hould be secured, if possible, at the
coming election. The women worked assiduously against the
adoption of the city charter, and rejoiced to see it rejected by
a large majority.

The following facts in regard to the constitution and statute
laws of California were sent us by the Hon. A. A. Sargent:

In 1879, California adopted a new constitution, by means of
a constitutional convention. It was an unfortunate time for
such organic legislation, for the reason that the State was
rife at the time with the agitation of "sand-lotters," as
they were called, a violent faction which assailed property
rights and demanded extreme concessions to labor. The
balance of power in the constitutional convention was held
by persons elected by this element, and resulted in a
constitution extraordinary in some of its features, but
which was adopted by the people after a fierce contest.

Women fared badly at the hands of these constitution-makers,
so far as suffrage is concerned. Section 1, article 2,
confirms the right of voting to "every native male citizen,"
and "every male naturalized citizen," although a heroic
effort was made by the friends of woman suffrage to keep out
the word "male." But section 18, article XX., provides that
"no person shall, on account of sex, be disqualified from
entering upon or pursuing any lawful business, vocation or
profession."

Some years before, the State had adopted a "civil code,"
which was abreast of the world in liberality to women. This
code discarded the idea of any servility in the relation of
the wife to the husband. This code is still the law, and
provides, in effect, that husband and wife contract toward
each other obligations of mutual respect, fidelity and
support. The husband is the head of the family, and may
choose any reasonable place and mode of life, and the wife
must conform thereto. Neither has any interest in the
property of the other, and neither can be excluded from the
other's dwelling. Either may enter into any engagement or
transaction with the other, or with any other person,
respecting property, which either might if unmarried. They