New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-21
THE CoNJUGAL PURSE
And the Attitude Of Husband and
Wife Toward II.


To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: 7 have not seen the play Her Own
Money" but have been greatly interest
ed in the discussion % the subject in last
Sundays Tribune. Il appears TO me that
most OF the instances cited by the women
who expressed their opinions were very
exceptional. 7 have lived good many
years with my eyes open 10 all that was
going on around me- and I can remem-
Der only q few husbands similar 70 the
man VINO dUled out d nickel az time 10
his wife for a spool Of thread or a ball OF
darning cotton. I did know. however,
one man who was heard 10 ask his wife
in no gentle tone-she had taken a hand
ful OF eggs 10 the store and traded them
for enough molasses 10 make gingerbread
How do you suppose I'm going 10 pay
my interest II you 60 on like this?' But
that was so far out OF the ordinary that
the poor man was laughed AZ and consid-
cred q Joke. as was another who. when his
wife mentioned her need OF funds for The
shopping she intended 10 do that day, in
quired. where is the dollar I gave you
three weeks ago2'
I am distinctly opposed 10 the attitude
that some women take toward our Amer
lean men, who are the best and most in
dulgent husbands In the world. and I am
forced 10 admit that American women are
considered among the most extravagant.
I once noticed a man and woman who
were buying furniture FOR their new home.
The husband insisted upon purchasing
some rather handsome pieces for his wife's
room. and she protested that ne could not
afford H. The salesman smiled and re-
marked that he usually tried to lind out
what the lady wanted and recommended
those articles, but that In this instance IL
would not be good business for himself
70 do so. whereupon the husband rejoined.
We'll. well cut down on something else.
then, for I know she likes these things
and she's going 70 have them" The gem
erous fellow doubtless knew that II he
placed the money in her hands she would
spend most of II for other parts OF the
house or for something in which he would
share.
on the other hand. there are women so
devoid Of Judgment in money matters
that they are UNIT to control the house
hold expenses. We have all known wom-
en-only a few, perhaps-who would spend
all they could lay hands upon for dress or
luXurles and economic on the family
food, possibly even grudging the man of
the house his after-dinner cigar on the
score Of economy. l even knew a wife OF
whom Il was said when she was in deep
grief over a death in the family: "She has
lost interest in everything; she doesn't
care whethen Jack asks for s. or s. or
SO" An exceptional case? Let US hope
so. So are the others exceptional cases.
and we must not Judge the whole by a
very small part
Miss Dean believes that some time or
other woman will be the sex triumphant
in the world" May the fates forbid! We
don't want a triumphant sex or any
thing that implies a war Of the sexes.
The triumph" OF one sex means the sub
jugation of the other-a sad state of So
ciety, indeed.
The problem Cf there is any lies in the
looseness OF household methods and finan-
cial management. DR.. Anna Shaw comes
very near the truth, I think, when she
SAYS ITS almost an individual problem"
1t would be impossible to lay down a
hard and fast rule which would work