FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS

The rapid spread of suffrage throughout the world—­Table of suffrage gains from early times to present date—­In national politics in the United States—­Attack on the suffrage parade and colloquy between Mr. Hobson and Mr. Mann on the subject—­Suffrage amendment defeated in the Senate—­Mr. Heflin’s remarks in the House—­Mr. Falconer replies—­President Wilson refuses to take a stand—­Amendment lost—­Mr. Bryan on suffrage—­Examples of legislation to protect women passed recently—­The tendency is to complete equality of the sexes—­Suffrage in England—­A delayed reform in divorce—­Women’s rights on the Continent—­Especially in Germany—­Schopenhauer’s views of women—­Further remarks on the philosophy of suffrage—­“Woman’s sphere”—­Ultimate results of women entering all businesses and professions—­Feminism—­The home is not necessarily every woman’s sphere and neither is motherhood nor is it her congenital duty to make herself attractive to men—­Unreasonableness of gratuitous advice to women and none to men—­What we don’t know—­Fallacy of the argument that the fall of the Roman Empire was due to the liberty given to woman—­Official organs of various suffrage societies

INDEX

A Short History of Women’s Rights

CHAPTER I

Women’s rights under Roman law, from Augustus to Justinian—­27 B.C.  To 527 A.D.

[Sidenote:  Guardianship.]

The age of legal capability for the Roman woman was after the twelfth year, at which period she was permitted to make a will.[1] However, she was by no means allowed to do so entirely on her own account, but only under supervision.[2] This superintendence was vested in the father or, if he was dead, in a guardian[3]; if the woman was married, the power belonged to the husband.  The consent of such supervision, whether of father, husband, or guardian, was essential, as Ulpian informs us,[4] under these circumstances:  if the woman entered into any legal action, obligation, or civil contract; if she wished her freedwoman to cohabit with another’s slave; if she desired to free a slave; if she sold any things mancipi, that is, such as estates on Italian soil, houses, rights of road or aqueduct, slaves, and beasts of burden.  Throughout her life a woman was supposed to remain absolutely under the power[5] of father, husband, or guardian, and to do nothing without their consent.  In ancient times, indeed, this authority was so great that the father and husband could, after calling a family council, put the woman to death without public trial.[6] The reason that women were so subjected to guardianship was “on account of their unsteadiness of character,"[7] “the weakness of the sex,” and their “ignorance of legal matters."[8] Under