nce 1868 I have, by my own individual efforts, by the use of
hard-earned money, gone to our legislature time after time and
have had this law and that law passed for the benefit of women;
and the same little ship of State has sailed on. To-day our men
are just as well satisfied with the laws in force in our State
for the benefit of women as they were years ago. A woman now has
a right to make a will. She can hold bonds and mortgages of her
own. She has a right to her own property. She cannot sell it
though, if it is real-estate, simply because the moment she
marries, her husband has his right of courtesy. The woman does
not grumble at that; but still when he dies owning real-estate,
she gets only the rental value of one-third, which is called the
widow's dower. Now I think the man ought to have the rental value
of one-third of the woman's maiden property or real-estate, and
it ought to be called the widower's dower. It would be just as
fair for one as for the other. All that I want is equality.

The women of our State, as I said before, are taxed without
representation. The tax-gatherer comes every year and demands
taxes. For twenty years I have paid tax under protest, and if I
live twenty years longer I shall pay it under protest every time.
The tax-gatherer came to my place not long since. "Well," said I,
"good morning, sir." Said he, "Good morning." He smiled and said,
"I have come bothering you." Said I, "I know your face well. You
have come to get a right nice little woman's tongue-lashing."
Said he, "I suppose so, but if you will just pay your tax I will
leave." I paid the tax, "But," said I, "remember I pay it under
protest, and if I ever pay another tax I intend to have the
protest written and make the tax-gatherer sign it before I pay
the tax, and if he will not sign that protest then I shall not
pay, and there will be a fight at once," Said he, "Why do you
keep all the time protesting against paying this small tax?" Said
I, "Why do you pay your tax?" "Well," said he, "I would not pay
it if I did not vote." Said I, "That is the very reason why I do
not want to pay it. I cannot vote." Who stay at home from the
election? The women, and the black and white men who have been to
the whipping-post. Nice company to put your wives and daughters