The daily press. (Cincinnati [Ohio) 1859-1859, 1859-03-07
SELECTIONS. s
A short Chapter on Divorce.


than thirty causes ok divorce, says the "Tri-
bune," are recognized ny tho statutes Of the diff
ferent States. In South Carolina not one has
ever beon obtained. In Virginia there are
three causes, namely: natural and incurable
impotency at the time Of marriage, idiotcy and
bgamy. In Alabama, adultery or two years
abandonment. In Rhode Island, impotency,
adultery, extreme cruelty, willful desertion for
the space of FIVE years, continued drunkenness,
neglect of the husband to provide necessaries
for the subsistence Of the wife, gross misbeha-
vior and wickedness repugnant to the marriage
contract. In New Jersey divorce Is granted
for prior existing marriage, adultery and will
full absence for FIVE years. In Vermont, for nom
age, mental incapaeity, impotency, force or
fraud, adultery, confinement in the State Prison
for three years or more, intolerable severity,
willful desertion for three years, absence for
seven years unhcard of, and where the husband,
being of ability, grossly and wantonly neglects
to provide for his wife. In Maine, for adultery
impotency, dcsertion for five years, joining the
Shakers for five years, confinement in the State
Prison Of any one of the United States for five
years, fraud in obtaining the consent of the other
party, habtual drunkenness for three years;
marriage with an Indian or mulatto is void, and
an imprisonment for felony in the State works
divorce without any judicial proceeding. In
Kentucky, for habitual drunkenness, ,condemna-
IlOn IOr lelOny, cruelty Ol Ine HuSuahu, anu ioA
several other causes which we forbeor to men
tion. In Illinois, for impotency willful desertion
fortwo years, extreme cruelty, habitual drunken
ness for two years. In Missouri, for adultery,
willful desertion for two years, conviction OF an
infamous crime, habitual drunkenness for two
years, cruel treatment endangering life, intoler-
able indignities, vagrancy Of the husband. In
Iowa the same causes exist as in Missouri, to
which is superadded "when the parties can not
live in peace and happiness, and their welfare
requires separation" The law Of Arkansas
is the same as in Missouri, except that one year s
absence is sufficient to free the abandoned party
from the bonds of marriage. In Tennessee and
Mississippi the law is nearly similar, while in
Florida to like enactments are added habitual
indulgence of violent and ungOvernabe temper
for one year, or drunkenness or desertion for
one year. In North Carolina, impotency,
adultery, abandonment, turning the wife out of
doors, cruelty and ndignity on the part Of the
husband, or any other just cause. In Texas,
impotency, excess, or cruel treatment, or out
RACES, or desertion for three years, the husband
may have divorce for adultery of the wife,
and the wife when the husband abandons her
and lives in adultery. In Maryland the law is
the same as in New York, except that abandon
ment and three years absence from the State is
II cause Of divorce. In Georgia the old Eng
lish ecclesiastical law governs In New Hamp-
shire and Ohio similar laws to those of YER
mont prevail. Extreme cruelty and absence for
three years are causes for divorce in Delaware,
to which Pennsylvania has added intolerable
indignities. Congress has never conferred the
power to grant divorce upon the Courts in the
District of Columbia.
DIVORCES TOO EASILY 0BTA1NED.-We think,
says the. Pittsburg "Journal," in commenting
upon a divorce case now before the Pennsylva-
MIA Legislature, the most discreditable phase
of public sentiment in this country is the IA
cility of obtaining divorces. We doubt whether
horse jockies trade and rue with the same fa.
cility that silly girls and boys marry and art
divorced. Our courts already have jurisdiction
in large classes of cases unwarranted by reason
and revelation. And, worst of all, wheneve
some silly girl that has money, changes he
mind, the Legislature is besieged to disgrace
the State by interfering to grant divorce. 1
Mrs. Fry has divorce granted her, then W,
recommend them to pass an act allowing ever
husband and wife that continue in huff fo
six hours without intermission, to be divorced
Fifty thousand married couple in Pennsylvania
could present just as good grounds for a divorc
rs Emily Fry; and if their fathers were as fool
ish Us Mrs Emily Fry's father has proved himsel
to be, might excite the community by applica
tons for divorce. Every right-thinking mai
in the State must disapprove Of all such appli
cations.
The " case" which suggested the above re
marks, may be briefly told. Some time in tn
summer of last year, q Mr.. Horace B. Fry,
broker of Philadelphia, in moderate circum
stances, married a Miss Emily Grigg, who's
father, Mr.. John Grigg, retired bookseller
was in affluent circumstances. The marriag
took place under the most favorable auspices
the parents of the bride cordially giving thei
consent to union evidently based on affectio
and mutual attachment. The young coupl
proceeded on a wedding tour. At West Poin
they "honeyed" about month, whom, alas
something occurred which suggested to MI
Fry the propriety of Immediately returnn
to Philadelphia. On Mrs. Fry's return home
she engaged in correspondence with cadc
at West Point, which being discovered by MI
Fry, an alteration arose, which was terminate
by the young married lady's abrupt departur
to her paternal home.
No sooner at home than, with the aid of he
fathers counsel and pocket, lawyers are are
tained," and petition, setting forth Mrs. Fry
grievances, is drawn up and presented to tn
Legislature of Philadelphia, praying for
special act of divorce. Mr.. Fry denies th
allegations of his wife, with but one exception
when he was provoked to use Crude" eS
preston; and he protests against any act
the Legislature in the premises, alleging this
the case, as being one of conflicting statement
of facts, can only be properly sifted in cou
Of law--to which he purposes to make appea