Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1847-01-16

accord
ingly.
C-TSixtcen lines or less make 4 square,
require Legislative interpositon can but seldom
occur, unless the wide range of the &C, of 1915
is extended Beyond reasonable limits
The signing OF bills for dissolving the bonds
OF matrimony has always been to me perplex-
ing duty. have hitherto given my assent To
them, confding in the Judgment and dscre-
ton OF the representatives of the people, 10
whom, md not to the Executive, the fncts of
each case are submitted But upon review
of the sVecial divorces granted since the enact
ment of the act of 1915, it appesrs that there
hes been all alarming increase of them, which
should, in my opinion, be arrested. Durng tho
first period of ten years after the passage Of the
said act, laws were passed for dvorcing the
parties to s,rteen marriage contracts during
the next ten years. forty.t,oo, and during the
last ten years, ninety were passed.
know Of no change in the habits, manners,
or condition ofthe citizens Of the State, in their
social relations. or in the increase Of their num-
ber that accounts for, or warrants this increase
of divorces. 1t is possible that the cause of 1t
may in degree be found in the facility of OBJ
tanning Legislation on the subject. WIthUu; fur.
ther inquiry into the cause the effect is, IN INV
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 a.
dultery, or to pass them under the provisions Of
the Constitution of the United States, that no
State shall pass any law imparlng the obliga-
ton OF contracts, it seems to be concealed, a.
gainst the opinions of many wise and good men
that the power may be consti,uionnly exer-
cised but in view Of these opinions, the es-
trerne delicacy and responsibility of granting
these applications, appear in strong ligh,.
Under the marriape contract, important and
valuable rights are vested in the parties, and
heavy responsibilities are nssurncd which should
not be disturbed even when The 00vr- tn m
terfere is ungrestionahle, without LEGAL notice
TO the party who s 10 be effected BY the pro-
cecding, and fair and open trial. the right 10
which cannot be doubted and can only be Sc.
cured by referring the parties 10 the judicial
tribunals.
| In every view ! can take of this interesting
subject, am persuaded that these special lepis.
! iative divorces, have a dangcrou, tendency,
and That II the power TO grant them is exercised
at all, proper regard !or the public welfare
requires that it should te limited 10 cases of OK.
trcme hardship and unoues,unable propric,y.
The progress Of our age in civilization, has
been distinguished in PENNSYLVANIA. bv The
nmeioration Of the penal code, and her improy-
ed prison discipline. The organization OF her
] peni,entiarios, their domestic economy, and the
care and attention to the support. cleanlness
industry, and moral instruction of their inmates
have secured the general appreciation and con.
hdence OF our own citizens. and have excited
the admiration of other States and nations, and
furnished models for their in,i,ston The PHI
adelphia society for allevia,ing the mis- cries Of
public prisons, has exercised and efficient apcn- :
cy in producing these valuable results In or
der that all the benefits of experience NAV 10
had and improved, they submit the ptopr:ety Of
making provision by law for obtaining. annual.
ly, accurate Information relative TO the convic.
Il tons for crime the character of the criminals,
the condition and expenses of the penitentsfics
ard prisons ofthe Commonweal,h, and the costs
Of supporting the convicts.
The motives OF this society are so disnleres =
ed, and the reasons they assign for collecting
the information required, are SO conclusive, ard
so ably represented in a communication which
have received from them, that | take sres,
pleasure in transmitting copies of it herewith
in order that the philanihropic views Of the So
ciety, and the Importance of the SUBJECT may
receive that early attention Of the General A
, sembly which they so richly merit,
The government of Pennsy vania, and her
literary. charitable and benevolent institution,
are among the first and bes'. The people A..
industrious, intelligent and erserprizing. IL
time of peace, quiet and unootrusve--n war
J firm and decided Bassed in her physical re-
) source, and her irstii0ions. and animated b,
} the spirit OF her holy religion, her onward
course in improving her social condition is "a
pid. The grea, element of preserving, enarg
ing and perpetuaiing her greatness, is the uni
versal education Of her youth. In this, too. sh,
has for anumber ofyears advanced with the vigo
by which all her great efforts are distinguish
J ed. The able report OF the Superintendent
preeents the sieady and Uniform progress of tht
: nystem oy common school instruction. Thst i
is ye; imperfect and to some extent inefficient
; may be freely admitted; bat. who can doub
that the wisdom and energy which commenced
: will mature and perfect il.
In Conclusion. gentlemen, accept assurance
: of my hearty cooparston with you in all mea
sures for advancing tha welfare Of our citizens
and maintaining the honor and dignity ofour be
: loved Commonwealth. FRS. r. SKUNK
e EXECurIvE CHAMBER,
Harrisburg, January d, 1917.
BLIND Man TRAVELLING hfoNE All. ovK'
: THE WoRip The Liverpool, (Env J Mercur,
, of Oct so hss ne f.'lovr~ 'Dr-s '-arh