New-York tribune., 1905-08-10
DESERTED WIVES.
Drink and Relatives DriUe Husbands
Apay-To Legitimise Children.

"A law 70 legitimize ilegitimate children;
that is what is needed and that is what am
going 20 draw up a hill for"
The speaker was Rudolph Confeld Magis-
,rste Pools probation officer. His remark was
caused by the crowd OF women thronging the
space inside the rail at the West Side police
court. About one hundred OF them were present.
seeking warrants 10 arrest husbands who had
deserted or refused TO support them.
There is no unusual amount Of desertion Just
at this tine. It merely happened that Magls-
trate Pool. at the West Side police court gave
IN order that other business should be set aside
for the time being. and all the women permitted
to come forward and tell their tales Of woe
"A large number OF these cases" said Mr..
Confeld. are among men who have been COM
PEELED 20 marry their wives. There is no affec-
ton between the two they fight and quarrel
and live unhappily together and sooner or later
he deserts her Desertlon is the poor mans
divorce He simply quits.
And fully one-third OF the women who COM
pei men 10 marry them care nothing whatever
about the men. nor DO they expect support for
themselves. In fully one-third Of such cases the
women are thoroughly disillusicned. and regard
the men they marry with more or less active
dislike. They wish 10 marry them solely for
the sake OF the child; 10 make it legitimate and
secure its support.
SOCIETY SHOULD PROTECT CHILDREN
Now. this is something that is right and Just
and that society should secure under any cir
cumstances- II has no business TO let any child
start in life with stigma set upon it The
child should have a fair start in life. so far as
law and custom can give II. Also it is fair
that both parents should contribute TO the sup
port OF the child. Il is not fair that its entire
support should be thrown upon the mother.
But why. in order to protect the child and in
sure its support. has society got 10 compel two
persons who have neither respect nor affection
for each other 20 marry? The home life OF
such a couple is not likely 10 be a centre of
sweetness and light, or TO furnish healthy
atmosphere for rearing the child and the chill
cren that may come afterward are not likely
10 be very desirable additions to society Then
come oesertions and arrests and court proceed
ings and prison. perhaps. II is all a travesty OF
marriage a forced marriage is no marriage az
all.
Why can't society perform its obvious duty
Of protecting the child in some less cumbrous
and more direct manner? Why can't we have
z law under which, with certain restrictions the
father can legitimize his child and provide for
IT'S SUPPORT
AS for these cases"-BIr Confield swept his
hand toward the motley assemblage Of women,
with and without babies in their arms.
clustered around the judges bench-"deser-
ton OF wives is increasing in New-York City
faster than the population. Why? Cost Of liv-
ing. for one thing. The cost of living has in
creased very much IN New-York in the last four
years. even in the last two years, and wages
have not kept up with il. The number of deser-
ton cases is directly affected by II. Men find
they can't support their families, and they
simply skip out and leave them 10 charity. Nom
employment? That doesn't figure much in these
cases. 7 never knew z woman unTea sonable
enough 10 have her husband arrested for non
support If he was out OF job She seeks the
charity bureaus in such cases. Drink and the
Interference of relatives are. perhaps the most
potent direct causes Of the husbands desertion.
He throws away his money in drink his wife
rows with him about il, and he deserts her.
the wife is pretty sure 70 feel that they're get
ting what she ought 10 have. And. vice versa, II
the husband has TO support any of her relatives.
he's apt 70 kick. Relatives Of one side or the
other living in the family the cause of break
ing Up a very large number OF families.
think, perhaps, the most dangerous Of ell rela-
tIves 10 have in e family is the husband s
mother. She Is very apt TO try 10 interfere in
the household affairs. and If the husband takes
her part against his wife there is bound 70 be
trouble. Then. again, the most insidious thing.
and the one that underlies many Of the other
causes, is lack Of character. The temptations Of
life Il New York City are many. the men want
70 indulge in them and they simply throw of
the restraints and responsibilities Of married life
II order 10 do
The greatest number Of desertion cases are
handled IN the West Side and Essex courts /;
that is on the lower East Side and the upper
West Side Up here all nationalities and all
occupations figure. There is just one occupation
that never had on my list that of musician,
Eoothe the savage breast don't know but II is