of the wife and for slanders spoken by
her, although out of his presence and without his knowledge or
consent. (1899.)

The father is the guardian of the persons, estates and education of
minor children. At his death the mother is guardian, but if she
marries again she loses the guardianship of the property because no
married woman can be curator of a minor's estate.

If the husband abandon or fail to support his family, he may be fined
and imprisoned and the court may decree their maintenance out of his
property. The wife must live where and how the husband shall
determine. If she chooses to live elsewhere his obligation to support
her ceases. In case of divorce he must support the children, even if
their custody is given to the mother.

The "age of protection" for girls was raised from 12 to 14 years in
1889 and to 18 years in 1895. The penalty was reduced, however, and is
at present "imprisonment in the penitentiary for a term of two years,
or a fine of not less than $100 or more than $500, or imprisonment in
the county jail not less than one month nor more than six months, or
both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court."
Between the ages of 14 and 18 years, the girl must be "of previously
chaste character."

SUFFRAGE: Women possess no form of suffrage.

OFFICE HOLDING: In 1897 the Supreme Court decided that women may hold
any office from which they are not debarred by the constitution of the
State. They are now eligible as county clerks, county school
commissioners and notaries public, and for various offices up to that
of judge of the Supreme Court, which are not provided for by the
constitution. It is the opinion of lawyers that they may serve on city
school boards, and they have been nominated without objection, but
none has been elected. Women are barred, however, from all State
offices.

Two women sit on the State Board of Charities, but they can not do so
on any other State boards.

A number are now serving as county clerks and county commissioners.

The W. S. A. and the W. C. T. U. have secured the appointment of
salaried police matrons from the board of police commissioners in St.
Louis, Kansas City and St. Joseph. There are also depot matrons in
these cities, and the first two have women guards at the jails and
workhouses.

St. Louis has a woman inspector of shops and factories.

OCCUPATIONS: No profession or occupation is legally forbidden to
women.

EDUCATION: This was