The evening times., 1896-04-07
DISTRICT II CONGRESS
Bill introduced Extending the
Rights of Married Women.
SHE CAN HOLD PROPERLY
Also Hns the Same Right as u Man
to Bargain and Sell Re,rI Estnte.
Assistance for Aged Negroes
nients to Bear Interest-Political
disabilities Of Col. Thomas Wood.

Mr.. Reyburn has introduced in tie House
u bill to amend the District laws as to
women and to make parents the natural
guardians of their minor children.
1t provides that all real and personal
property, obtained from whatever source
belonging TO a woman at the time of her
marriage, shall remain her separate prop
erty and not be subject to the disposal of
her husband or liable for his debts.
A married woman Is given the same
right as II man to bargain, sell and convey
her real and personal property. She may
sue and he sued in the same manner as If
she were unmarried. She may carry on
any trade, business, profession, occnpa-
ton or labor, and her earnings shall be
her sole and separate property.
Onc-third In value OF all personal Drop
erty and real estate of either the husband
or wife becomes at death the property in
fec simple of the survivor. Estates of
dover and by courtesy are abolished. The
husband shall not lie liable for 'he pay
ment of his wife's ante-nuptial debts.
III either the father or mother dies, tie
natural guardianship of the minor chill
dren heyoiyes upon the surviving parent.
ASSISTANCE FOR AGED NEGROES.
Mr.. Burrell has introduced in the House a
bill to aid the colored people Of the South.
providing that all money and accounts held
by the United States government de rived
from the crops of cotton, tOha Geo and other
produce which were captured during the
late civil war he appropriated for m" Iur-
pose"faiding the "a gcd andintirm, those who
were slaves and to aid in the education of
the youth, including industrial and primary
schools in the poor school districts .hr pugh-
out the South.
Mr.. PuEh introduced bill, S. 2T4s,
providing that all Judgments In civil
CAUSES in the District of Columbia stall
bear interest. II Is the same measure in
troducc1 by Mr.. Wilson OF South Carolina
in the Hous,, on March 12 and referred to
the House District Committee, except that
Mr. Pugh has inserted two clauses which
change th. rate of per cent allowed
against private debtors to 4 per cent
when the debt is against the District gov
erumcut.
In this form il is recommended by the
Commissioners that tue bill should pass.
1t was referred 10 the District Comm ittee.
OLD RULE CHANGED.
The Recommendation of the Cummi sion
ors is based upon an opinion of Attorney
for the District Thomas of March 81. In
a previous letter he says judgments ON con-
tracts already bear per cent interest
from the time of verdict unless The jury
specially state otherwise. This is not
changed. But verdicts, ex delictO, do not
now hear interest. Under the bill. if It be-
comes a law. interest will run from the
time of the verdict. This changes the
rule established by the United States Su-
prcmc Court.
Mr.. Daniel introduced a bill, S. 21I6. to
relieve Col. John Thomas Wood or this
city of political disabilities. 1t was re-
ferrcd to the Committee on the judiciary.
The disabilities involved arise under the
third section of the fourteenth amendment
to the ConStitut lou.
Mr.. Daniel also int reduced q bill To es-
tablish j term ui the federal. district and
circuit courts at Roanoke. Va. II is To be
gin ON the Tuesday after the second Monday
in February and August. and the counties
Of Roanoke. Botetourt, Giles, Craig, Frank
lin Montgomery, Floyd, Pulaski. Tazewell,
Bland and Carroll and the city of Roanoke
are to bc attached To this division OF the
Western District of Virginia.