The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-12-31

In the Cincinnati Gazette Of yester-
day we find the following card from
Rev. DR.. Lilienthal, the Jewish
Rabbi:
To the Editor OF the Cincinnati Gazette:
I have the honor of inclosing here
with q copy OF the letter received from
the Governor Of Indiana, regarding
the divorce laws Of that State.
On the 18th instant / took the Lbs
erty Of petitioning his Excellency to
recon- mend in his annual message to
the Legislature Q reform OF the di-
vorce laws, as they now stand on the
statute book Of Indiana, stated
how obnoxious and injurious these
laws were to the marital relations of
all the States of the Union. l quoted
the words used by the Probate Court
of this city, during o trial last Sum
mer. declaring that these laws were
an outrage against society and cur
civilization. / alluded to the indig-
nation now aroused In the city of
New York by the Richardson and
mcfarland tragedy; and l Informed
his Excelleney, also, of the objection
raised by the Rabbinical Conference
of Philadelphia against these laws,
when they declared all jewish laws in
this department to be adapted to the
law of this country.
L was not aware that the Legisla-
ture of Indiana was not going to meet
till 1871. / had last year an under
standing with DR.. II. Higbee, member
of the House, by which a motion to
that effect would have been brought
DcIUa -. H. -@ees.s4atutO. L. our Dlan
was frustrated by the abrupt adjourn
ment Of thu same.
As the Governor cheerfully prom
Uses his cooperation for this salutary
change of the divorce laws, aud as
other prominent citizens Of our neigh
horipr sister State are willing to assist
him il the carrying out Of this propo-
sition, there IS not the least doubt
that the Well-meant recommendation
OF the Governor will be acted upon
without delay by both House AID
Senate. Dir. LILIENTHAL.
CINcINNATI, December p.
STATE OF INDIANA, EXECUTIVE DEPT,
INDIANAPoLIs, Dec, p, 1862. !
O. DR.. Max Liliemthal, Rabbi Mound street
Temple, CINCINNATI ohio;
DEAR SIR: have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt Of your com
munication on the 14th inst, in rela-
ton to the divorce laws of this State,
and suggesting the propriety of my
recommending their amendment to
the Legislature.
In response thereto, | beg to say
that you are mistaken in supposing
that the General Assembly of this
State will be in session during the com
ing month. On the contrary, there will
be no session of our Legislature until
January, 1871, unless some emer-
gency, not now anticipated and likely
10 occur, should render it necessary
10 call a special session.
concur fully in your view as to
the necessity of a reformation of our
laws governing the subject Of divorce,
and shall In future, as L have in the
past, labor TO accomplish that end
Before Governor MOrton's cleo
ton to the United State Senate, aud
while | was presiding over the State
Senate, L prepared a bill making the
most radical changes in our divorce
laws, and in The conduct Of proceed
ings to obtain divorces.
This bill was introduced, and
passed the Senate. but did not pass
the House.
= At the last session | would have
introduced the subject in my message
to the Legislature, but for two con-
sideratiOns, VIZ:
Il. The message was longer than
desired it to be, without Introducing
this topic.
-. / hoped to be able to get tht
matter introduced and carried, with
out discussing it in the message.
/ shall not hesitate at the meeting
Of the Legislature, if my life is spared
20 commend this much needed reform
to the attention Of the General r..
sembly.
You speak Of your conference a
Philadelphia, adapting the jewish
divorce laws to those of this country
Will you be so kind as TO inform M
what are the regulations of the jew
ish divorce laws, as modified by you
cunference2 To other words, what d
the orthodox Jews in this countr
recognize as valid causes for the de
creeing Of divorces?
[ have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
TSignsd7 "CONRAD BAKER"