The Saint Paul globe., 1905-03-25
MAY SLAP BACK,
SAYS THE JUDGE
Decision Which Is important
to All Wives Has Recently
Been Made Somewhere

If there is system of jiujitsu for
women by all means let them take
lessons, for, be it known by these pres
ents, just judge somewhere has de-
clded that women can slap back when
abused by their husbands. This was
quietly done, and some persons might
read the item and not realize what an
epoch making decision it is. For CEN
turies the sacred right of talking back
mas belonged to woman, but to slap
back is something new and worthy Of
an age that is woman's own.
Often have we known of wives who
were beaten by their husbands and
were without defense save what some
one called concealed weapon'-the
tongue. 1t must be confessed, how
ever, that in many instances the
tongue lashlng received by the stren-
uouS gentleman who undertakes to ad-
minister corporal punishment to his
VIE was sufficient to render him hors
de combat. However, if a man knew
that his wife was active with her
nStS and that there was no moral or
legal reason why she should not slap
back the effect would undoubtedly be
restraining. With the decision of the
judge in question it cannot be denied
that the world has taken step on
ward.
There are of course obstacles in the
way of teaching women the-now-
ladylike art of self-defense. Those
women who are well placed in life and
have plenty of money for accomplish
ments, like the languages, music and
fencing, will be able to take up jiu-
Jitsu and become proficient with their
lists. What of the women who are not
able TO learn-that is, who have not
the means to take lessons? The only
thing can think of is for some good
and rich-woman to start a fund to be
ba -.
Jiujitsu. For IT is in the slum dis
triCts that wife beaters are found in
large numbers, and 1t is their wives
who must be taught to box.
Talking back has always been
comfort, but slapping back must be a
joy.
If John rises in the morning with
an ugly twist in his disposition, blood
In his eye and general belligerency in
his manner, 1t might be most salutary
Tor him to see Maria putting in few
1ltsu motions early to keep her in
training. Is 1T likely that he will try
TO land an uppercut on faithful
spouse who can cut back? Nay, nay.
The moral effect of learning to box
during the first years of matrimony is
great. Indeed the girl who has taken
boxing lessons and let's it be known
among her masculine friends, will be
wise. A man who Is a wife beater at
terror may be, will think twice before
he lays his hand and heart at the feet
of an expert boxer.
The judge who made the record
breaking decision said that a woman
had the right to defend herself when
attacked, even when the attacker is
her loving husband. That judge ought
to be made president; indeed he can
have any office within the gift of the
people II women have anything to say
And we all know they have a good
deal TO say about elections. even
though as yet they do not vote They
DO not walk into the ballot box" as
some woman said, and place their
votes, but it may be safely stated that
a single woman often controls more
than one vote. If the Judge wants
anything, let him ask for it, Let us
cheer up, my sisters, for when such
men as the judge are still on earth
thinss are not as dark as they might
be.