The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-19

The Only Country in Which Their
Privileges Are Being CurtaiIed.
q. Curtis, in Chicago Record.

w. 10. Curtis, in Chicago Record
Germany is the only country in the world
which Is taking backward steps in regard
to the rights and privileges of women. The
old law, which made the wife the serf of
the husband and obliterated her individual
ity in oil legal matters has not only been
recently reaffirmed, but her rights, priv
1leges and immunities have been squeezed
into an even smaller compass than before
For several years commission, composed
OF the abest jurists in Germany-members
OF the judiciary, the faculties of the uni
versities and prominent lights at the bar
has been engaged in the unifcatiOn and
codifcation of the laws of the thirty-one
kingdoms, duchies and principalitieS that
make up the German empire, to secure uni
formfty and common code of practice
everywhere Throughout the empire. The new
code is completed and goes into effect two
years hence.
When the action of the commission re-
garding the laws that concern women was
made known q petition signed by sixty
thousand mothers and wives of the best
citizens of Germany was presented to the
Reichstag protesting against the discrim-
ination against them, and demanding the
same rights, privileges and liberties and the
same justice that is accorded to the women
of England and France. They asserted
that 1t was an insult to the German race
for the government to assume that its wom-
en- We're inferior to those of other nations,
and compared the new laws of Germany
with those of other civilized countries to
show the extent of the injustice imposed up
on them. No attention was paid to the petit
ton, except indirect condemnation: so a
congress was brought together composed of
hundreds of the best women Of the empire,
who made a second appeal for greater con-
sideration In property rights and privileges,
protection In labor and encouragement in
science. literature and the arts. This was
very offensive to the Emperor He was
particularly angry at the comparison made
between the women of Germany and
France. and said many savage things CON-
corning those who were engaged in the
movement.
In Germany to-day no woman can control
property; she cannot even control her own
actions; whatever of value she has ac-
quired in any way belongs to her father,
her husband or her son, and the law re-
Guires her to obey their orders. Japan Is
the only country on earth that pretends to
be civilized where the rights of women are
so restricted When a woman marries all
her property passes into the ownership of
her husband forever. He has the legal right
to use or dispose of it in any manner he
chooses regardless of her wishes or pro-
tests If they are divorced the property re-
marriage vow she forfeits independence
and confers upon him absolute jurisdiction
over her mind, body and estate. He can
compel her to work or do anything else that
is lawful for women to do, and she has no
relief or protection except in pu1ef4r opinion.
Some Of the American heiresses who have
married German barons have learned of
this law to their sorrow, and others who
may have an opportunity to assist in sup
porting the German army and restoring an
cestral estates should look into the matter
very carefully before they appoint the we'd
ding day.