New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-01-21
4 DIVORCE CASE IN NEBRASKA

Is TIE COUNCIL. Jan

IL THE Council, Jan. 10, 1860.
BIZ TO divorce Margaret A. Depay and George Depgy
Mr.. Doane opposed the bill. He would inquire
what evidence the Committee to which this bill was
referred had received the merits of the bill.
Mr.. Dundy replied that the woman who sought ihie
divorce was poor, and unable TO pay the expense Of
procuring divorce in the Courts. Her husband had
deserted her, committed CRIME, and was now IN the
| Missouri Penitentary.
Mr.. Reeves thought that divorces should not be
granted by the Legislature. The plan was liable to
| abuse, as it was once in Kentucky. An anecdo's
would illustrate this: Divorces were at one tue
granted by the Kentucky Legislature to such an extent
/ thatno member ever inquired word about the bills
as they came up. A Nsgeish member one day intro
duced bill Cor divorce and it passed. Some weeks
AFTER old couple in the Sta who had lived together
IN perfect happiness for fifty years happened 10
learn, III looking over the newspaper that they were
no longer and wife, So, in obedieree 20 the laws
of their country they betook themselves sadly 10 sep
crate beds for the night but the next day, with many
tears oil anticipated sorrow and newborn 10Y, they
proceeded to neighboying magistrate and again
united in the bonds of welded bliss He Mr. Reeves
thought that his bachelor friend from Richardson, in
ardenty esPousing the cause of divorces was seek
lug TO iDgrsiiate himself into fminlne favor. He
moved to indefinitely postpone the bill.
Mr. Dundy said-Mr. President, it is true have
never yet enjoyed the hymeDes embraces Of lovely
Mrr. d. neither have suffered the fortunes of being
cribbed cabiHed, and confined" with a scoding wife
But Sir think the gentleman from 0toe, in his sllu-
sion TO my cherished celbaey, intended 10 make \
strike at the venerable bachelor President Of this
By thrusting the dagger into my side. Laughser.l
Sir, advocate this bill from principle. believe II 70
be morally well socially wrong 90 keep unhsppily
welded parties together I am in favor of granting
divorces 10 all parties who spplyto the Legislature for
them.
Mr.. Little gave notice of bis intention 10 introduce
bill to divorce all parties in the Territory Of Nebraska,
who deserve it. Laughter
Dir. Doane said we had evidence thar the husband
OF this woman was ia the Peniteniary OF that both
parties were not connying at this divorce Tor some
sinister purposee. There had been such abuses,
and he would instance case which harpsned In this
Legislature a few years ago.: Two parties were d.
yorced by the Legislatun of Nebraska, the nan and
woman 70 divorced immediately preenpted leo acres
of land Apiece and having proved 40 their title There
To- were married again the next dsy after. seeming
$50 acres of Lind by the operation lie thought there
were "axes TO grind" In all such csses.
The question then occurring upon The indefinite most.
ponenlent of the bill, it wss lost
Mr.. Little offered substitute bill 70 divorce al
marie parties In the Territory who desired n.
The President ruled il out of order
Mr. Boy KIN said he did not see how such biz eoulS
ersonaiy affect the President, Us no was bachelor
|LauRbter.l
Mr. Reeves moved to make the bill special order
or Friday next.
Mr. Doane moved to amend by striking out the
ecnon which gave the custody Of the infant child 70
he mother -
Mr.. Dundy moved to lay this amendment on the
able. Carried
mr. Reeves moved to amend by providing skat the
liyoree be snnulled II il should DO shown before
ourt of competent ursdiction that the husband has
rot been in the Missouri Penitentary, this seems 70
,e the chief ground OF the divorce.
Mr.. Dundy moved TO hay the amendment on the t.
be. Carried.
The bill was then read third time, and passed
Teas ., Nays5. .H