The state journal. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1883-1885, 1885-01-10

poverty. This is true whether
The Qualification consists in the
ownership OF property. or the
navment of a tax. In point OF fact
however, the money qualification re-
ouired bv our law is no qualification at all,
and kepns alive an odlous discrimination
without the slightest effect in limiting the
Suffrage. but giving opportunity for the
worst evils of corrupt partisan cnntrol of
the ballot. 1t is preposterous to suppose
that citizen otherwise qualified for an
I intelligent exercise of the right of suf-
| frarc is made anv more so by the payment
| of fifty cents, or that one disquali-
| fed without such payment is habilitated
with the high attributes of sovereign
elector by contributing half dollar to
the public treasury. regret the end in
view cannot be accomplished expedi.
| tiously by the passage of an ordinary
| statute, and that this relic of an age and
theory inimical to free representative gov
crnment requires the slow process Of a
constitutional amendment for its eradica-
ton.
Too Many Divorces Granted.
Our Commonwealth has Of late years
obtained a notoriety, which all good citi-
zens must deplore, as place where de-
| crees of divorce may be easily and quickly
| obtained Persons desiring to relieve
| themselves of the duties and restraints OF
marriage have found that the laws of the
| State Of Pennsylvania present desirable
| facilities for the accomplishment
of their purpose. Our courts
have come to exhibit record of DEGREES
annulllng the marriage relation startling
| in their number and history, and that
| must shock the conscience Of all thought
| full people, as it has already been the Oc-
casion for reproach by the citizens of
| other localities. 1t is undoubtedly fact
| susceptible of proof by judicial records,
| and within the knowledge of every
attorney in general practice, that
parties in other states desiring to lay
aside irksome conjugal ties, acquire
| temporary residence here for the sole
| purpose Of obtaining the expeditions re-
| lief which the liberal divorce laws OF our
| Commonwealth permit. Those laws and
| the practice obtaining under them seem
| to be based upon the principle that di-
! vOrces are q thing to be facilitated by
| the Ssate, and their procurement
made easy, prompt, secret and cheap.
! Some Of those provisions do actually
!
wives to seek the dissolution of their mar
rage ties. What other construction can
be put upon The law that allows divorces
for desertion extending for the period of
| two wears, but permits proceedings to be
| instituted within six months after such
| desertion began? In other words appli-
| cation is permitted to be made when the
| offcnse is only one fourth consummated,
! 49, Of n
| extent required by law. Steadily since
1915 our laws have been opening the
! door of escape from the marriage state
wider and wider, relaxing the restraints
| and destroying the sOlemnity OF tina sa-
| cred relation. Each of the successive
| acts of 1917, 1850, 1854, 1855, 1853 and
1859, have been either extensions Of the
| causes Of divorce, or Of the jurisdiction OF
| the courts as to persons or SUBJECT matter,
| At the same time, the rules OF practice OF
| the courts, following the bent OF Ieglsa-
| ton, have made smooth and easy the
processes which bring death to the holy
| Institution which is at the base of all pri-
| vate virtue social safety and national hope.
This is matter that deeply concerns
the State, and no subject presents stronger
claims upon the General Assembly for
earnest consideration and effective reform.
| The Government whose laws fail to sur
| round the citadel of the family with rea-
| sonable guards, exposes the fortress OF
| its power to the most insidlOus and de-
structivc of foes. 1t is no doubt true that
laws cannot make people ylrtu0us, Dul
they can prevent vice from having free
| sway, and bringing its evil effects upon
the innocent and detenceless. Herein,
-, & Tn nrrTnr no -
| function of human government.
There are two lines upon which the
Legislature may move in proceeding to
correct this abuse. One is in providing q
| more rigorous and less expeditions divorce
! law, and the other such legislation as will
tend to prevent hasty and i'll assorted
marriages These remedies are helpful
| Of each other, as the evils which they are
| intended to correct are really productive
| of each other. Hasty marriages are
| prolific parent of divorce, as strict laws
| and healthful sentiment upon the sub
| iect of the indissoluble character of mat
rimony are restraint upon imprudent
! marriages.
invoke for this subject the thoughtful
attention of the Legislature, and submit
| for their consideration in this behalf the
| following Suggestions
| 1st. The requirement of q residence
| in this State of at least two consecutive
| years Immediately preceding the COM
mencement of any action for divorce.
! 2l. That malicious desertion as
ground for divorce shall have continued
for and during the space of at least three
/ years Immediately before the commence
ment of any action for that cause.
Sd. If cruel and barbarous treatment
! shall be continued as cause for divorce,
it shall be actions by the wife only, and
/ shall be confined to actual violence TO the
| person.
4th. Limiting the jurisdiction of our
| courts in actions for divorce to causes
occurring while the persons were bona
A! tide residents of this State.
9Th. The prohibition of marriage by
the guilty party in decree of divorce
during the lifetime of the other, and de-
claring all such marriages void in Penn
solvania, whether contracted here or
| elsewhere.
9Th. The making it a misdemeanor,
punishable by fine and imprisonment, for
any magistrate or clergyman to marry
any minor or other persons in violation
! Of law.
More Stringent Liquor Laws Necessary.
The attention of the General Assembly
is called to the need of some legislation
regulating the sale of intoxicating liquors.
! The State has the same warrant for legis-
lating upon this subject that it has upon
the subject of marriage and divorce
the right inherent in every organized
community to protect itself from in
jury, or the liability thereto, re-
sulting from the acts of persons
within its lawful jurisdiction. 1t is un-
necessary, however, to attempt to adduce
arguments in support Of the legality of