Cheraw chronicle. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1896-2005, 1922-01-12


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 as
citizens and as individuals.
1t will affect the divorce laws of many states.
Marriage will no longer remove wOmans ctl-
zenship. A mother may become the equal guardi-
an with her husband of her children. wfe's
earnings longer at the disposition Of her
husband married woman may choose her
home; she may even select her name. And 1t 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 Arbuckle 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 it
would destroy the beadship 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 legisature-that of Wisconsin.
So the campaign has been tedious and the re-
suit small. OF course the National Woman's par
" has not given up the battle in the states. 1t Is
still campaigning and intends to campaign. But
to gain time-and doubtless also to secure ma
tional pubcity-it seeks an amendment to the
federal constitution.
This proposed amendment to the Constitution
is short and to the point 1t reads:
"Sec. 1.--No political, civil or legal disabilities
or inequalities account of SEX or on account
of marriage, unless applying alike to both sexes,
shall>e 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 "StOp!"
In many of the states the persistent efforts or
woman's organizations have secured for women
rights and privileges under the law which were
granted to women because they were women. Inc
law, in word, has recognized sex and has con-
ferred special privileges upon woman 10 Offset
her limitation because of sex.
There is long list of these special state laws
that have heen enacted for women because they
are women This list includes legislation on mini
mum wage mothers pensions, limitation or hours
nrohbiton of night work, etc, etc. And there Is
tbe federal maternity" act, just passed by con-
gress.
The women in opposition to the blanket law
and TO the constitutional amendment therefore op-
nose these two measures OH the ground that they
throw all women's welfare legislation in the bal
orce. that in gaining absolute equality before the
law woman will lose what has been secured FOR her
os woman through long years of unceaslng EFFORT
Therefore the National League of Women voters
and the other organizations in its camp beleVe III
o,,,liSbnr the revision of state laws grad
roIv bv methods that shall create no hardship
and no urheaval Their campaign provides Tor III
ynsticotinn in each state and special legislation
TO fit tie case.
Roth camps of course, have consulted the law
vors os TO the effect Of the adoption of the collSti-