The History of the Women's Suffrage: The Flame Ignites. Susan B. Anthony

was increased, but by the refusal to fix a minimum of fine or imprisonment there is but a slight improvement over the original status.

      If over 16 each of the parties may be punished by imprisonment not exceeding three months or a fine not exceeding $30.

      All property of the wife, real or personal, owned by her before marriage or lawfully acquired afterward, by gift, bequest or purchase, is her separate estate and is not liable for the debts of the husband without her written consent in legal form. It remains, however, under his care and management, but he can not charge for these, nor can she compel him to account for its rents, proceeds or profits.

      The wife can not transfer her real or personal property without the husband's joinder. If he has been insane one year she can convey or transfer without his signature. Any married woman who may wish to take charge of her estate, and become a free dealer in every respect, must apply to the court for a license. Since 1891 a married woman's earnings acquired by any employment aside from the household are her separate property.

      Dower but not curtesy prevails. The widow has the life use of one-third of the real estate and, if there are no children or but one child, she has one-half the personal estate absolutely; if more than one, she has one-third. If there are no children and no will she takes the whole estate, real and personal. If the wife die without a will, and the husband but no descendants survive her, the whole of her estate goes to him; but if there are children or their descendants, the estate, both real and personal, descends in distribution to them. The homestead, to the extent of 160 acres of land in the country or a half-acre in town, is exempt from seizure for debt.

      A married woman may dispose of her property, both real and personal, by last will and testament in the same manner as if she were unmarried.

      The father has legal control of the persons, education and property of the children, and he alone may appoint a guardian by will, during any part of infancy.

      The husband is required by law to support his family and, on his failure to do so, the court may make such orders as are necessary. If living separate from him, the wife may sue for alimony without divorce if legal cause exist.

      Suffrage: Women possess no form of suffrage.

      Office Holding: Women are not eligible to any office, elective or appointive, except that they may serve as notaries public.

      Occupations: Women have been admitted to the practice of law in a few judicial circuits, but none have been admitted into the medical profession. No other occupation is legally forbidden.

      Education: All of the institutions of learning are open alike to both sexes.

      In the public schools there are 1,121 men and 1,671 women teachers. The average monthly salary of the men is $35; of the women, $32.40.

219 The History is indebted to Mrs. C. S. Burnett-Haney of Stuart, superintendent of purity for the State Woman's Christian Temperance Union, for much of the information in this chapter.