Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-01-08
A CONFERENCE OF STATES.


sage day or two ago to the Legislature
of that State, advised conference of States
with view to securing uniformity of laws
relating to divorce. If, as is understood,
he favors transfer of jurisdiction in divorce
cases to Federal Courts under laws to be
passed by Congress defining causes of pre-
cedure he is wrong. Such system does
not commend itself The tendency to
Capitalization of power is sufficiently strong
now, without the stimulant suggested. 1t
is far better for the States to retain iuris-
diction of causes and actions of divorce
But the proposition for a conference of
States 10 secure uniformity in divorce laws
Is a wise one. 1t did not originate, how
ever, with Governor Hill. "The Divorce
Reform League" of which Judge Davis, of
New York, was SO long the head, advc-
Gated such step years ago. There is
really nothing to be said against it, but
everything in its favor If such confer
ence accomplished nothing more than
gaining the consent of the States to each
recognize the judgments in divorce rem
dered in the other States, it would be
long step in advance, but no reform. ex-
cept so far as it removed cause for scandal.
AS 1t Is now, a man may have lawful
wiie IN two or more States at the same
time, because of the non-recognition of
judgments based upon unrecognized causes
in one State that are sufficient to maintain
a divorce judgment in others.
But the proposed conference would prob
ably do good deal in the way of real re-
form by bringing some of the States to
abandonment of lax systems and others to
relaxation of too rigorous policies. The
debate of the subject the sessions of the
conference would create, in itself would be
potential in bringing the people to agree
ment. There is really and never can be
any reason why different law should OBJ
tain in Nevada from that in North Car
Dina concerning divorce. There is and
can be no reason why New York and Cal
ifornia should be so widely apart in the
matter of causes for separation, and in the
matters of judgment-penalties and of linn
tied DEGREES.
No possible reason can be advanced by
the citizens of Indiana why their laws
should be more liberal in permitting sew
erance of the martial bond than those of
It's next door neighbors, Kentucky, Ohio
and Michigan. The debate of the ques-
ton under the official character of con-
ference of States would, therefore, strik-
ingly present the contrasts, conflicts and
ahsurdities of the several State laws and in
itself that would tend to their abolition.
The people will by such discussion be
brought into communion with each other,
and the Legislatures to hereafter meet will
be very likely to reflect sentiment tend
ing to bring about harmony of the laws of
the States, and the result will be in time
practically one law throughout the Union
concerning marriage and divorce, while the
removal of any amount of scandal from the
American name will follow, and what is
better, there will be a decided check to the
divorce current. If it were more difficult
t. enter the divorce courts, great many
people who now rush to them on slight
provocation, would be likely to practice
greater forbearance toward each other and
would discover that by practicing patience
gentleness and self-sacrlice. happiness may
result where at first only misery promises
In continuance Of the union.
= II the New York Legislature adopts Gov.
Hills suggestion and extends the invita-
ton to the States to send delegates to
conference, it is to be hoped that the Cali
fornia Legislature will concur. The con-
terence involves very small expense, and
will certainly result in great good. If we
could have State conferences on two or
three other subjects we would be decidedly
benefited and common interest enkindled
upon several subjects that is not now fell.