River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1922-01-12


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"Section 2. This ar %5M-
ticle shall be construed #
as abrogating in every sM## #W
respect the common law \ ~
disabilities of women.
.'Section 3. This act ~
shall not affect laws
regulating the employ N$%S$&$s$S
ment of women in in \sszzgzz2s
dustry. e z1sS ri;
Section 4. All acts ADDAZ
and parts of acts in rec 0sz
fict with any of the pro- \u~0e,roea
visions of this statute So
hereby repealed"
This bill, it is evident
from the most cursory
reading is revolutionary.
Its enactment by the
legislatures of the states would practically change
the whole status of women in the United States
1t sets women on exactly the same plane as men
in everything affecting their freedom of action
citizens and individuals.
1t will affect the divorce laws of many states.
Marriage will no longer remove womans cti-
zenship. A mother may become the equal guardi-
an with her husband of her children. A wfes
earnings are longer at the disposition of her
husband. married woman may choose her
home; she may even select her name. And it puts
men and women exactly the same plane In re-
spect to jury service-which opens up an exceed
ingly complicated and interesting question; as
suggested by the outcome of the Arbuckie case in
San Francisco. These are but few of the many
radical changes that would be brought about by
the adoption of the blanket law by the legislatures
This blanket bill has found hard shedding in
most of the states. In Louisiana its promoters
could not get it before the legislature; members
refused to introduce it on the ground that 1t
would destroy the headship of the family. In
Alabama the bill was defeated with practical una
nimity. In Florida the result was the same. In
Michigan it is claimed that the bill will be passed
at the next regular session, two years from now
In short. this blanket bill has been passed by but
one legisIature-that of Wisconsin.
So the campaign has been tedious and the re-
suit small OF course the National Wonans par
ty has given up the battle in the states. 1t is
still campaigning ard intends to campaign But
to gain time--and doubtless also to secure ma
tional publicity--it seeks amendment to the
federal constitution.
This proposed amendment to the Constitution
is short and to the point. 1t reads:
"Sec. mo political civil or legal disabilities
or Inequalities on account of sex, on account
of marriage unless applying alike to both sexes
shall exist within the United States or any place
subject to their jurisdiction.
"Sec. 2--Congress shall have power to enforce
this article by appropriate legislation"
This you see, accomplishes all that the blanket
bill does. 1t puts men and women on an equality
before the law It eliminates the question of sex
Now here is where the distinction with diff
ference comes in; here is where the opposition
camp cries "Stopl"
In many of the states the persistent efforts of
woman's organizations have secured for women
rights and privileges under the law which were
granted to women because they were women. The
law In a word has recognized sex and has con-
ferred special privileges upon woman to onset
her Limitation because of sex.
There is a long list of these special state laws
that have been enacted for women because they
are women This list includes legislation on mini
mum wage, mothers pensions, Limitation OF hours
prohibition of night work. ETC.. etc. And there is
the federal maternity act, just passed by con-
gress.
The women in opposition to the blanket law
and TO the constitutional amendment therefore OPP
nose these two measures the ground that they
throw all womens welfare legislation In the bal
ance; that in gaining absolute equality before the
law woman will lose what has been secured for her
as woman through long years of unceasing effort
Therefor the National League of Women Voters
and the other organizations in its camp believe in
accommodating the revision of state laws grad
ualIv by methods that shall create no hardship
and no upheaval Their campaign provides for In
yestigation in each state and special legislation
to fit the case.
Both camps of course, have consulted the law
yers as to the effect of the adoption of the const-