The age-herald., 1898-02-27
ECHTINGS FROM
 CURRENT TOPICS

According to eminent lawyers, who have examined the new code, the present laws of Alabama are very favorable to women, and their rights. The local status of women is clearly defined and it is thought to be satisfactory by men of advanced views. and those who continue to hold to the conservatism of the past.
 A woman can now be a notary public sec. 1922; she can be register in chancery. sec. 653, and she is almost entierly free to make contracts now with respect to her own property. There are two exceptions to Stis latter statement: woman cannot be security for her husband, nor can she convey real estate without her husbands consent. In other respects regarding her own property, she is almost as free and untrammeled as a man.
 To many women, especially in the south, who have been reduced to poverty and want through the extravaganza and mis- management of husbands, this code will seem to have come too late.
 But it will enable other women to pro- vide against need, and suffering with its generous enactments in behalf of the wives and daughters of Alabama.
 
 In return for the generous laws made for the women of Alabama, there should be no hesitancy their part in throwing the weight of their influence in favor of a better free school system, and an educa- tional test of political franchise for the state.
 The battle for broader educational pro- vision for the children of Alabama begins to wax warm and the pettiness of political factions is entering into the contest. This demand for the best educational facilities for the children of the state can in no sense be termed political measure; 1t is a question which should appeal alike to partisans of every faith, be they demo. cratic, republican or mugwump.
 No man, no set of men, neither any mans political principles or theories are to be furthered and advanced by the ef fort being made to educate the children of Alabama This demand for better free schools is the surest indication Alabama has yet had that a brighter future awaits her.
 There can be no permanent advance ment where illiteracy holds such high car nival as in many parts of this state. and it is strictly within the province of the most conservative woman to assist in forming a public opinion which shall de- mand immediately more and better free schools.
 The position taken by Booker T. w ,sh- ington, before the constitutional conyen- tion of Louisiana, is one that comments itself to every patriot. He urged the edu- cational test of suffrage, applied to all classes, and the opening of the school houses to the children. There can be no greater incentive to education than the limiting of the rights of the ballot to men who can read and write. No man should represent his county in the legislature who is unwilling to commit himself upon the school system to be adopted in the future for Alabama children.
 If a man is indifferent to the needs of the boys and girls of his state, upon whom will soon devolve the duties of citizenship, such man should not be honored with any official position, certainly not that which involves the responsibility of law. making.
 The constitutional convention is coming closer and closer to the people. The date :. of it's sessions, no man can yet tell, but 1t is already certainty, and an enlighten- ed, progressive public opinion is begin ming to demand it. When 1t does overtake the people the minds of the voters should have been prepared for it's great work Alabama will have in the near future a constitutional convention, and when she does she will be satisfied with nothing less than an educational limit to political suf- frage.
 distinguished but factious barrlster