est tact, courage, patience and gentlenes:
to coax from him sufficient money to buy
for herself or her children the clothing
demanded by the customs of decency and
civilization. 1t is not possible that woman
however forgiving, can feel altogether un
resentful toward such a man. Down il
her lonely heart of hearts she feels tht
indignity put upon her. 1t is all very wei
to argue that if woman has credit at thu
stores-and can buy clothes, shoes, hats
wraps-she has no need for money Thos,
who argue this should just try dose o
such treatment themselves Why need
body live if once in a while they may no
have the innocent pleasure of indulging ii
a book or magazine, bit of chinaware,
useless odd or end that will wear its vel
come out maybe, but that is so temptin.
to buy. A man may be miser, but h
doesn't feel the need of it because he ha
in his pocket money which he can just tax
out and spend for cigars, an orange, lunch
soda water or the papers. He is not hk
the woman, if she wants to spend fift
cents on herself, has to run to her husban,
: and ask him as a great favor and piece o
! generosity to give her the pitiful sum.
A The young wife who has the courage t
demand at the beginning of her marrie
life, a weekly or monthly allowance
E shall be proportionate to her husband
; income, may be saving herself from a life
time of misery. Any woman who submit
to the charity systematic board, lodgin
and clothing plans as much to be blame'
as she is to be pitied.