Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-01-11
CIR Gssrs Cpaaig 4srald.
ISLAND POND. JAN. II. 1854.
GREAT NEED.

Nearly every one who has given
any attention to the condition Of the
divorce laws Of this country has
been impressed with the need, SOON
er or iater, of some action on the
part of Congress looking to uni
formity. On no point has there
been greater harmony of opinion, or
mere said. But as yet no practical
measure has been proposed that
seems to have in it SO much of value
as the suggestion of Rev. S. w.
bike. In note to The Tribune he
intimates that Congress could not
spend a few thousand dollars more
wisely than in commission to ip-
quire into the whole subject of di-
vorce and marriage laws, and SO get
at the facts. The Tribune, in an ed
itorial, warmly commends the pro-
posal, and a memorial to the same
effect has been prepared to be Of
fered to the Senate.
We heartily recommend that such
an inquiry be made as soon as posi-
BILE, either by commission (Which
seems the better way, or by the
special agency Of one of the depart
ments. The general demand for
some action to secure uniformity in
divorce laws, the recent disclosures
of the wretched condition of the
marriage laws in this state and the
connection between divorce, unchas-
tity and crime, justify a most
searching investigation of the whole
subject of the Family. The De-
partment of State promptly took up
the request of MIR. Dixie, that as
thorough inquiry as possible be
made into the various evils affecting
the family in Europe with especial
reference to the classes emigrating
to this country, and have compre-
hensive circular nearly ready to send
to our consuls. When the results
of this. can be studied, we shall be
in far better condition than hitherto
to understand some Of the evils with
which foreign emigration threatens
us, Congress certainly should make
like provision for ascertaining oul
own condition for the two inquir.
les supplement each other. 1t has
provided information for almost eY-
cry conceivable kind that may be
useful in understanding our mate
rial resources and their uses. 1t in
vcstigates agriculture, manufacture
commerce, and, latterly, the census
considers the state of the crimina
and defective classes. But il
strangely neglects, save in Utah
any care for the condition of thu
Fundamental institution of society
1t is about time that official atten
ton, which has long investigated
cattle, pigs and sheep and their dis
eases, should look into the infinitely
more important, even from the Low
commercial point Of view, matter
of social life. The provision that i
now made for the study and treat
ment of the ripened harvest of crim'
should be accompanied with consid
Grafton of its origin in weak or col
,.rupt homes.
In any case let us have an inquir
into the laws, and their operation
of marriage and divorce Mr.. Dix
gives a single striking Instance Q
the need of this when he espresso
dissent from the general convictlo
that a large part Of the evils of d
yorce are due to the conflicting law
Of the several states. lie give
cautiously, his opinion that the vas
majority Of divorces granted in II
,ral countries and in those containin
only small cities, especially in I'll
East, are to actual residents, an
saws there is some statistical proc
to show that it is in these that tt
divorce rate is generally highest,
this be probable, there is the mo-
need that the facts be known. o.
concern for report by the Nation
Government is increased by the d
sire to know just how badly poi
oned the little and generally pur
springs arc, that give the most II
merous, and, together, the large
supplies to the volume Of nation
life. And the whole discussion
the question of uniform divorce Ia
aswall as the problem of reforr
state by state, requires just the
formation such commission won
supply, and which no ether measu
could rive us so cheaply and so we