New-York tribune., 1901-01-04
LAWS OF INHERITANCE.
RIGHTS OF WOMEN DISCUSSED BY MRS
TROW AT THE MEETING OF THE
LEGISLATIVE LEAGUE

Inheritance Rights Of Women was the subject
Of talk given yesterday by Mrs Cora Wells Trow
before the New-York City Legislative League. at
the Tuxedo. Mrs rrow said that the laws in New
York relating property OF persons dying intestate
are unjust TO both men and women. although in
some cases they are decidedly more unfair TO men.
When woman dies without having made a will
and leaves children her real estate goes to her
next Of kin, entirely excluding her husband II
she leaves a child, her husband has right of ten
ancy in such real estate until the child reaches it's
majority. This is often most unfair said Mrs
TroWs "as in the cases where the real estate has
been given By the husband to his wife Not in
frequently property acquired by her through such
Pfr has been wholly lost by the husband reverting
10 the wifes sister brother because of her dying
without a will
The wife. however, has an inalienable right OF
dover amounting to one-tfird OF the h1Isba nd's
real estate. In the case OF personal property the
husband inherits all IL there are no children and
one-half when there are while the law that fixes
wifes share OF her husbands personal property is
absurdly old and inadequate"
Mrs. Trow then read the provision of EIaclstoDa
that is still on the statute books is Curl
ons tumble Of spinning wheels, sheep pigs plates,
cups and saucers. and on taking the imagina-
tion back century least. One clause provides
that the wife shall have Of her own wardrobe
which is regarded her husbands property
clothing and ornaments suited to her station I'm
life"
Men have curious Ieniency toward women in
the matter OF hnery." said Mrs. Trow ''and will
grant claim for that where they would disaIIow
one for real necessity. In a recent case an ex-
ecutor objected to widows purchase Of two dozen
silk petticoats but the judge decided that they
were necessary part Of her wardrobe
The most important part Of Mrs. Trow's talk re-
ferred TO the laws regarding a widows rights in
her husbands business. Right and just legisla-
zion is needed by men much as by women in this
matter" the speaker said by the law now in
force a has voice in the settlement Of
her husbands affairs where there is a partner
Everything is the surviving partner. and the
wife Is compelled to accept his accounting. which
may be honest or not. There is probably not one
here who does not know of NJ least one case in
which has died leaving large business
want owing TO his partners juggling Of papers II
s!i depends on the partner ~hetntr me Wio9w IF I
remove the possibility "f such temptation to dis
The points emphasized in recapitula ton were that
husband and wife should have equal rights OF In.
heritance. End that the widow next Of kin should
have voice in the settlement Of the business
partnership One point brought cut oy qqestlons a
Tiage of minor does not change her legal status
such signature not being binding until she is
twenty-ore Another that wife who has
property is not compelled 10 support her husband;
unless he is IAN incapable member Of her family.
or he prove that she agreed before marriage
But perhaps the most startling bit Of Information
sfeited was that man must support ms sd
c0pments, but Mrs. Trow assured the increduious
mat such Is the law OF AeW-5 Osh
Another point brought out that widow
has no dover right in a building erected or bought
For business purposes. II. as member or a
firm. her husband had spent 100000 on ~ IL.
however. the building bought first as residence
property and afterWard converted into a Dusihess
house her dover rights remain.
u was decided 20 make effort 10 procure legis-
lation 10 remedy defects and injustice. and com
mIffee wae appointed to prepare "A Dill ana take
measures 10 secure its introduction at the present
session OF the Assembly. The committee consists
q Mrs TrOw. chairman; Mrs siias Alden 'o"-
Dict and Mrs A. W. Hadley. .,
ZabriFkia president OF the State Federation ask
!rg the support OF the clubs for the movement TO
visions N was suggested that the Pascal IN
stitute which Is a private institution OF s slinlIf
character should be made a nucleus for beginning
but the suggestion did not meet general approval
u was resolved 20 assure Mrs Zabrtskie, OF me
Leagues co-oIerstfion and urge the appointment
Of a practical worker IN industrial schools on the
Committee