| Show LEGAL STATUS OF WOMEN UTAH the following paper is a carefully prepared and valuable document b sire emily Il ichards and liaa been perused by a number of the badiea ot ogden who have ic quested its publication in THE STANDARD in cider to a wider presentation to the women ot utah the article baa been submitted by THE STANDARD to a competent leeal authority in who after making one elight emendation has pronounced the various propositions under statutory and common law it should bo eaid of sire richards that she ia one of the most estimable trustworthy and women representing the woman carea in utah she waff recce nihed as utah delegate at the world convention in washington in 88 and made one 0 th most modest effective and ladylike lady like addresses that was delivered at the convention darlne its eight days continuance the following paper shows that women in utah have bad accorded to then asual legal advantages as com pared with those conferred by numerous other commonwealths we are of opinion that the woman cause in utah stands well among a majority of the men of the territory and seemingly the most that is needed is to make no mistakes in the farther presentation and advocacy of the cause THE has heretofore expressed its friendliness to the woman cauer and if the women of utah think it necessary to have other women from the outside aid in presenting their cause to the people we hope that they will endeavor to secure the services of miss willard and possibly one or two other elof similar standing and character ae we believe eliat at this stage of affairs in utah only leaders could render service in peaking pe akine of the leeal political and bobial condition of women in utah I 1 feel whet I 1 believe to be n pardonable decree of pride because our territory has always manifested a disposition to deal justly by women the women in utah is eighteen yea she all alio properly by me she ie big equal in this but if a married women elie enjoys a marked advantage over her hubband she not only lias power to posteal property in her own right which she can control and of without liar Imi band but she also has a dower right in abts real property women of 11 age wheler married or single have the right an men to acquire bold and dispose of fill kind of property A early ae 1872 aba leeis lature provided property erty owned by either befaro and holrod afterward bv parch iise le quest declee or delcont des cont with rente profit thereof separate properly ol 01 stint spouse abe game was owned or acquired and that property so owned or acquired be held managed controlled transferred and n any manner disposed of by alio owning or acquiring it without any restriction or limitation by reason of marriage alie law also gave women the eglit lo 10 sue and be sued under chii statute great many women bave acquired and bold the title to property in their own hialit and the percentage property owners Is largo as compared with of other states nud territories in addition to her dower right a inherits a bare of her hut bande state absolutely if lie illes without children ha is entitled to one half of hi estate ax heir if be leaving A widow and a child the hares the estate equally with euen child but if be leaves more than one child the takes one third of alio estate and the the oilier two third if the husband leaves no parents or children the widow succeed to the entire estate Noton lylia eho control of hir separate properly while living but she of the saint by will in any alm ilm there was n utah regulating prior to but common law marriage lieve always been held valad the law now require that every marriage hll be certified and recorded ao 10 the otice of the cleric or the probate court heavy penalties are imposed upon any person performing nn cere marriages are no longer solemnized the causes for divorce fn utah are almi in most of ho elates in the union and apply equally to men and women an actual residence of one year before the commencement of tho action ie necessary to eire abe court jurisdiction children that bave attained the age of 11 k years nd aund minds have abe privilege ot electing to which of their parents they will attach themselves neither party Is entitled to lie cu cutely toly of a calla ns of right but obber being equal if the child Is a girl or of year it ball bo to the mother in all cases the court marces equitable distribution of abe property of the parties and provides for abe maintenance of abe wife and children ff aa office in utah As an instance of the latter jear miss ida lone cook who I 1 not unknown in educational circle in 1 dl and as superintendent of public for county several women served notaries public and we have number of practicing attorney womans was by an act or the legislative ein bly in 1870 the law provided that every woman of the ge of 21 year who had resided in abo territory six months neit pener or or naturalized ia alie united states or who was the wife widow or daughter of a native born or naturalized citizen of the united states have the right to vote at any election thie privilege wa taken away by act of a in 1887 daring the seventeen deurs veurs that women voted in utah they took active putt in the political affairs 1 of the territory acting a delegates to 1 alii other convention of as clerks in the assembly and holding positions not only those of a clerical nature but also bucu as involved thecial confidence and the pretest for taking the from the romeu of atah was that the deprivation would eld polygamy but the fallacy claim will be seen remembered that all who were living in that relation had previously been and that alli act only affected those who had not violated the antl laws the national womans sew the inconsistency protested prote eted against be grosa injustice of had always obeyed the law the to vote because ft others had violated alie law though repeated loris have been made to restore the franchise they have thus far ben as coneless Con eress ha the exclusive power to change the law the sentiment in the territory adoring av oring avo mani sun rage is believed to b as strong now when we were enfranchised and it may be predicted that when the local the to da go bonien asil bere stured to their po privileges socially women eit ibe privileges accorded to our educational in s are open to them they are en courand cou raed to practice law medicine and all theother tb eother professions they are ft liberty to preach the catli visit the sick and at funerals important educational position aare occupied by them and all the walks of life are open to them some are engaged in for ciany other without opposition or prejudice occupy places as clerks saleswomen typewriters bookbinders live telephone and telegraph operators photographers and olber suitable positions in many of which they are taking the place of men the influence of women Is fully recognized her operation cooperation co if sought in nearly all undertakings of a public political or social character cLar acter and in whatever directions her energies have been employed ber attainments compare favorably with those of luen the ellberta and achievements of our women are appreciated by the men who give them encourage and assistance in their various enterprises terp rises there Is a general disposition to improvement and determination to become better for the important duties and responsibilities of this enlightened age I 1 have made no reference to charitable works as they have already been reported cave to declare that I 1 do not know of any place where more jenuine benevolence as shown or where the results are more eat in demonstrating the cower of women to ameliorate those conditions which re offensive to her finer sense and detrimental to the welfare of the race |
