The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-02
THE HOME or FREE DIVORCE
Arizona Taking the Place that was once
FILLED by Indiana.

from NJ SIN Pruncisoo Neiss LITER
A learned Judge OF Arizona writes us as
follows Arizona legislation upon marriage
contracts having recently boon brought promi-
nently before tho public. by the offensive nOto-
rioty OF the Smith Carpenter scandal. it be-
comes perfectly proper to notice some Of the
Legislative acts upon this subject Before doing
go. however, it Is proper to state that Arizona
has very good divorce law. giving to the Dis
trict Courts exclusive Jurisdiction in such INIT
ters. To decree divorce. upon proof for certain
causes, and only when tho applicant shall have
resided i'm the Territory for ono year immedi-
atelv preceding the application
But 1t seems that this wise and well -consid-
cred law did not suit the purposes OF some who
unfortunately wcro in position 10 mould tho
moral sentiment and political opinion VI the
country. Tor Mt the Legislative session Of 1873
we find an act OF the Legislature divorcing the
Governor OF the Territory from his wife. which
act seems TO have Afforded a distinguished pre-
cedent for all subsequent legislation upon this
subject.
At tho session Of 1875 no net Of divorce was
passed. but ut tho session Of 1877 no less than
nine parties were divorced by special acts, in
GLIDING one Of the members OF the Legislature {:
and whit is most remarkable IL. that all these
nino acts seem 10 have been passed upon tho
same day. rs they were all approved Feb. q
1877. tSre Laws OF Arizona. 1877. page l6 to 81
both incusivcD
From the meaRre reports Of Legislative pro-
ceelings, the present session will fully equal
the last In tho number Of divorce nets. and in
one respect going Tar beyond anything ever
contaminated by tho DISTINGUISHED gentleman
who had the honor OF inauguraing this novel
plan Of ." divorces made cnsy" g.. for hereto
fore these Acts were confined To residents of the
TorrtQry; but the present august legislative
Assembly nrc not inclined To be circun,scribrd
hy territorial, state. or national hOundnrirs. so
that parties IN New York or New, England,
Mexico or British Coumhiu. are Liable To find
themselves divorced, without even their knowl-
edge or consent. by al act Of tho lcaislntlve
Assembly of Ari2Ona-if such acts arc OF legal
and binding force.
- II will not bo pretended by any ono that DR..
Smith was n resident of Arizona. or that he was
d ~ ~ al "a "a =
proof. any Facts. any reason upon which to act.
And surely, as matter Of ,uuhlic policy. and
good morals, no court Will hold an act OF tho
Kind rs legally binding in any case.
EXTRACT PROM LEGisLATGvE PROCEEDINGS.
HOUSE or HlTkEsESTATIYEs.
PREscQTr. ARIZONA Territory. Feb. 5,-Mr.
Alsop OF inc judiciary Commiieo made the
Mir. speaker-Your Committee on Judiciary.
TO- whom was referred II. y. No II, An Mt to
divorce CnndciariO Arnold from The honds nt
mairimouy heretofore existing with William II.
Arnold" have had the same Till under cnnsld-
Grafton, as well us other hills Of tho same ma
ture. and herewith report them in substitute
for said bill. and re- commend the adoption aud
passage OF said substitute. John Il. Asop, for
Substitute To IT, b. No. II. An act to divorce
Candelario Arnold from the bonds Of ma;ri-
mony heretofore existing with William Il. Ar
mold entitled. An act 10 divorce certain par
ties from the bonds OF mHrnftny heretofore
existing, was read. on motion OF Mr.. Alsop.
On motion Of Mr.. Alsop. tho rules were sus-
pended. IL. -. No. II WAS considered. ensrossed.
read II third time by title, put upon It's final pas
sage aud passed by the following vote:
NEAs-Alson, Bunum. Hehan. Fitch Hamilton Loitch.
Meade, Ncors. PARA, furds, stu,on enf speedy
SAN--DaNls cAtcrr. RumLclg. Vail. and Acting
Speaker AbsynL Mr Fay.
Feb. G. 1s79.-Mr purdy moved that the vote
by which the substitute To- II. b. No. u was
passed he roconsid"rel. On his own motion.
tho motion 10 reconsider was mid ON the table.
In the above named Till. No. II. wis included
tho smith case. but np mention of II IL made in
any way IN the published Proceedings. Who
can the other thirteen lucky couples be 2 Arc
there any moro rrrreant Caiii0rniaus2