The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1910-05-27
MAN-MADE LAWS ARRAIGNED.

At the meeting of the Equal Suf-
frage club held at Rapid City, Mrs.
]. II. Johnson, president of the state
Equal Suffrage association, address
ed the women of the club. together
with number of women not ident;-
fled with the movement in a very
pleasant manner. Her talk was con-
else, and to the point, every argu
ment being backed by proof. She
confined her remarks to the diScu us
sion of the laws in this state which
are unjust and unfair to women,
which would not be the case had
women some voice in making them.
She urged her hearers to realize that
they too, might at some time, find it
necessary to take their places in a
court before Judge who was a man,
a jury composed of men, and try to
gain justice, in the face of laws. COM!
posed by men for the benefit of men.
She quoted the following laws, to
had come under her own particular
mott e, as examples of the injustice.
What are the laws that specially
concern and interest mothers? First,
those that have to do with the guard
ianship and control of children. Sec
ond, those that effect the economic
conditions of women. The guardian
ship and control of children really
come nearest the hearts of mothers.
guardian of the child. Civil code
compiled laws, state of South Dako-
ia, 1908 edition, page IA, section
Ill: The father of the legitimate
unmarried minor child is entitled to
it's custody, service and earnings;
but he cannot transfer such costody,
service or earnings to any other per-
son, except the mother, without her
written consent unless she has de-
him by agreement. If the father be
dead, or be unable or refuse to take
| the custody, or has abandoned his
family. the mother is entitled there
to-"
While the statute inflicts no injuS-
tice on the happily married wife and
mother, many women learn to their
sorrow that they are not joint guar
dians with their husbands over their
children; but the latter shield the
imperfections of their married life
and endure unreasonable husbands
for the sake of their children, SO
their cases are not recorded in court
The devoted mother will suffer al
most anything rather than have any
disSention in the family or any dis
credit cast upon the family name
In spite of the fairness we credit
our courts and judges with the fol
lowing section might cause injustice
to mothers: Section 149, p. (2)
page IS, civil code, 1908 edition
LAS between parents adversely claim
ing the custody Of guardianship, nei
Their parent is entitled to it as O.
right, but other things being equal
if the child be of tender years, I
should be given to the mother; if j
be an age to to require educatio,
and preparation for labor or bust
ness, then to the father
Who is nearer to the child thai
the mother? Still we read unde
the laws of succession on page 1913
section 1904, (2), civil code, 800
edition: eff the decedent leave no is
sue the estate goes in equal share
to the surviving husband or wife, an
to the decedent's father. If there b
no father, then one-half goes Il
equal shares to the brothers and sis
tiers of the decedent. and to the chill
dren of any deceased brother or sis
ter, by right of representation, i
he leave mother also, she take
an equal share with the brothers an
sisters. If decedent have no issue
nor husband. no wife, the estate mus
go to the father"