Page:The Woman Socialist - Snowden - 1907.djvu/103

 Assuming that there will be lawyers under Socialism (and there will probably be a few, with special or departmental knowledge in matters appertaining to the law, who will act in that capacity with modesty and without covetousness!) women will act as lawyers. In France there are women practitioners at present. Not so in England yet. But even this monopoly of the male sex will vanish before the onrush of rebellious women. To look after the interests of their own sex, it is necessary.

It is frequently argued by the opponents of woman suffrage that women are privileged in many matters of law. This may be true; but these privileges are insults if there is no political liberty. Women do not want special protection if they can have the protection of the vote. They do not want a kind and indulgent owner; but a helpful comrade and brother.

That the law has been, and is, in very many ways grossly unjust to women is actually true also. Only since the year had the mother any right whatever to her own children. "The sacred rights of the father" are still unduly emphasised by an English court. Not until was the