Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-09-16
Examination of Local Court Records
Shows a Big Increase in
Applications for
SEVERING THE NUPTIAL KNOT.
For Some Unexplained Reason Wives
Bring Suit Far Oftener Than
Their Husbands.
DiSTURBERS OF HOUSEHOLD PEACE.
4 Novel Theory That Natural Gas Should be In
cluded in the Category.

People who reply IN the aufmatlVe 10 pne
question: SIS marriage failure?" buttress
their opinions in a measure by an appeal to
the records of the divorce courts, and, al
though they do not show as much in the way
of support in this county as in some States
where trains stop 20 minutes at county towns
for the accommodation of nuptial-tie
severers, yet our court records show that the
number OF divorces is more than keeping
pace with the growth of population.
The subject has attracted attention il the
East, and there it has been discovered that
not only are the greater part of the appli-
cants women, but that, as a rule, husbands
do not interpose objections, but allow
the tired sister to seek some other
male support with apparently but little
feeling in the matter. Then some one has
suggested that dissatisfied wife is much
like 4 carbuncle on 4 mans neck, and he is
only too glad to see it transferred from his
own to some other mans neck, and so rarely
opposes the application for severance, pro.
vided he can get clear of alimony. If the
wayward rib prefers to wander lonely as a
cloud, >" he does not object, and it does not
seem that the children of the couple are
considered in the matter.
WHAT STATISTICS SHOW.
Whether owing to the growth of woman's-
rights sentiments, or to the increased
avenues open to women to make a liveli-
hood without the drudgery of housekeeping.
or on account Of an undue and dispropor-
toned growth Of ''cussedness" on the
part OF Goods last and best gift
to man." certain it is that of
late two and two-thirds women apply
for divorces to one man. This evidence is
taken from the record, which is the highest
evidence in a court of Justice. During seven
months of the present year the courts have
acted on the various stages OF divorce cases
on l76 cases, in which the male applicants
are but IS to 12S female. The causes as
signed cover all known to law, and no doubt
there is collusion in some cases, where the
parties are mutually tired of each other.
1t is suggested that some lawyers are a
fruitful source of divorce applications. as
when an applicant seeks counsel such law
yers are experts in showing people how very
unhappy they are and suggesting grievances
but half perceived by the applicant, the fee
IN the case being the stimulant. The de-
nands of society also, in the way of dress,
household adornment and the general keep
lng up OF appearances are believed to be
a FRIGHTFUL sTIMULANr.
to connubial misery as well as the main
cause OF so much celibacy, which would in
a snort time threaten depopulation, were it
not for the constant inflow of immigrants
who neither know of nor care for the teach
ings OF Nautilus, but unconsciouslv follow
the advice Of the New York alderman on
the subject of the propagation of gondolas.
This class may Quarrel and throw pots,
skillets, pans and other articles OF dones-
tic use, but 1t rarely seeks relief in the d.
vorce court. Among classes higher up in
the social scale, however marriage is under
stood to be nothing if not a voluntary asso-
citation, and as these do not care to try phys
ical conclusions in the settlement of strife,
they quietly dissolve partnership.
In the East it is said the applications
for divorce made by women are nearly six
times as numerous as those made by men.
In Allegheny county the proportion is less
than half as great, but large enough b to bear
out the assertion that the marriage tie usual
" gals women more than men, or they have
less delicacy in washing family linen in
public.
READY TO SEEK DIVORCE
1t is also possible that men give the most
occasion for ofenSe. In the abstract women
who discuss the subject are greater stickIers
for riCidity in divorce laws, but all the
same. the records show that thev are taking
ldvantage of the slackness of the laws more
han the men.
1t has been suggested that the humdrum
0i woman's domestic duties makes her dis
and that either divorce or elope-
nent frequently appears to her a tempting
mirage, to follow which she at times he
comes powerless to resist, but Mr. Harry Arm
strong, of Common Pleas Court No, 9. saws
hat the increase in divorces in this county
IS attributable to the very general use of |
natural gas for fuel. He says that since its !
Use has become common, women have not |
been sufficiently occupied to prevent their |
minds from becoming diseased-housekeep- |
ng does itseii, and unless women have |
mental resources, Satan finds employment |
or their Idle hands to do, and discomfort |
needs domestic rupture.
FROM PERUSING THE DOCKET.
While this may be a non causa pro causa,
ana SANDER on the weaker vessel, Mr.,
appears TO be honest in his be-
lei, and he has opportunities to see most of
he applicants for marital severance.
One may extract a melancholy interest in
he perusal of the divorce dockets. 1t is true
hey are very incomplete, as in hundreds of
'ases, begun 10 or Is years ago, the result of
he application is not noted in the dockets.
he clerks having forgotten to complete the
-ecord in this shape, though it is obtaiuable
elsewhere. Unless for specific nur-
nose OF great importance, however.
ne tracing of cases to the end
would be improbable employment, but If
S not much labor to fnd out how MANY have
Ipplied for relief were they not put in
he same list with lunatics, habitual drunk
irds, etc.
The great Smith family, with it cognates,
'chmlt, Schmidt, Smythe, etc., seems to
lave been very happy in its marital rela-
ions, either showing that John Smith.
hough he does get into the lookup fire.
Iuently, is pleasant domestic animal or a
sood Judge OF sunny-tempered women.
RECORD OF THE SMITHS.
Since 1879 but q Smiths. of both sexes.
ave applied for divorce in this county.
The Mes. and the Os. also seem to have be- l.
aved themselves pretty well, there being
ut "A applications from the former and 90
rom the latter in the same number of wears,
7hile the letter 20, suggestive of bubbles,
uarrels quirks and quandaries, furnished
ut i've applicants for divorces in IL wears.
Many cases fall through or are compro-
llsed and are not prosecuted to compile
ion, so that full expose of marital misery
nd Its consequences cannot be had, but If
be true that the use of natural gas is
of marital misery and divorce.
1me comfort may be extracted from its
-equent advances in price.
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