Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1902-04-19
woMAN's RIGHTS IN CHINA.
IL Sho Has Any This Authority Has
Eaited 70 Discover Them.

Boston Evening. Transcript: In his sixth
lecture before the Lowell institute, given
last evening, tiEs Hon. Chester Holcombe
spoke Of the social life in China, and the
unfortunate influence the literary people
work over the affairs of the nation. The
common people believe, he said, that a
mule has a soul, but hat n woman has
never possessed one. 1t matters little, and
cannot be determined, whether this theory
t. the cause or the result of their treat
ment. of the female half Of the race. The
Chinese statutes require that when a CON
tract of marriage Is being arranged the
parents shall furnish proof that their son
and daughter are neither diseased, de-
/ formed, nor under or over age. And yet,
az a result of their discrimination they
are compelled TO marry their sons 70 duh,
stupid, uneduCated dolts.
IF these statements appear extreme TO
any," explained the speaker, the answer
is that those who have lived only in lands
wher women have had equal culture,
equal treatment and equal freedom with
the men; where they are companions anu
not serfs, and where, as a result, they
have proved their equality I'm many direc-
tlons, and their superiority in many 9TH
; crs-those who nave lived only in sucn
lands can have no just idea of the results
Of the Chinese system"
The division of sexes constitutes the
most conspicuous and essential marx OF
heathenism which is TO be found upon the
Chinese nation. 1t forms an absolute anu
unlimited partition of the empire into tWo
great classes, and robs each of those ad-
vantages and help which the other Is prl-
marily intended to supply. 1t d]eprives
the race of fully ore-half of the spirit
incentive and stimulus which result III
progress and development.
1t stunts the men, retards their intel
lectual growth, adds stupidity as a factor
In their mental organization, and robs
them of all aptitude or capacity for any
other than merely physical growth. Ihe
extent TO which this rule OF division Is en-
forced Is simply astonishing. IL f~aihiiies
of the better sort the male and female
members are strictly kept apart. The
different sexes must each have different
servants. Even brothers and sisters are
not allowed TO associate after the boys
begin their studies, which is usually At
the age of 5 years.
Mixed social gatherings are not only un-
known, but they are regarded with alb
horrence, and as proof OF barbarism ana
moral degeneracy In all countries Which
permit them. Among the higher classes
husbands never appear with their wives
in the street or in any public place. Those
of the working people seldom do, and
upon such rare occasions the man inVar-
iably walks behind his wife, in order 10
watch her conduct and see that she be-
HAYES in q proper manner. Men are re-
quired by the statutes to mourn three
years for the death of a father and 100
LAYS for the loss of a mother. But n
husband who should mourn or exhibit any
signs of grief at the death of his wife
would in doing so disgrace himself in the
eyes of his ac%luaintances and would be
expelled from decent society. lie would
be fortunate If he did not come under the
penalties of that general provision for OF
fences mot otherwise provided for" un-
doubtedly many Chinese husbands be-
come devotedly attached to their wives
after ma~rriage-they AVE no opportunity
before that interesting event-but 1t is a
breach OF propriety and good morals 10
manifest any feeling of that nature I'M
der any circumstances.
Tt is exceedingly indecorous for two In
innate friends, when engaged in conversa-
ton, to mention the mere existence OF q
female relative of either. Men who have
grown gray together under relations OF
the greatest intimacy will inquire about
and discuss the qualities of the male mem
bers of the family of each, but they may
never mention the female members, IL II
were only to inquire after n little CIR
S or 8 years old. That common question,
'.How Is your wife," becomes, when
translated into Chinese and made use OF
In that empire, a gross and objectionable
insult, even between close friends. China
men never mention, address or appear to
see any member OF the other sex, except
ing such as are within their own house
holds And in order TO avoid the embar'
of chance or casual meetings,
I every Chinese gentlemen must simulate
a cough when he approaches the entrance
TO the residence OF a friend, I'm order that
the female inmates Of the establishment
may bs given full opportunity TO disap
pear.