y to the extent of $2,000, and one-half of the remainder
absolutely after the decedent's debts have been paid.

The father always has been entitled to the custody and control of the
minor children with power to appoint a guardian by will; but a law was
passed the present year (1901) which gives the father and mother equal
rights of guardianship, and on the death of the father makes the
mother the legal guardian.

If a husband neglect to support his wife he may be committed to the
workhouse or county jail and sentenced to hard labor not more than
sixty days, unless he can show good cause why he is unable to furnish
such support, or unless he can give a bond. If he neglect to comply
with his bond the selectmen of the town shall immediately furnish
support to the extent provided for in such bond. (1895.)

In 1887 the "age of protection" for girls was raised from 10 to 14
years, and in 1895 this was increased to 16. The penalty is
imprisonment in the penitentiary not less than three years.

SUFFRAGE: The School Suffrage Law of 1893 allows all women citizens
who have arrived at the age of majority, and have resided one year in
the State and six months in the town, to vote at any meeting held for
election of school trustees or for any educational purpose.

At the first election after the passage of this Act, 4,471 women voted
in the State. Since then the number has gradually decreased for
several reasons. Women soon learned that their vote amounted to but
little because of the fact that Connecticut has a minority
representation upon its school boards. This practically eliminates
contest in the election of school officers, for it often occurs that
only the exact number of candidates to be elected are placed in
nomination. In cities men are frequently placed on school boards to
pay political debts or as an opening for further advancement,
therefore it has been found almost impossible to secure the nomination
of women. This, of course, decreases their interest in the election.
In several marked instances, however, where some question of
importance has arisen, women have registered and voted in large
numbers.

Willimantic offers a good illustration. All the schools in the town of
Windham, of which Willimantic is a borough, were under the district
system. For some time the largest school district had been unwisely
managed through the influence of one man, who controlled enough votes
to insure his retention as chairman