The "age of protection" for girls is 13 years with a penalty of imprisonment not exceeding thirty years, but no minimum punishment named.
Suffrage: Since 1878 women, possessing the same qualifications required of men, that is, residence in the district three months preceding the election, are entitled to vote for members of the school board and for appropriations of money. There are no county superintendents, and the State Superintendent of Instruction is appointed by the Governor and Council. The city ordinances of Manchester, Franklin and Nashua prohibit women from this suffrage, but they may vote in Concord, the capital.
New Hampshire was the first State in New England to give School Suffrage to women.
Office Holding: Women are eligible to all elective or appointive School offices except where it is forbidden by special charters. They are not eligible to any other elective office.
A number are serving on School Boards. They may sit on State Boards which are appointed by the Governor. They have done so only on the Board of Charities and Corrections and on that of the State Normal School.
There is no law requiring women physicians in any State institutions, or police matrons in any city. One has been appointed in Manchester.
Women may act as notaries public.
Occupations: On July 25, 1889, Chief Justice Charles Doe of the Supreme Court delivered the opinion that women may become members of the bar and practice in all the courts. No occupation or profession is legally forbidden. Ten hours are made a working day.
Education: The old college of Dartmouth at Hanover is for men only. The State Agricultural College at Durham admits both sexes.
In the public schools there are 256 men and 2,714 women teachers. The average monthly salary of the men is $69.75; of the women $40.59.