New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-05-08
TILE ASSEMBLY.

PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO TIE DIVORCE LAWS
CONVICT LABoR-COMMUTATIoN RATES on THE
NEw-HAvEN RAILROAD.
Iron THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF TIE TRIDUNE.l
ALBANY, May GA bill recently passed by
the Senate modifying the Divorce Law OF the state met
with considerable opposition I'm the Assembly when
came up for debate to-day The proposed law mOdlfcs
Section 40 Of the Divorce Law which reads "When
ever marriage shall be dissolved pursuant to the pro-
visions OF this article the complainant may marry again
during the lifetime Of the defendant; but defendant
convicted Of adultery shall marry again until the death
Of the complainant,"by adding the following Words
Unless the court in which the judgment OF divorce
rendered shan IN that respect modify such judg-
factory proof that the complainant has Icmaricd that
three years have elapsed since such marriage, and that
said marriage has been uniformly good"
MI Gilbert argued that II step toward pOlygamy
to pass such bill. ItWOuld greatly encourage imm0
raty I'm his opinion, and loosen tho family relation
Messrs Purdy and Bergen said that the b on the con-
trary was in the interests Of good morals that divorced
with impunity romarry in other States; that If
they were put upon their good behavior they would not
evade the law, hut would rather seek the consent Of
the Courts OF this State 10 Iemarry. Mr. Ora
ham said that Indidna's example was bad
one and ought not 10 DO followed by Eastern
states. Mr.. Allen said that the laws o. Eng
land had no restriction the right of person
divorced for adultery from marrying again. and yet the
sanctity of the marriage relation not appreciated
higher in any country. Mr. Converse said that the poo
pie of New-York had always beenproud Of Their divorce
Jaws, aud hc thought, desired 10 maintain them The
proposed law III ms opinion would be hp entering wedge
for the introduction OF the laws Of Indiana I'm
# England had relaxed its divorce laws, America
ought not 20 follow iis example. England permitted
husbands to moderately chastise their wives bat
America dd not think NJ passing such law. The prac
ucai tHaet OF inc pFol9seu l% "ou9 % 20 'g
was simply intended 20 meet a individual case.
The bill was finally reported TO the House from thu
Committee of the Whole, where Mr.. Gilbert moved that
its enactng clause be stricken ont lie said that his
main ground Of objection to the bill was that
il made the way OF the transRressOr easy in
stead Of lard. Englaud's example should not be
followed; II Was ruled by an arlatocracy, aud not
10y the great mass OF MS inhabitants, Who certainly
would prefer a slc1rr law TIE 99hence OF adultery
amendment to Mr. GADctls motnn tLat tht hll DE OF
dercd tnird reading He sad If The innocent party
to divorce ucd within hIleen minutes after the divorce
was granted the gnuiy arP Gohlu marry aEd'n accord
ing the present law. The offence then, would seem 20
De innocent PERSONS living. Otherwise the pun
shmCnt for persons divorced because OF adultery ought
20 be perpetual Mr. Brrgcn's motion 10 0mrr The Dill
to a third reading carried by vote Of 80 to 40.
The Assembly also debated at length Mr. browning
bill foIbdLiu the employment Of convict, in the State
prisons in making articles whose sale would compete
with that OF articles manufactured by wOrkingmcn. Mr.
AvoTd said that 1t too late in the session 10 pass
such law and moved that progress merely be reported
when the bill was reported from the committee
OF the Whole to the Assembly, however, Mr.. Browning
moved that be ordered to third reading, Messrs Beard
the PRISONS pointing to the large appropriations for the
support Of the prisons next year ~ proof that they
were not as self-sus aiming asserted Mr. skinner
Piled that the people OF the state had Formerly been
taxed a high a. 81 for the support Of the
urspns They had demanded reform In the management,
and as the result OF this demand a superintendent
bad been appointed, who In one years time
had made tho prisons almost sclfsustaniug, In his
opinion, the BIN under Consideration was an
entering wedge Of Communism. Mr.. Berry, OF Che
mango County, said that he had heard nothing which
convinced that the state ought Ia back 60 the old
system ~ prison management Moreover he would not
by his vote put the new management IN peril. Mr..
Noyc CayIga County, said that formerly, IN Auburn
Prison the prisoners were de but now they were busy
aud almost earning their own living lie did not believe
the state should backward IN the matter law had
been proposed fOrbidilug the making OF hats
by the convicts. II seemed absurd a. bin
10 forbid cOnycts manufacturing cheap hats for the
great body OF worinrmcn In the State, I'm order that
small portion Of that body who made hats might be
bcnCnted. Mr.. BTOwHings motion 20 order the b TO
"a thrd reading was nevertheless carried by vote Of
81 b THIS does not however assure the passage of
the b Mr. Fish. Mr. Aston. and others voted for the
motion, Wh0 VIII doubtless vote against The BIZ Whenit
comes up for a final vote.
Mr. Mollpr's bill compelling the New-IIaven Railroad
Company 10 lower the Communication rates Its road In
this state was ordered 20 Third reading despite the
earnest opposition Of Mr.. Fish and others. Mr.
Hcnrys bI lowering the price for the transportation
Of milk into Ncw-York City from points within 100
miles Of thai place 10 four cents gallon, was also Or
lCTcd 10 a third reading.