The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-17
TIE DLnoRCEREEoRM LEAGUE.


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THE DIVORCE-REFORM LEAGUE.
The National Divorce Reform League
held its ninth annual meeting in Boston
last Wednesday, and was able to report
growing public sentiment in favor OF tho
reform in every part OF the Union. The
League proceeds upon the four lines oil
investigation, legislation, education and
practical application OF the family idea
Nearly all the work of the past year has
been in the field of investigation, for the
especial need OF the reform at present is
full aud accurate information. As we
learn from the report Of The Nc,0 York
Ercning PoS, the League has not done
much during the year in the way OF push
ing legislation, rs il was thought best 10
await the result OF the bills and joint reso-
luton, looking TO an amendment now
under consideration by the Federal House
and Senate before taking definitely con-
certcd action before the State Legislatures.
But the Legislature OF Illinois has n bill
now under consideration. New York and
Ehode Island have taken steps in
the same direction and attempts have
been renewed for more stringent marriage
and divorce laws in the District Of Column
bia. The educational work Of the League
has been by lectures by DR.. Dixie in sew
eral collegiate institutions, and encouraging
results OF previous work have been seen in
lectures at Johns Hopkins and at tie Mas.
sachuseits Institute Of Technology by
young men who had their inspiration from
him. The latter lecturer made this sub
ject the beginning OF his work on political
science. Engagements by the secretary
for lectures the coming season have al
ready been made. In addition 10 this
we have the report Of Col. Carroll ID.
Wright, Commissioner OF Labor, made
by order OF the Federal Government
10 is very yoluminous aud gives the sta
iistics Of marriage and divorce in the
United States for the past twenty years.
IN his introduction tho Colonel gives
brief history Of the legislation under which
the statistic were gathered and Of the cir
cumstances attending the work after
which follows In regular succession an
analysis Of the laws OF the different States
regarding marriage aud divorce from which
the country will have Tor the first time an
official compilation OF the facts relating to
this class OF laws. and for the first time,
also, an accurate compilation; for, though
attempts have been mado before this by
private enterprise, yet serious inaccuracies
exist in the best works Under this head
the Mormon marriage laws are treated at
length aud there is complete table Of the
divorces granted In this country from 1867
to 1856, incluaiyc. This affords material
for as,udy Of the divorce evil, lis prevalence,
J ip arc Sil;c comrs--4 with anotnvL or il
North or South, East or West, in cities OF
rural districts, and under the varying laws
WHICH are now In force IN the different
States" It also supplies the causes Of di-
vorcc, duration Of marriage. number OF
children aud whether the divorces APP
piled 10 the courts Of their own OF
other States, the nativity Of the par
/ ties 10 each suit and the effects
Of intcmpcmncc aud other causes. Stats
! ties Of marriage, o. Ear M they could b.
gathered by the means at the disposal OF
the departments, are also given in the
same way. II may be added hero that
the American BAR Association has rrcom.
mcndcd plan for securing uniform sys,
tenn regulating the marriage Of Amcri
can citizcns in foreign countries. Ger.
many Is discussing the matter fur.
thcr. though 1t has had a national mar.
ringc law Tor twelve years Discussion OF
the divorce evil In France Is active. New
South Wales has shown much interest In
The matter during the past year, aud In the
Canadian Parliament Il has been agitatcd.
Only 1876 divorces have been granted with.
in the past twcnly-onc yoan In the Brit.
ish dominion. The report OF Col. Wright
makes a volume Of abou, n thousand pages
but itisp possible that the most essential Iac,i
viii be- issued In a small volume Tor popular
circulation. Its by long odds the best
results Of the labor Of the League and can
not fail to have the effect Of Fastening
uniform Legislation by the States or a.
amcndmon, to the National Constitution
that will more surely secure the sam,
result
SENATOR CErws ought to be able to Ne
cure a poslponcmcni Of the conventional
int4Ffat liU until Ala. oath ,,L.u ,..,,,