of the law which opened the way to clothe woman with full rights, in regard to holding, using, and enjoying in every way her own property, independently of any husband.
I add the following extracts taken from the journals of the Senate and Assembly of 1848, viz:
Senate journal for 1848, p. 35. January 7th. ‘‘ Mr. Fine gave notice that he would, at an early day, ask leave to introduce a bill for the more effectual protection of the property of married women."
Jan. 8th, p. 47. "Mr. Fine introduced ‘the bill,' and it was referred to the Judiciary Committee," which consisted of Mr. Wilkin, Mr. Fine, and Mr. Cole.
Feb. 7th, p. 157. Mr. Wilkin reported the bill favorably, and it was sent to the Committee of the Whole.
Feb. 23d. Mr. Geddes presented the petition of three hundred citizens of Syracuse praying for the passage of a law to protect the rights of married women.
March 1st, p. 242. "The Senate spent some time in Committee of the Whole" on the bill, and reported progress, and had leave to sit again.
March 3d, p. 250. The Senate again in Committee of the Whole on this bill.
March 15th, p. 314. The Senate again in Committee of the Whole on this bill.
March 21st, p. 352. Mr. Lawrence, from Committee of the Whole, reported the bill with some amendments. "Thereupon ordered that said bill be referred to a Select Committee consisting of Mr. Fine, Mr. Geddes, and Mr. Hawley to report complete."
March 21st, p. 354. "Mr. Geddes, from the Select Committee, reported complete, with amendments, the bill entitled ‘An Act for the more effectual protection of the property of married women,' which report was laid on the table."
March 28th, p. 420. ‘‘On motion of Mr. Geddes, the Senate then proceeded to the consideration of the report of the Select Committee on the bill entitled ‘(as above)', which report was agreed to, and the bill ordered to a third reading."
March 29th, p. 443. The bill entitled "(as above)" was read the third time, and passed — ayes, 23; nays, 1, as follows:
Ayes — Messrs. Betts, Bond, Brownson, Burch, Coffin, Cole, Gaol! Cornwell, Fine, Floyd, Fox, Fuller, Geddes, 8. H. P. Hall, Hawley, Johnson, Lawrence, Little, Martin, Smith, Wallon, Wilkin, Williams, 23.
Nays — Clark, 1.
April 7th, p. 541. The bill was returned from the Assembly with its concurrence.
Its history in the Assembly (see its Journal):
March 29th, p. 966. A message from the Senate, requesting the concurrence of the Assembly to ‘‘ An Act for the more effectual protection of the property of married women." On motion of Mr. Campbell, the bill was sent to a Committee consisting of Messrs. Campbell, Brigham, Myers, Coe, and Crocker, to report complete (see page 967).
