The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-01-19
FOR THE GALLERIES
important Bill on Wo-
mems Rights, Special
Order in Senate.

M uVH ku SOEt0AOs
Next Wednesday at noon the Senate
will consider the most interesting, far
reaching and important bill that has
demanded it's attention to date at
this session of the General Assembly.
as it affects women's rights, and in
wolves a great and vital change in the
States laws.
The bill came IN in the Senate yes
terday, after having been favorably
reported by the Judiciary Committee.
and on motion of Mr.. Gillian. of
Edgecombe. the bin was made a spe-
Cha order for next Wednesday, at II
O'Clock NJ. This course, Lieutenant
Governor Winston announced, would
be pursued.
1t was suggested that this action
was taken SO as to give the ladies,
whom this bill affects directly, an OPP
portunity Of hearing it discussed, as
there will probably not be anotheE
measure at this session of the Legls-
iature so full Of interest to them.
But the Senator who moved that the
bill be deferred he'd little of the other
sentiment in him. and on being
interviewed after adjournment, SAID
In regard to the bill: Il regard THIS
bill as one OF most important, If not
the most important, to come before
this session Of the Legislature, for IT
supplies a radical change in the state
laws. / desired time for further con-
sideration of the matter, and others,
too wanted more time to reflect upon
it. The bill is a copy OF the New
York statute regarding the rights OF
married women 10 contract, ana the
same statute was cited in an opinion
of Chief Justice Clark with approval
tn hot jv,in
rather advocated it's passage,
This very measure was discussed
by the State Bar Association at its
meeting in Asheville, and the lawyers
disapproved of it, The bill was con-
sldered by the Judiciary Committee
and it recommended that it pass by
quite a large majority, although sew
eral members gave notice that they
could not support the bill and would
oppose it when it comes up in the
Senate. 1t is a big measure and be-
ing likely to have many antagonists
there will probably be q very extend
ed discussion of it next Wednesday,
when it will be considered"
Mr. Ward, of Craven introducer of
the bill was also seen, and said:
This bill is the substitute for Code
Section 1926. which is a relic of the
former system. This bill is in con-
fornity TO the Constitution of the
State, and il passed Will prevent many
frauds It meets the approval OF
some of the justices OF the supreme
Court who have carefully considered
the matter. 1T puts married women
on the same footing with unmarried
women. and enables them to make
contract and to be bound therefor.
ii does not affect the transfer Of their
real estate. which IS protected by the
Constitution.
'"rhe bill is a substantial copy of
the New York statute. and was sug-
gested by the Supreme Court in lis
North Carolina. in the case of How
ell VS.. Bank.
''The law relating to married women
at the present time is unsettled. and
no lawyer can with safety advise ms
client as TO what the law is upon this
subject If this bill is passed it will
simplify the law, and remove dith-
culties which now exist
'"rhe matter has been set for spe-
cial hearing next Wednesday at Il
O'Clock in order to give the Senators
sufficient time To investigate and con-
slider the bill, as it makes n change
in the law, and is one OF the most
important bills introduced so far"
The fun text of Mr.. Wards bill is
as follows:
a Bill to be entitled an Act TO Per-
nit Married Women to make Con-
tracts.
The General Assembly of North
Carolina do enact: Section /. A
married woman may contract to the
same extent, with like effect and in
the same form as if unmarried. and
she and her separate estate shall be
liable thereon, whether such con-
tract relates to her separate business
or estate or otherwise. and in no case
shall a charge upon her separate
estate be necessary. Provided. that
this act shall NOT apply to any con-
tract that shall be made between hus-
band and wife.
Section 9 That all laws and clauses
of laws in conflict with this act are
hereby repealed
Section 3. That this act shall be in
force from and after its ratification.