Middletown transcript., 1915-03-13
WOMEN MUST GIVE UP MUCE


A strong ti-Suffragisto OF New York
has sent this paper the following which
sets forth some reasons why woman is
favored under the present law whereby
man alone has the right of suffrage:
The suffragists' contention that imam
made laws deprive them of rights"
which they can only obtain through the
ballot is not born out by facts, accord
ing to Everett P. Wheeler and Henry
W. Hayden, lawyers of this city, who
yesterday analysed the laws of the State
to show that New York women have,
in reality, more to lose than gain in at
tanning true political equality. Neither
Mr., Wheeler nor Mr.. Hayden was able
to put his finger on single law which
Disseminated against women.
Both on the other hand, cited, numer-
GUS instances where the ''man-made"
laws confer upon women exemtions and
privileges not enjoyed by men. Briefly
women is favored under the law in
the following ways: She is exempt
from military service; she is exempt
from jury duty; a married women is
not obliged to contribute toward the
support of the family; she may work
and earn money and do with it as she
pleases.
She may own real and personal prop
erty, and may sells or dispose of it as
she pleases without her husbands con-
sent. The husband cannot dispose of
his real estate without his wife's con-
sent. She is not obliged to pay her
husbands bill. even though they are
for family expenses. The husband
must pay her bills. If, through his
fault, she obtains a divorce, the hus-
band must pay alimony. But if through
her fault he obtains divorce she pays
nothing.
She may be worth millions and cut
him off without cent in her will. He
cannot cut off her dover right. If he
dies intestate, leaving children, they
receive two-thirds and the widow one
third of his personal estate, besides her
"dower right of one-third of his real
estate. If she dies, leaving children,
the husband is entitled to one-third of
her personal estate, but nothing else.
If he owns the home in which they live
he cannot sell or mortgage it without
the signature of the wife. If she owns
1t she may do with it as she pleases.
If the husband fails to support her,
he may be arrested and prosecuted
criminally. No matter how wealthy
she is, or how sick or poor he is, the
wife cannot be compelled to support
him. When girl is married under
eighteen, the man may be punished as
an abductor if the parents consent was
not obtained. But there is no punish
ment for the girl, no matter how young
the man may be. Factory owners may
not put women to work in their shops
before 6 a. m. or keep them there after
9 p. M, nor may they force women to
work more than fifty -four hours or six
days week. There is no such law for
men employees.
''If the suffragists really want equal
ity," remarked Mr.. Hayden, "these
laws preferring women must be repeal
ed to obtain it.
1t was pointed out by Mr.. Wheeler
that the suffragists claim they would
gladly serve on juries in return for the
vote.
''But what" he asked, "do thew
suggest when it comes to military SER
vice? That is something they certainly
can't do. / have heard it said that
women will work as nurses or that thew
can raise the next generation of sold
iers in return for the ballot. But thew
are quite free to do both things now
without the ballot, and they are doing
them"
Mr.. Wheeler also thought it was in
consistent to demand equality land not
call for the repeal of the laws which
plainly give woman the preference in
many matters now. If men and women
were to be placed on an equal footing
in all things, he argued it would be ne
cessary for the latter to surrender the
privileges which they enjoy exclusively
under the law. He even contented
J that this rule should be carried out in
the question Of alimony.
Suppose we consider alimony in the
sense of payment for injuries received
he said, 'If woman is entitled to it
because her husband was at fault, does
it not seem fair to say that a man is
also entitled to it when hisRife was at