ve enjoyed this
_privilege_ since 1871, when it was gained for them by the
efforts of Mrs. Ann H. Connelly of Rahway. She was an
American woman, the mother of one daughter, and unhappily
married. She desired to be divorced from her husband, but
she knew that in such case he might legally take her child
from her. Such a risk could not be thought of for a moment;
so she applied to the legislature for a change of the law.
She was assisted by many influential citizens, both men and
women; petitions largely signed were presented, and the
result was the amendment of the law making the mother and
father equal in the ownership of their children. When a copy
of the new law appeared in our papers I wrote to Mrs.
Connelly, inclosing a resolution of thanks from the Essex
County Woman Suffrage Society, of which I was then
secretary. In her reply she said: "This unexpected and
distinguishing recognition of my imperfect, but earnest,
efforts for justice is inexpressibly gratifying." Several
years after, I went with my daughter to Rahway to see Mrs.
Connelly. She seemed to be well known and much respected.
She was teaching in one of the public schools, but seemed
quite feeble in health. In 1881 I saw the notice of her
death. She was a woman of much intelligence, and strongly
interested in suffrage, and should certainly be held in
grateful remembrance by the mothers of New Jersey, to whom
she restored the right which nature gave them, but which
men had taken away by mistaken legislation.

This law of February 21, 1871, composed of several acts
purporting to give fathers and mothers equal rights in cases of
separation and divorce, is not so liberal as it seems in
considering this provision:

Upon a decree of divorce the court may make such further
decree as may be deemed expedient concerning the custody and
maintenance of minor children, and determine with which of
the parents the children shall remain.

This act, though declaring that the mother and father are equal,
soon shows by its specifications that the courts can dispose of
all woman's interests and affections as they may see fit. What
avails