the husband die without a will, one-third of
the personal property goes to the widow; if there are more than two
children, she shares equally with them; if there be no child or legal
representative of a deceased child, one-half goes to the widow, the
other half to the kindred of the husband. If a wife die without a
will, the widower has a life estate in her real property, if there has
been issue born alive, and all of her personal property absolutely,
subject to her debts.

A homestead to the value of $1,000 is exempt from sale during
widowhood unless the widow have one in her own right.

The wife is not bound by contract unless the husband joins in writing.
In actions against her he must be served with the suit.

The wife can not be a sole trader without the husband's written and
recorded consent, unless living apart from him under legal divorce or
separation, or unless he is an idiot or a lunatic, or has abandoned
her or maliciously turned her out of doors. She controls even her
wages only under these circumstances.

The divorce laws make the discrimination against women that while the
husband can secure a divorce for one act of adultery on the part of
the wife, she can secure one from him on this ground only if he
separates from her and lives openly in adultery.

The father is the legal guardian of the persons and education of the
minor children, and may appoint a guardian by will even for one
unborn. The court appoints the guardian for the estate.

Wilful neglect by the husband to provide adequate support for the wife
and children is a misdemeanor.

The "age of protection" for girls still remains 10 years, with a
penalty of death. Over 10 and under 14 the crime is a misdemeanor,
punishable with fine or imprisonment in the penitentiary at discretion
of the court, if the child has been previously chaste.

SUFFRAGE: Women possess no form of suffrage.

OFFICE HOLDING: By the State constitution only those entitled to vote
are eligible to office. Women are thus barred from every elective and
appointive office, even that of notary public.

OCCUPATIONS: No profession or occupation is legally forbidden to
women. They are admitted to the State Medical Society and made
chairmen of various sections. There has been a revolution of public
sentiment during the past twenty years in regard to women in
wage-earning occupations. What formerly would have caused ostracism is
now regarded as proper and commendable.

EDUCAT