The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-04-15
LAWS Of ". VA.
ARE DISCUSSED
ATTORNEY HENRY ~. RUSSELL
ADDRESSES ASSEMBLY
YESTERDAY.
Discrimination Against Women in w.
Va. Was the Subject Presented
Before Civic Department

Dissemination Against Women in
West Virginia" furnished a topic OF
particular interest. which was dis
cussed before the Civic department of
the Woman's club yesterday afternoon
by Henry NJ. Russell The club was
very fortunate in securing Mr.. Russell
for the occasion. as the meeting deyel-
oped into one OF the most instructive
Of the series which have designated
their club year. and held the atten-
ton OF the members throughout
Judge Frank Nesbitt was TO have
addressed this meeting. but owing TO
other duties. 1t was impossible for him
10 be present
Mr.. Russell introduced his subject
by short dissertation on two kinds
of law in this state. the common and
statute. the former having been taken
quite whole from that of England. up
on the withdrawal OF this country from
under her rule and which has oeen
changed in many ways by the statutes
enacted since. These have counter
acted many of the Determinations
against women. who previously had had
no rights whatever. and after her mar
riage became. as far as law was con-
Cerned. one OF her husband ChatteIs.
Pow a woman can hold property ds
her own separate estate aside from
her husband. can make contracts On
nearly every subject and II working
can keep her earnings. which could
not be done under common law. these
she can also place in bank. She can
have inventions patented. and she can
insure the life OF her husband. the
money To be hers upon his death.
These are few OF the most important
figures In which West Virginia has
changed her common law. thus giving
women rights which they had not mad
previous
few wrongs still exist. which the
effect of the ballot given to women
would minimize. said Mr. Russell. who
continued that one law which d.
eliminates more than another and
which gives the ballot to the men ANA
not To the woman. H. fundamental I'M
just He also said that the effect
OF the vote on the attitude OF women
must be taken into consideration. and
II they have a say. they VIII naturally
take a greater interest in the laws anc
their enforcement and that by comparI-
son. one who knows their advice Will
not be- considered. Is not concerned
in the study of the subject al nand
Mr.. Russell continued with the three
theories which are advanced concern
Ing the equal suffrage issue. II IS
said OF the extreme Suffragists. that
they expect undes irable laws to be at
once repealed, and all manner of per
fecung reforms Instituted. Tn, ueu-
trails insist that the double vote will
make no change. with which senti-
ment. the speaker differed. Nj Rus
e. H III 90. HrHaa~
would be done more wisely by all. as
the result of discussion. and that the
reverse has not been proven IN the
western states where equal suffrage
has been In vogue While the extreme
snti-sufiraIists are claimed TO protest
that women viii vote from sentiment,
and that many. many foolish laws Will
be- passed. The laws wCih have been
passed IN western states. have been
quite AZ variance with this view, as
D. they have dwelt with child labor. food.
anitation and the enforcement Of he
q laws of CommcrCialiZCd vice
Mr.. Russell then spoke OF a few Of
the matters. as to which discrimination
~ull exists in the state laws OF West
virginia. n" defined the relative
rights Of man and wifi, in law as re-
CARDS inheritance. which are markedly
10 favor OF the latter in the constitu.
ton Of West Virginia. Neither can a
woman make a property deed with
warrant. and as regards the guardian.
ship Of her children the state law le
exceedingly discriminating IN favor of
the father The father is placed rs
the childs natural guardian. and n,
mother has no consideration IN this
respect should the child die the fam,
cr can inherit the properties. but the
mother shares equally with the chill