Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-02-26
CAUSES OF DIVORCE THE SEVERAL
STATES

More than thirty causes of divorce are recog-
nlIed by the statutes Of the different States In
south Carolina not one has ever been obtained;
IN Virginia there are three causes, namely
natural and incurable impotency at the time If
the marriage, idiocy and bigamy; in Alabama,
adultery. OF two years abandonment; in Rhode
Island. lmpJtency, adultery, extreme cruelty.
wilful desertiOn for The space Of five years con
unued drunkenness, neglect of the husband to
provide DecessaTies for the subsistence of the
WIFE gross misbehayior and wickedness rrpuc-
nant 10 the marriage contract; in New jersey
divorce is granted for prior existing marriage,
adultery, and wilful absence for FIVE years; in
Vermont for homage, mental Incapacity impO-
tency. force OF fraud, adultery, confinement in
the State prison for three years or more. intol-
ersble severity. wilfUl deSertiOn for three
years absence for seven years unheard of and
where the husband, being Of ability grossly
and WantOnly neglects tn UprOvide for his wife;
IN Maine, for adultery, impOtency. desertion for
five years. jOining the Shakers for FIVE years
confinement in the State prison Of any of the
United States for five years fraud in obtaining
the consent of the other party, habitual drum
kennesS Tor three ycars-a marriage with an
Indian or mulattO l. Woodland imprisoDment
for felony in the State works divorce without
any judicial proceeding; in Kentucky. for ha-
bituGl drunkenness. condemnation for felony
cruelty Vt the husband. and for several other
causes which we fOrbear TO mention; in Hi
nOis. for imp1teney, adultery, Wilful deserlion
for two years. extreme cruelty. habitusl drunk
eDReS- for two years; in Missouri. for adultery
wilful deSeTii0n for two years, conviction of an
infamous crime, habitual drunkenness for two
years. cruel treatment endangering life, intol-
erable indignities. r0gTaRcy of the husband;
in Iowa the same causes exist rs in Missouri
to which l. suPeradicd. when the parties
cannot live in peace and happiness, and their
welfare requires II separation; the law of Ar
kansas is the same in Missouri, except that
enc years absence l. sufficient 10 free the
abandoned party from the bonds Of marriage:
In Tennessee and Mississippi the law is nearly
similar; while IN Florida, to like cnact ctments
are added h1fbItUGt IHdNLge1cs of rtOieRt anil
IAMgOrCTHGbfe temper for one year or drunk
enness or desertion for one year; in North
Carolina, imp"tency and adultery abandon
meni. turning the wife out of doors cruelty or
in.ligni;y on the part of the husband or ann
other inst e4HSe; in Texas, impO.cncy excess
90 cruel treatment. or Outrages or desertion for
three years; the husband may have a divorce
for the adultery of the wife. and the wife when
the husband abandons her and lives in adulte-
~; in Maryland the law is the same a. in New
York. except that abandonment and three
v"rre; in Georgia the old English &C ;lesiastical
lSv governs; in New Hampshire and Ohio SIM
liar laws To those in Vermont prevail; extreme
cruelty and absence for three years are causes
for divorce in Delaware, To which Pennsylva-
Ma hss added intolerable indignities Congress
h,s never conferred the power TO grant divorce
uDon the courts in the District Of Columbia
" Y. T5iiaHs.