The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-01-26
Long Debate On WOmen's
Rights.
Continued from Page one.)


BY Mason. Of CASTOR For protec-
ton of livery stable. keepers. Judi
ciary.
BY Sinclair: TO refund bonds Of
Cumberland county. G. G. and I.
BY Boddie: TO authorize the Wilson
board of trustees TO issue bonds. Edu-
cation.
by Ward: TO amend section % OF
Chapter t64, Public Laws 1899. with
reference TO newspaper transportation.
The bill provides that section %
chapter 1914 of the Public Laws Of
1899 be amended by adding the fol-
lowing: After the word "emplOYeeS"
in line twenty-nine, And nothing IN
this act shall be construed to prevent
or restrict transportation companies
from contracting with newspapers for
advertising space in exchange for
transportation over their lines to such
an extent as may be agreed upon be-
tween the two parties for said consid-
|eration."
by Boyles: To establish the
Pinnacle graded school. Education.
BY Scales. TO amend CHAPTER 677 of
the Laws of 1901. preventing fire
waste. Insurance.
BY Zollicoffer: Authorizing trustees
of Henderson county to issue bonds.
Judiciary.
BY Wright: To amend Code proyid-
ing right for illeeltmate children to
nherp equally from their mother.
Judiciary.
Third Reading.
The following bills. except where
indicated otherwise passed their final
reading.
H. b. TO amend chapter 80 of the
Public Laws of 1908, a local bill en-
abling Haw River to reduce tax.
Ii. b. TO amend the charter of the
. in n +
Halifax and Warren.
Fl. Il. A resolution asking for the
reports from the various heads of all
the State institutions. the expenses of
the institutions and the salaries of the
officers.
II. b. To validate the election Of
justices of the peace in Allegheny
county.
5. i. To amend section sos of The
Code Of 1888. in relation to home-
stead.
II. E. To exempt the town of Fouu-
tain, IN Pitt county from the act pro-
hbiting the sale of liquor near GER
tain churches.
Special Order.
The chair. promptly at twelve
O'Clock, laid before the Senate the
bill of Mr. Ward, allowing married
women to make contracts.
The following is the full text of the
bill:
TO permit married women To make
Icontracts The bill allows a married
woman to contract to the same eX-
tent, with like effect. and in the same
| form as if married. and she and her
separate estate shall be liable thereon,
whether such contract relates to her
separate business or estate or other
wise and in no case shall a charge
1 haY rls 81 "a no Y.
! Provided, that this act shall not apply
| to any contract that shall be made be-
| tween husband and wife.
Mr. Ward stated that this matter
was called to his attention by reading
the Supreme Court Reports where II
had been for more than twenty-five
/ Years, and that these reports almost
suggested this bill. He said the Su-
IRENE Court Justices had themselves
| differed for quarter of q century
upon the law upon this question, and
! every man knows that q settled law is
better than one which Invites differ
ence of opinion. There is no reason,
! he said. why a married woman should
rot receive the same rights as Il single
woman and if Il single woman must
stand for her contract, why should
mot Il married woman. who is suppos-
ed TO have IL good husband, be iequir-
ell TO stand for her contracts The
| law as il Is invites the practice of
! fraud. A man may buy many thouS-
lands of dollars worth of goods in the
lname of his wife, and when
| the debtor comes to collect the money
lhe finds that the man dld
not really buy ii, but 81 woman from
| whom the law could not force money
| to pay for il, no matter how much
Iproperty she possessed. The Supreme
Court decided in a recent decision that
| d married woman may give away her
property without her husbands con-
! sent but she may not contract II away
| without her husbands written con-
| sent. This law is the relic of an an
! cient system. it has not kept pace with
| North Cardinals Constitution or pro-
| gress and this law is inherited from
our English forefathers and is a cover
for dishonesty. and is the preventative
| of progress.
Mr.. Pearson, Of Burke. stated that
lhe was absolutely opposed to the pass
age of the bill. He said the worst
! business people in the world are
| widows and If one is allowed To exc
cute on a will the result is bankruptcy,
| and the women more than the men,
need protection. He said this bin
may protect northern creditors, but
there is no demand by the people or
North Carolina for such radical
| Change in the law as this. No remedy
should be applied, he said. till tn"
wrong is acute. The bill affords no
protection, he declared. except TO the
Inon- resident creditor, but he knows
of none who is complaining. He said
| he was Turk in regard to married
couples, and the new tailor made wo-
men did not apDea! 10 him that the
| man made out Of a woman Is q TAIL
lure and he did not want that trade
| mark perpetrated on this State.
/ Mr.. Zoll;cotfer said he was as neart-
| ily in favor of the bill as Mr. Pearson
was opposed to it. and Mr.. Pearson $
remarks made him more in favor or
/ ii, as no argument had been advanced
| against it. 1t is not true, he SAID
that women are the worst business
people in the world, as in dozens of
cases he had seen widows manage adj
mirably their estates. He said If there
were any fault. the blame should be
on the man, not on the woman as men
| keep secret from their wives the bust
ness regarding their estates. ana when
| they die the poor widows have to 90
| to attorneys and friends for advice.
land the women can not be at fault
| The law should be changed, as IN