ion was properly
presented to the Legislature, we might have well grounded hope
for the relief of women from their legal disabilities, and
indicated the amendments which ought to be made in the present
laws regulating the relations of the married state. He argued
against making the man and wife joint owners of property, execpt
in certain specific cases.

Rev. Mr. CHANNING said that in Louisiana and California this
joint ownership was recognized by the laws.

Mr. HOPKINS was not aware of that; and he did not see why labor,
worth in the market no more than one or two dollars per week,
should be paid for at the rate of, it may be, $200 per week. He
thought the law should be altered so that the widow may have
control of property while her children are minors. The right to
vote, which was claimed under the idea that representation should
go before taxation, he discussed with ability, taking ground
against women voting. The arguments used by the other side were
shown to be fallacious, or at least partaking of the aristocratic
element. Women are already tried by "their peers," though not by
those of their own sex. As to women holding office, this movement
had proved the position of Dr. Channing, in his discussion with
Miss Martineau, that "influence was good, and office bad." Women
should be content to exercise influence, without seeking for the
spoils and risking the temptations of office. He argued upon the
maxim that "governments derive their just powers from the consent
of the governed," contending that it was not true; those powers
are derived from the majority who are brave enough to set up and
sustain the government.[124]

Frederick Douglass, in the course of his remarks, said he had seen two
young women assistants in the County Clerk's office, also young women
going into printing-offices to set type; and he might have added the
following, which we clip from the _The Una_ of the same date:

Female compositors have been employed in the offices of the three
Cincinnati daily papers which stood out against the demands of
the Printer's Union. The Pittsburg _Daily Dispatch_ is also set
up entirely by females. The experiment was commenced on that
paper two months ago, and the proprietors now announce its entire
success. The Louisville _Courier_ announces its in