Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1847-01-14


act of 1915, it appears that there has been An
alarming increase OF them, which should, IN my
opinion, be arrested. During the first period of
ten years after the passage Of the said act, laws
were passed for divorcing the parties OF slrteen
marriage contracts; during the next ten years,
forty-two, and during the last ten years, ninety
were passed.
know of no change in the habits, manners,
or condition of the citizens of the State, in their
social relations, or in the increase of their num-
Der, that accounts for, or warrants this increase
of divorces. 1t is possible that the cause of it
may in a degree be found in the facility of OBJ
tanning legislation on the subject. Without
further inquiry into the cause, the effect is, in
my judgment, injurious to the public welfare,
and should be strictly guarded against in future.
Whatever doubts may have been, or are now
entertained, of the power of the Legislature to
pass divorce laws, for any other cause than adul-
terry, or to pass them under the provisions OF the
Constitution of the United States, that no State
shall pass any law impairing the obligation of
contracts, it seems to be conceded, against the
opinions of many wise and good men. that the
power may be constituiionally exercised; but in
view of these opinions, the extreme delicacy
and responsibility of granting these applications,
appear in a strong light.
Under the marriage contract, important and
valuable rights are vested in the parties, and
heavy responsibilities are assumed which should
not be disturbed, even when the power to inter-
fere is unquestonable, without legal notice to
the party who is to be affected by the proceed
ing, and fair and open trial, the right to which
cannot be doubted, and can only be secured by
referring the parties to the judicial tribunals.
In every view | can take of this interesting
subject. am persuaded that these special legs-
lative divorces have dangerous tendency, and
that if the power to grant them is exercised at
all, proper regard for the public welfare re-
ouires that it should be limited TO cases of ex-
treme hardship and unquestionable propriety.
The progress of our age in civilization has
been distinguished in Pennsylvania, by the anne
Iteration of the penal code, and her improved
prison discipline. The organization of her pen
itentiaries, their domestic economy, and the
care and attention TO the support, cleanliness,
industry, and moral instruction of their inmates,
have secured the general appreciation and con-
hdence Of our citizens, and have excited the ad-
mlration OF other States and nations, and fur !
nished models for their imitation. The Phila- |
delphia society for alleviating the miseries of
public prisons, has exercised an efficient agen-
cy in producing these valuable results In Or
der that all the benefits of experience may be |
had and improved, they submit the proprety of
making provision by law for obtaining, annual |
ly, accurate information relative to the convic-
tons for crime, the character of the criminals,
the condition and expenses of the pententiaries |
and prisons of the Commonwealth, and the costs
of supporting the convicts.
The motives of this sociery are so disinter- |
ested, and the reasons they assign for collect
ing the information required, are so conclusive,
and so ably represented in a communication
which | have received from them, that take |
great pleasure III transmitting copies of it here
with, in order that the philanthropic views of
the society. and the importance of the subject,
may receive that early attention of the General
Assembly which they so richly merit.
The government of Pennsylvania and her |
literary, charitable and benevolent institutions,
are among the first and best The people are
industrious, intelligent, and enterprising In !
time of peace. quiet and unobtrusive--n war,
firm and decided. Blessed in her physical re-
sources and her institutions, and animated by
the spirit of her holy religion, her onward
course in improving her social condition is rapid
The great element of preserving, enlarging and
perpetuallng her greatness, is the universal ed
ucation of her youth. In this, too, she has for
number of years advanced with the vigor by |
which all her great efforts are Distinguished
The able report of the Superintendent presents
the steady and uniform progress of the system
OF common school instruction. That it is vet
imperfect, and to some extent inefficient, may
be freely admitted but, who can doubt that the
wisdom and energy which commenced, will ma
ture and perfect it.
In conclusion gentlemen, accept assurances
of my hearty cooperation with you in all meas
ures for advancing the welfare of our citizens, !
and maintaining the honor and dignity of our
beloved Commonwealth
FRS. R. SKUNK.
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
Harrisburg, January 6, ls47.