Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1922-01-13

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
Ii will affect the divorce laws Of many states
Marriage Will no longer remove a woman's citI.
2enship mother may become the equal guard.
an with her husband of her children wlfes
earnings are no longer at the disposition OF her
husband A married woman may choose her
home; She may even select her name And II puts
men and women on exactly the same plane In re-
Spect to jury service-which opens up an exceed
lngly 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 II
would destroy the headshlp Of the family. In
Alabama the bill was defeated with practical una.
nimity. In Florida the result was the same. In
Michigan 1t Is claimed that the bin will be passed
at the next regular session, two years from now.
In short. this blanket bin 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 Womans par.
ty has not given up the battle in the states 1t is
still campaigning and intends to campaign But
10 gain time--and doubtless also to secure ma
tlona pubclty-it seeks an amendment TO the
federal constitution
This proposed amendment to the Constitution
is short and to the point. 1t reads:
"Sec. NO political, civil or legal disabilities
or inequalities on account Of sex, or 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, accompshes all that the blanket
bill does. II puts men and women on an equality
before the law. II 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 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 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 on mini
mum wage mothers pensions Limitation OF hours
nrohIbition 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 on the ground that they
throw all women's welfare legislation In the bal
anee 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
therefore the National League of Women Voters
and the other organizations in its camp believe in
accomplishing the revision of state laws grad
pally. 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 consul