It must be remembered that the enforcement Of certain laws, particularly in regard to child labour, is extremely lax in many States.  It will be noted also that an unscrupulous employer could find loopholes in some of the statutes.  The reader can observe these things for himself in his particular State.

Alabama

AGE OF LEGAL CONSENT:  14.

POPULATION:  Male 916,764; female 911,933.

HUSBAND AND WIFE:  Wife controls own earnings and has full control of own property; but she cannot mortgage her real and personal property or alienate it without husband’s consent.  Married women may execute will without concurrence of husband and may bar latter’s right of curtesy.  Husband may appoint guardian for children by will; but wife has custody of them until they are fourteen.  If a wife commits a crime in partnership with her husband she cannot be punished (except for murder and treason).  Husband is not required by law to support the family.

DIVORCE:  Absolute divorce is granted for incurable impotence, adultery, desertion for two years, imprisonment for two years or more, crimes against nature, habitual drunkenness after marriage; in favour of husband if wife was pregnant at time of marriage without his knowledge or agency, in favour of wife for physical violence on part of husband endangering life or health, or when there is reasonable apprehension of such violence.

Limited divorce is granted for cruelty in either of the parties or any other cause which would justify absolute divorce, if the party desires only a divorce from bed and board.

LABOUR LAWS:  Women not allowed to work in mines.  Children under 12 not permitted to work in any factory.  All employers of women must provide seats and must allow women to rest when not actively engaged.

SUFFRAGE, POLITICAL CONDITION, INDUSTRIAL AND PROFESSIONAL STATUS:  There is no suffrage.  Women not eligible for any elective office; they may be notaries public.  There are 18 women in the ministry, 12 journalists, 1 dentist, 3 lawyers, 16 doctors, 3 professors, 2 bankers, 5 saloon keepers, 4 commercial travellers, 11 carpenters, etc.

Arizona

AGE OF LEGAL CONSENT:  17.

POPULATION:  Male 71,795; female 51,136.

HUSBAND AND WIFE:  Husband controls wife’s earnings.  Wife has control of property which she had before marriage.  Wife may contract debts for necessaries for herself and children upon credit of husband.  She may sue and be sued and make contracts in her own name as regards her separate property, but must sue jointly with husband for personal injuries, and damages recovered are community property and in his control.  Father is legal guardian of minor children; at his death mother becomes guardian as long as she remains unmarried.

DIVORCE:  Absolute divorce for excesses, cruelty, or outrage, adultery, impotence, conviction for a felony, desertion for one year, neglect of husband to provide for one year, habitual intemperance; in favour of husband if wife was pregnant at time of marriage without his knowledge or agency.