Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1886-07-07

In discussing one Oh Che most important
social topics OF the day the philosopher OF
the New York Mail and Express discourses
as follows:
"In all the relations OF lie that Of mar
riase is the most important in it's bearings
upon the morals and prosperity of the
community. Civilization may be guaged
by the estimate in which the marriage tie if
held. The happiness OF the individual, the
family, the state are all bound up in the
proper observance Of the marriage contract
by men and women who are to be the pa
rents OF it's future generations.
The principal points in connection with
the marital status with which the state has
to do are first, the parties who may con
tract it.; second, the recognition OF it after
it is legally contracted, and finally the
means, other than by the laws OF nature
by which it may be annulled and ter
minated.
In Great Britain much trouble has
arisen by reason OF the conflict of laws il
regard to the solemnity and binding force
of marriages solemnized in one Of thu
national divisions as tested by the laws o
the other. Scotch and Irish marriages
have been held void in England In many
cases. This has been regarded as a great
evil, and legislation has endeavored tt
change it.
Unfortunately, the same incongruous con
dition of affairs has obtained in this coun
try. In most OF the States bigamy is 9
crime, and the offspring OF a bigamous
marriage is held Legitimate. In Utah, il
is only Of recent years that polygamy has
been punished as a crime, and even nov
is only an offense punished by a small fine
and short imprisonment.
Outside of the great Mormon blot. Their,
are other strange conflicts in the laws in re
gard to matrimony, particularly upon tn
subject OF divorce. Many Western ant
Southern States allow the tie Of matri
mony to be dissolved upon numerous pre-
texts: adultery, desertion OF longer Of
shorter duration, failuret TO provide, cruelty
drunkenness, incompatability OF temper
and in one. Territory, any cause which tn
uuSc may ueeM 6OuICleuG. LII New 1OTf
and other States adultery is the sol
ground, while in South Carolina divorce!
are not allowed for any cause.
As q result OF this strange discrepanc.
cases occasionally arise such as that of DR.
Warren, at Syracuse, New York. DR.. War
rem married q wife in New York, moved tt
Nebraska, procured a divorce on the grount
OF the desertion of his wife and then re
turned to New York and married again. HI,
was then arrested for bigamy and eons ictet
of the crime because the law OF New Yorl
could not recognize Il divorce obtained OF
any but the ground OF adultery. Thus hi
first vile is still his wife in New York ant
he could lawfully live with her there
Should he do SO and take her to Nebrasks
he would be an adulterer there.
That this is an evil is plain and incon
testable The laws Of this country shoule
be SO plain that an American citizens wifi
should be recognized as such everywhere
The parties who may marry and the mean
for dissolvins the tie, if any, should b.
uniform. The matter should either b.
fixed by q Federal constitutional enact
ment or the States should be induced t.
pass uniform laws upon the subject,