t $1 a week for ten years.

Until 1889 the "age of protection" for girls was only seven years.
That year, on petition of many women, it was raised to fifteen, but
the violation of the law was declared to be only a "misdemeanor,"
punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not
more than seven years, or both, at the discretion of the court, with
no minimum penalty named. In 1895 the Legislature, on the insistence
of women, raised the "age of protection" to eighteen years, but
continued to extend the "protection" to boys as well as girls. It has
been found very difficult to secure the conviction of men for this
crime, and those convicted have been repeatedly pardoned by the
Governor.

On May 10, 1897, the Legislature passed a bill requiring the
proprietors of mills, factories and stores in the city of Wilmington
to provide comfortable toilet-rooms for their female employes, and one
giving power for the appointment of women as factory inspectors. One
was appointed by Chief Justice Lore the same year.

If there is a child or the lawful issue of a child living, the widow
has a life-interest in one-third of the real estate and one-third
absolutely of the personal property. If there is no child nor the
descendant of any child living, the widow has a life-interest in
one-half of the real estate and one-half absolutely of the personal
estate. If there are neither descendants nor kin--brothers, sisters,
their descendants, father nor mother--the widow has the entire real
estate for her life, and all the personal estate absolutely. If a
child of the marriage was born alive, whether living or dead at the
death of the wife, the widower has her entire real estate during his
life, and the whole of her personal estate absolutely, subject to all
legal claims. If there has not been a child born alive, the widower
has a life-interest in one-half of her real estate, but the whole of
her personal estate absolutely.

The father is the legal guardian of the children, and he alone may
appoint a guardian at his death.

For failure to support his wife and minor children, a man may be fined
from $10 to $100; and, by Act of 1887, arrested and required to give
bail not exceeding $500. The court may order him to pay reasonable
support not exceeding $100 per month and give security to the State.
If he fail to comply, he may be committed to jail. The wife is
competent as a witness.

SUFFRAGE: The women in Milford, Townsend,