The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-03-14

There is a cloak of sentiment that is
made to cover ugly facts in the objection.
frequently made by husbands, to ar
rangements whereby a wife may have
her own parse have heard more than
one husband say: Il don't believe in an
allowance; I like my wife to come to me
when she wants money. What is mine
is hersi We are oner' That sounds very
sweet and pretty. But I am much in
clined to believe the sentiment would
lose its flavor if an arrangement should
be entered into whereby all moneys were
transferred and the husband became the
petitioner. particularly if through hold
ing the finances the wife should evolve a
consciousness Of better judgment in ex-
penditure and always inquired into the
why and wherefore Of masculine require
ments. Power unrestricted invites ty-
ranny and develops egOtism. Sentiment
is an insufficient barrier to these evils.
The absolute bondage. possible through
financial dependence. is a factor in every
phase Of life. Character requires a meas
IRE of freedom in expression, or a
warped and stunted human growth is the
result. Deception follows close on the
humiliation of dependence. Thus the
question of a purse becomes a moral
issue. 1t is not the woman personality
alone that is concerned in the case of the
homemaker and bearer of children. One
may make terms with conditions by de-
nying themselves everything, but even
that cannot stifle the feeling Of indigna-
tion over injustice in the heart and fam
lily needs appeal to the mother heart
with force that incites to rebellion
\ gain TEa 10 ,,e
self-sacritice. that the result may go to
express IN helpfulneSs the masters work
Is enslaved. The intense annoyance suf-
fered in silence by many mother
through the humiliation Of this depend
ence has brought children into the world
Branded with a greed resulting in Grim
jnal tendencies. Medical records trace
kleptomania 10 such origin in many
cases.
The unity Of the interests i'm the
makers of home is better conserved if
1hey reason together from an equal
standpoint, each having their share of
that necessity of money, for the admin
'stration. There is no greater educator
and incentive TO economy than a definite
limit within which they must make their
calculation, and upon which they can
depend 4 certain prc portion of the
1amliy income should be placed in the
hands of the wife After calculations
OF expenses are allowed the remainder
should be equally divided, as are the
prouts of equal partners in any business
enterprise. ] predict at the expiration
or period Of five years the wife would.
in nine cases out of ten. have more in
vested as a capital for rainy day than
the head of the house. Women will
cneerfully economic if they can see re-
suits. a little handbook. showing
steady increase in accumulation. will
give every dollar a double Importance
and make economy enjoyable Women
are not ashamed Of small savings.
man needs wait for 800 TO start a saw
lnss account; woman is glad to de-
post SO On this straightforward ar
rangement there is safeguard against
the most dangerous element in domestic
life, often tending to serious diScOrd.
With fluttering heart, a sense Of self
abasement, woman asks for a little
money The man who Clings to the
sentiment Of oneness in argument is
often fOrgetful of its vital truth. if the
request comes at an inopportune mo-
lnent. and denies the request without
sufficient explanation of the reasons COM
polling the refusal The wife i'm ignOr-
ance OF facts attributes the restriction
that is so bitter because she had 10
petitiOn--tO a lack Of confidence or gener-
csity, and unity is broken. Hard and
bitter thoughts fill her heart, where ONLY
sweet patience and Loving helpfulness
would reign if. as equal. she understood
The situation. Aye. for the harasSed hus-
band help might be at hand if the wife
had been intrusted with purse Of her
own in preceding good times-AIinne-
apOlis Housekeepcr.