e support for that length of time. He is
accorded the same privileges and the presence of a will does not
change the case. A more liberal allowance than formerly is granted to
the family from an insolvent estate.

In the presence of two witnesses, before marriage, the man and the
woman may determine what rights each shall have in the other's estate
during marriage and after its dissolution by death, and may bar each
other of all rights in their respective estates not then secured to
them.

A married woman may acquire and hold real and personal property in her
own right, and convey the same without joinder of her husband. He has
the same legal privilege. The wife may control her own earnings, and
carry on business, and the profits are her sole and separate property.

She can prosecute and defend suits in her own name both in contract
and in tort, and the wages of the wife and minor children are exempt
from attachment in suits against the husband.

Dower, alimony and other provisions for the wife are made in case of
divorce for the husband's fault, and a law of 1895 compels the husband
to support his family or contribute thereto (provided the separation
was not the fault of the wife) and the Supreme Judicial Court may
enforce obedience.

Maine is one of the few States in the Union where fathers and mothers
have equal guardianship of their children. (1895.)

In 1887 the "age of protection" for girls was raised from 10 to 13
years. In 1889 it was advanced to 14 years, providing unqualified
protection, with penalty of imprisonment for life or for a term of
years. In 1897 an act was passed providing a "qualified" protection
for girls between 14 and 16--that is, protection from men over
twenty-one years of age.

Some of the above laws have originated with the legislators
themselves. Others have been asked for by the women of the State,
through the medium of the W. S. A., the W. C. T. U. and the Woman's
Council; but in the various organizations it has been those who are
suffragists that have carried these measures to a successful
issue.[298]

SUFFRAGE: Women have no form of suffrage.

OFFICE HOLDING: At the present time women are filling offices,
elective and appointive, as follows: School superintendents, 69;
school supervisor, one; school committee, 112; public librarians, 40;
trustee of State insane asylum, one; physician on board of same, one;
matron of same, one; supervisor female wards of same, one; police
ma