An interesting article for the times: The Pike County Journal. Zebulon, Pike County, Georgia, Nov. 29, 1895 The Fleming Bill The Georgia House of Representatives passed the bill introduced by Fleming, of Richmond, to make the personal earnings of a married woman her separate property and not liable for the debts of her husband. In passing this the legislature did a good thing. It gives the women of Georgia a protection they have long needed. There is no justice in forcing a hard working, industrious woman to support and pay the debts of a lazy trifling husband. If he is the right kind of a man and is simply unfortunate she will help him all she can anyway, but if she does not want to do this there should be not law to force her to. We are surprised that the bill met with such a determined opposition in the House. As Mr. Fleming eloquently said, “the chivalry which will cause a man to lift his hat to a woman and then cause him to vote against her interest is of very little account.” It was argued against the bill that it would give the same right to the negro women as to the white. This is no argument at all. There is no sense or justice in making the personal earnings of a thrifty, industrious colored woman the property of her good for nothing husband who will not work or save. It was also argued against it that the woman had ample protection now. The very fact that there was no such law upon the statute books shows that this was not the case. The legislature did a wise thing in passing this bill. It was but right and just that they should. Let us give to the women of the state every right that they should have and which is just and surely this measure comes under both heads. - LaGrange Graphic. (Transcribed 11/16/02 Lynn Cunningham)