New-York tribune., 1904-10-03
FOR STINGY HUSBANDS.
Aduice to Men Who Look on Their
Wires as Unpaid HireHngs.

The latest contribution on the much discussed
institution the home. is from the pen OF Margaret
Sangster Her book on The Little Kingdom
of Home" u. F. Taylor & Co. New-YorIz) ad-
vances no revolutionary theories regarding the do
mestic relations. but says a good many things that
are worth remembering. as It follows the bride
and bridegroom from the altar through their trials
with their relatves-n-law. the selection and fur
nishing Of their home. their adjustment of their
characters TO each other. the coming OF children.
etc. IL steers a middle course on the race suicide
and domestic service problems. advocates a uni
form divorce law. and while pointing out serious
dangers that threaten the time houored institution
under discussion. detects elements OF hore in the
situation.
one chapter. entitled Bricks Without Straw
deals with the financial policy OF the home and
the wfes right TO share OF the income.
'Despotism never had Il more extreme ulustra-
tion nor was cruelty ever more refined" says Mrs.
Sangster than when the ancient Egyptians tn
sisted that their workmeu should do unpaid piece
work, but refused supply them with materials
for the job. Yet in thousands and tens OF thou
sands ~ modern homes a similar injustice Is per
petrated. not on slaves but loved ones it is
new every morning and fresh every evening
Adoring husbands DO not hesitate TO iuhict upon
their beloved wives a needless humiliation amount
ing In the experience OF superseus.tiye women 10
suffering which is almost torture. The woman
does not live who enjoys asking her husband for
money and rendering 10 him an account az the
way IN WGlcn sue spends what he gives her
whether he pour II generously her lap or dole
II grudgiugy from his pocket openly wondering
why her purse Is often empty and openly dis
cussing her economy or her lack OF the same
Men seldom suspect how deeply iugrained in
women's souls Is the aversion 10 being simply
licensed mendicants. II they did they would in
the language OF Scripture, abhor themselves ana
repent. II not In dust and ashes least N rlch
wise that an entire change of conditions wsuld
speedily ensue. A good man means 20 be Just II
BOT magnaHimous. There l. no reason why in the
family arm. the husband should claim ami main
tain the sole right TO dlsburse the family income
While the wife is tolerated pensioner on his
bounty.
only those who have studied the subject and
observed it, application IN many homes. from
tha OF the millionaire 10 that OF the poorest labor
er. know how necessary "a reform ~ this one
domestic finance wrecks home happiness Women
I'VE IN palaces wear ricn Tameut and fare sumptu-
ously. yet seldom have any ready money the
least liberty to spend or give away invest a
dollar of their own, being treated all their lives
AZ II they We're irresponsible children. In the
event OF the death OF the husband or father. such
women are often at the mercy OF INSCRIPTIONS ad-
yisers, who ind them an easy prey because ~
their ineNpeTlenCe.
IT is not unheard Of thing for the wife or d
Tch man, permitted 10 have running accounts at
stores and accumulate bills which her husband
examines and pays. 10 lack small change for car
fares and tips 10 the drivers OF cabs and hunsoms
In reality. the women most favOrabiy situated for
their own ease and cout~utment the wives OF
10 whom the weeks wages are regularly brought.
minus the small the keeps for his own
purposes. The custom OF this class IS based Il
larger justice than the other custom, which makes
the husband the uudisputcd lord OF the cNChequer
A wife is a partner In business. not unpaid
hireling"