New-York tribune., 1905-07-08
LAWS FOR WOMEN.
Business League Thinks Nerc- York
Has, Worst of Any State.

The legislative committee held sway at the con-
vention OF the National Business Women's League
yesterday morning and New-York State was found
guilty OF having about the worst laws for women
in the Union.
The Inheritance laws are very curious and COM
plicated." said Mrs. Harriet NJ. ]. Wood. but al
ways favor the man. A woman may work hard all
her days, econonizing only women can econo-
mize, to build up her husbands fortune. but her
FAMILY, her parents and brothers and sisters. will
never have any benefit from IT. If the husband
dies intestate. and without direct heirs. all his
property. except the small portion that the law
a44oWs the wife. will go his family with pref
erence for his father. AS one Judge said. the OBJ
1ect OF the inheritance law is to give the property
70 the person for whom the decedent might be
supposed to have the greatest affection and of
course. man must be attached to his father
than 10 MS mother. The principle no doubt
governs the law regarding the guardianship Of
ehIofen In New-York State the father has the
preference. from which we may infer that children
are generally supposed TO have more affection for
thelr father than for their mother
women don't know these things proceeded
hts wood. until they are up against them a
YES said Mrs. Theodore Baker "it Is az
founding how little women in this country know
9pout the laws that control their property and
OI4ier ln4hgs That concern them Foreign women
are much better informed"
So il voted that the league shouI6 tala stems
20 become thoroughly posted on this subject A
session Will be devoted TO it at the next conven-
uoh and meanwhile committee of one. preferably
woman lawyer, will be appointed In each State
organized to collect data and watch the State
legislatures. with view to preventing the enact
ment Of laws adverse to women, ard taking ad-
vantage Of any opportunities TO secure favorable
legislation.
we don't want to let the have our dover
right While they give nothing in return. and
themselves retain the right of courtesy remarked
Mrs. Wood Dover you know, is a life interest
IN third of husbands real estate while cour-
Iesy IS lie interest in the whole Of wifes prop
erty.'
The only State whose laws the women entirely
approve or at present is Colorado.
Considerable time devoted at the morning
session to the question of league organ and the
future for such publication If it well man
aged;
There is tremendous field for wornens pub
locations. said Miss NJ. ]. Reynolds, and there
those that now occupy the field It is pity to
spoil good white paper with the stuff that fills
most OF them. There is also a tremendous field
Lor advertising, and as most advertising is ad-
OF money IN such magazine as the league could
The Business Women's Magazine" Of Denver
IS nkely TO be adopted as the league organ in
eventually to New York with Mrs. Alice 3. Winter
or Denver. as its advertising manager.
The convention will close this morning and five
cities are contending for the honor Of entertaining
been received from the chambers Of commerce or
commercial associations Of Los Angeles San Fran
cisco. Chicago, Detroit and Denver.
The attendance at yesterdays meetings remained
delegates reported TO be on the way having failed
to materialize-