ttee, gave most valuable assistance.

The effect of this bill was far greater than had been anticipated,
because of the importance of New York as a State. Before six months
had passed women in considerable numbers had voted in a dozen
different places. Although it applied only to towns and villages,
these numbered about 1,800. What was of more importance, the principle
had been recognized. There was scarcely a newspaper in the United
States that did not contain an editorial upon the subject, which in
the vast majority of cases declared the law to be just.

LAWS: Dower and curtesy obtain. If the husband die without a will the
widow is entitled to the life use of one-third of the real estate and,
after the payment of the debts, to one-third of the personal estate
absolutely. If there are no children she may have one-half of the
latter--stocks, cash, furniture, pictures, silver, clothing, etc.--and
the other half goes to the husband's relatives, even down to nephews
and nieces. The widow may, however, have the whole if it does not
exceed $2,000. If it exceed that amount, $2,000 may be added to her
half. If there are no relatives of the husband she may have all the
personal property. If there has been a living child the widower has a
life interest in all the wife's estate. If there have been no children
he takes all the personal property absolutely, and her real estate
goes to her next of kin. If there is a child living he has one-third
of the personal property absolutely.

The husband is liable for the wife's debts before marriage to the
extent of any property acquired from her by ante-nuptial agreement.
She holds her separate property, however acquired, free from any
control of the husband and from all liability for his debts. She can
live on her own real estate, and forbid her husband entering upon it.

Either husband or wife can make a will without the knowledge or
consent of the other, the latter disposing of all her separate
property, the former of all but the wife's life interest in one-third
of the real estate. The law provides, however, that no person having
husband, wife, child or parent can bequeath over one-half of his
property, after payment of debts, to any institution, association or
corporation.

The wife can mortgage or convey her real and personal estate without
the husband's signature. He may do this with his personal property but
not with his real estate.

A married woman may carry on any trade or