ABSTRACT
Although so little has been absolutely achieved in the suffrage quest.ion, the a'gitation has during the last thirty years, as with us in England, accomplished many aide issues. The legislature has during this time enacted laws allowing wornen to VOl'e in parishes and religious societies, declaring t.hat women must become membel'S of the Board of Trustees of the three St.a.te, Primary, and Reform Scho01s, of the State W orkhouse, the State Almshouse at Tewkesbury, and the Board of Plison Commissioners; also that certain officers and managers of the Refol'matory Pl'ison at Shel'born "sha11 be women." Without legislation wornen now are school supervisors, overseel'S of the poor, trustees of public libraries, and membel's of the State Board of Education, and of the State Board of Health, Lunacy, and Charity. The change in the laws affeeting married women is eqna11y recent. Thirty years ago the English Jaw obtained by which & wife eould own nothing, and do nothing without the eonsent of her husband. To-day she can hold her own property, and make a will disposing of jt. She can make contracts, enter into co-part.nel'ships, invest her own earnings, and is responsible for her own debts. She can be executrix, administratrix, and guardian. If
. beaten by her husband, she ean have him bound over to keep the peaee for two years, and if he dies, whatever will he may leave, ahe has a claim to o:::le-third of bis personal property. In social, educational, and professional respects the ehanges have been even greater, but our spaee forbids us to dwell further upon them.
