Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1922-01-19

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 as
citizens and individuals
1t will affect the divorce laws of many states.
Marriage will no longer remove a woman's citi-
zenship mother may become the equal guardi-
an with her husband of her children wife's
earnings are no longer at the disposition of her
husband. married woman may choose her
home; she may select her name. And it puts
men and women on 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 Arbucke 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 the ground that it
would destroy the headship of the family. In
Alabama the bill was defeated with practical una
nimity. In Florida the result 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 legislature-that of Wisconsin.
So the campaign has been tedious and the
suit small. OF course the National Woman's par
ty has not given up the battle in the states 1t is
still campaigning and intends to campaign. But
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
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, accomplshes all that the blanket
bill does. 1t puts men and women equality
before the law. 1t eliminates the question of sex.
Now here is where the distinction with a diff
ference comes in; here is where the opposition
camp cries "Stopw
In many of the states the persistent efforts of
womans organizations have secured for women
rights and privileges under the law which
granted to women because they were women. The
law, in word has recognized sex and has con-
ferred special privileges upon woman to offset
her limitation because of SEX
There is long list of these special state laws
that have been enacted for women because they
are women. This list includes legislation 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 Op-
pose these two measures on the ground that they
throw all women's welfare legislation in the bal
ance; that in gaining absolute equality before the
law woman will lose what has been secured for her
woman through long years of unceasing effort.
Therefore the National League of Women Voters
and the other organizations in it's camp believe in
accomplishing the revision of state laws grad
ually, by methods that shall create no hardship
and no upheaval. Their campaign provides for in
vestgation in each state and special legislation
to fit the case.
Both camps, of course, have consulted the law
yers the effect of the adoption of the cOnsti-