The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-21
ROMANCE IN DIyORcE Law.
The Act OF the Legislature which win Make
ut Least Two Persons Happy.

Within the last week the Legislature OF
the State OF New York has enacted. and the Gov
ernor approved. an alteration in the divorce
laws OF this State. which has Il curious history
The bill provides. among other things. that
whenever marriage shall be dissolved pur-
suant to the provisions of the law the complain
ant may marry again during the lifetime OF tho
defendant: but no defendant convicted OF adul-
terry shall marry again until the death OF the
complainant. unless the court in which tho
judgment OF divorce was rendered shall in that
respect modify such judgment. and such modi-
hcation shall only be made upon satisfactory
rroof that the complainant has married again (;
that i've years have elapsed since the decree OF
divorce WAS granted. anu the conduct OF the de-
fendant since the dissolution OF the marriage
has been uniformly good.
The change effected in the law lies in the pro-
vision permitting the defendant In a divorce
SUIT TO marry again under any circumstances
during the plaintiffs lifetime. and on this
hingcs.a story, Originally introduced by Sem
nrered by Ambrose II. Purdy in the lower
House It was laughed out OF the Legislature
last winter. with only five or six votes in the
Assembly. and Mr.. William Cntlin of West
chester County in whose behalf 1t was intro
hcar,ened. He has however been more sue
cesstul this winter. and may now apply to the
Supreme Court for modification OF the decree
granted against him more than five years ago
BY that tribunal.
William Catlin. Of the old New York family OF
that name. is now about 80 years Of age hand
some Of commanding presence. and the master
Of large estate. Eleven or twelve years ago.
at the age OF 10. Mr. Catlint married the only
Surrogate Of this county. Miss Marian Brad
ford. the senior Of Mr.. Catlin by Ave years was
dssning woman OF society, aeeompIished.
was natural for II youth OF his magnificent
physique. was fond OF athletic sports. boxing.
rowing, wrestling, and was "A familiar figure in
the various gymnasiums in the city. The pair
did not get on well together. Mrs. Catin WAS
engrossed with the affairs OF fashiouable So
ciety, fond Of parties and balls and the groom
was only bored by these effrminate pleasures.
They lived life OF dispute and alteration for
a nElN ssl.t .l.
they occupied separate apartments and finally
Mrs. Catln procured divorce for adul-
terry in the Supreme Court the case going be-
fore referee and being settled with as little
publicity as possible The ill-starred marriage
was without issue. and there were consequently
lew social complications 10 be COPIED with. A
decree OF absolute divorce was granted TO Mrs.
Cathn. and as soon as propriety would permit
the laws OF this State, the defendant was EN-
Joined from contracting marriage during the
any serious hardship in this decree until four
years ago. when he made the acquaintance of a
wealthy lady residing near 1onk"rs. the daugh-
ter OF n former Judge Of the Supreme Court.
who encouraged his addresses. bur declined 10
contract what both she and her friends regarded
as an illegal marriage sort OF conditional
marriage engagement was accordingly entered
iuto, the lady insisting that the ceremony should
be performed in this State. and that only after all
legal impeachment should he removed. II was ms
vain that New Jersey or Connecticut ceremony
was urged by the ardent lover. The lady was
procedure. Under the circumstances, there
was no remedy except in legislation. and Srnn-
tor Wagstan rs 4 mutual friend OF the parties.
Was called in. This was three years ago. The
senator saw the remedy at a glance. provided
the Legislature could be induced to take an in
terest in the romance. and the result was that a
bill was drawn and introduced in the winter Of
1867, and Mr.. Catlin went to Albany TO press
It's passage. The effort was unsuccessful. Mr..
Chtlin was introduced 10 everybody. but the
idea seemed too amusing. At the last session
the bill met q, worse fate; 1t was laughed into
oblivion as Catlin's till.
But persistence accomplishes wonders, Sem
ator Wngstaff again introduced the bill this ses-
sion. and. moved by the circumstances dis
closed, the Legislature passed IT, the Governor
Supreme Court in a few days asking for mod
lncatlon OF the decree In the case OF Catlin
against Callln tried more than I'VE years ago.
i IS understood that Mrs Eddy formerly Mrs.
Catllnl who is happy IN her new relation, will
not oppose the modification OF the decree or re-
call her old life by taking any interest in the
Mr.. Ambrose II. Purdy. who was one OF the
principal supporters of the bill ut the last SEES
sion said Yesterday that there WAS great diff
ference in legal opinions respecting the pro-
prety OF the new law. He advocated II herause
no thought II a measure OF public benefit for
the relief OF parties who would else get married
~ another state, The question whether "A New
/ YORK court could annul Il marriage contracted
by Il defendant in defiance of its decree in an
other State was now before the courts in Iii
Norce case. IN which this state Of facts appea red
| The lady applying for the decree having been
whom she knew 10 be- enioined from contracting
an alliance by decree OF the supreme Court
here. 5 he had. nevertheless. applied for di-
! NOrce, knowing that her husband WAS in con
| signed By the Governor was. Mr.. Purdy says
originally rejected on the plea that 1t would tend
! CHtlin Will npply 10 the Supreme Court At an
| tarlv date Tor leave 10 marry the woman who
ma, waited Tor him four years, and for whose
| HcatlOn OF the divorce law OF the State.