The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-05-22

Difficulties That Lie in the Way of
Stepparents to Whose Care Are
Committed the Fortunes of Minors.
Lawyers Not Eager to Take
Charge of WOmen's Affairs.
From the New York Sun.
'It is hard enough to be guardian for
ones own child. To accept the respon-
sibility on behalf of the child of some
one else usually argues either great
magnanmity or exceeding dishonesty"
The lawyer brushed bushel of papers
aside and put his elbows in their place
on the desk
IF the guardian is honest, there is,
ordinarily nothing in it for him except
trouble; and it makes one optimistic about
human nature to see the number of per-
sons who cheerfully submit to being
condemned to hard labor, without com
pensation, just for frienrshp's sake or
human kindness. OF course, if a guar
dian wants control of minor in order
TO get his hands on the child's money,
that's another thing. There are plenty
of such cases. Then there is a third
situation in which the guardian is honest.
but poor, and is glad to get the money
which the court allows for the child's
board and maintenance.
one finds any number of cases of
That character among the poorer folks.
In fact if money is left to a child in
the tenement district there is a grand
scramble for the privileges of guardian
snip. You know, a child has a right.
after he is IA years DID, to make appli-
cation for change of guardian, and it
Is amusing to see the pressure brought
To bear in some cases in order to per-
suade the minor that he needsc another
guardian.
such incidents occur most frequently
IN connection with a step-parent who
is guardian. If a man dies and leaves
ms child in charge of a stepmother there
are often kinfolks who try to make
trouble. The word stepmother is a peg
upon which to hang charges. A saint in
mat relation is liable to Islander. The
chlld is easily prejudieed against a step
parent and a long line of uncles aunts
ana cousins will come forward to prove
Vhe stepmother incompetent. If the
woman ever whipped the child and sent
MN to bed for any fault common to
ooy Kind she is charged with cruelty.
heeping the boy on bread and water and
nogglng him within an inch of his life
Two or three times a day."
Ihen there are a great many step
parent guardianship cases in the courts"'
asked the reporter, with whom the law
yer was talking.
ven, yes; not that stepparents ordi-
Marty abuse their trusts. But, as I said,
Is easy for a minor to be prejudiced
against a uta
t'ois that in a real mother or father,
would pass unnoticed. I'm honestly sorry
LOT the stepmother or stepfather who is
4eIl guardian to a family of children with
money II is very probable that there are
sIo'ls ahead for that guardian. Some
tfhes the complaints are justihable. and
we stepparent does abuse the child or
uesleet his interests; but in my expert
'Hce such a thing is rare, and the same
parent.
II l were a stepmother or father. and
LEI .ll In charge of children with money.
want a surety company associated
WIN me. II would be bad for our bust
.,ess II everyone felt that way, but I'm
CONGRESSIONAL enough TO edmit that II
"ouid save the guardian a deal of wear
e"u tear. In that case. that the surety
1Hpahy would countersign ell checks.
.t 'S''it HScehs Win the guardian 70
we sale deposit vaults, and share all
spouslbility Of investment and manage
"ent OF the estate. That protects the
.'le, but II also protects an honest
=, Nat ulah, and it's a good arrangement
81 we estate can stand the expense
GU see there Is no law by which a
90 man OF. woman is bound 10 be in
.tEent An honest fool can make havoc
YIN an estate as thoroughly as q clever
nuaVe' Somebody said that ignorance
10y not be as damnable as humbug
that II does more damage when Il
-, Pills Now that applies 10 law ss
Ven as 10 medicine. An upright guard
'an may be an utter fool, In regard 70