Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1891-03-12
A PROPER DIVORCE
1t is Clea rly Defined BY the
Bishop of Delaware.
ADULTERY THE ONLY GRouND

ADULTERY THE ONLY GR0UND
FRAUD 4ulent Marriages should be De-
cI Ired Null--Judicial Separation Is the
Only Relief In Cases of Cruelty, the
wife and Children 90 Have Property
Eights-AB andonment-E Result of
Easy Divorce.
There being some crude ideas on the
subject of divorce in this city and state,
reporter of the EVENING JOURNAL
interviewed Bishop Leighton Coleman
this morning, to get his definition of
what constitutes proper divorce.
What do you consider necessary to
constitute proper diyorce2' asked the
reporter.
ION general principles am opposed to
divorces on any grounds" said Bishop
Coleman. 81 think it better altogether
If possible, TO avoid asking for them, but
where the circumstances seem to demand
such step, l would only allow divorces
on the sole ground of adultery. This is
the only reason allowed by holy scripture
and the church
Fraudulent Marriages.
what is your opinion on fraudulent
marriages.
IF there were clear proof Of fraud and
deception, on the part OF either party, q
court of justice, In my opinion. would be
justified IN declaring null any such mar
riage under those circumstances But
there must be unimpeachable testimony
to this effect
Some persons might think there is an
inconsistency between this answer and
your answer to the first question, how is
this explained?"
Simply on the ground that because Of
the fraud the ceremonies through which
the parties went could not, in any
legitimate sense Of the word, constitute
a marriage"
Foolish Marriages.
I'm the case Of foolish marriare.
where young woman, innocent and I'M
sophisticated, is deceived into marriage
with an unprlncipled fortune hunter,
what relief do you suggestY
IF the innocent party clearly under
stood that genuine marriage was being
entered into, no divorce can be allowed.
The mere fact of being deceived
as to her husbands character, social and
financial standing, and so forth, would
not justify wifein seeking separation.
1t might, under aggravating circum-
stances, Justify her in living apart from
him.
Cases OF Cruelty.
'In this same case, if the man after
wards becomes cruel, beating his wife
and otherwise i'll treating her, what relief
is thereY
81 have the utmost sympathy" said
the bishop, with innocent women who
are cruelty illtreated by their husbands,
and l do not think that they ought
to be obliged to continue under
the same roof with them, should such
cruelty become frequent and endanger
their health and life. In all such cases
would heartily approve of what is known
as a judicial separation. By judicial
separation ] mean such a separation as
frees the woman from the necessity of
living with her husband, until such time
as they may be able to live together
/ peacably, and also prevents him from
| forcing his presence upon her.
That suggests another question, whal
| rights should the woman and children
have regarding property which they may
| acquire or inherit, and who should have
the control of the children7"
las to the control Of the children, they
being minors, would in every case give
such control to the innocent wife. as Ia
her and their rights in property, would
have proper trustees appointed, who
should manage the property for the bene
/ ft of the innocent parties, until such
| time as the court should deem it proper
to restore to the repentant and reformed
husband the right which he had for
feited."
Abandonment
What relief is there in the case of a
man who abandons his wife and children
leaving them to get support from rela.
tives or friends2"
Il see no relief possible by law except
that which compels husband to give his
wife proper financial support A wife
can but get on as best she may, hoping
for better times to return. This, nc
doubt, may seem hard answer to some
but one must endure hardships rather
than participate in wrong measure Of
relief. On the ground of drunkenness
the same principles already laid down
would, in general, cover such a case.
Cause of So Many III-mated Couples.
Again, let me say how much sympa-
thy feel for such professionalism mer
or women, for all the wrongs are not on
one side only-as are unhappily mated
and cruelty treated But these causes dc
not Justify violation of Gods word and OF
| their marriage vows. In these VOWS which
surely ought to 60 for good deal, they
agree to take each other for better, for
worse. And while it is extremely sad to
have such sufferings enforced on innocent
parties, yet If it were more generally
understood, that but for the one cause
already allowed, divorces would not be
granted, people would be much more
careful about entering into the married
state AS 1t is now, the wholly
unreasonable, unscriptural and un
ecclesiastical way in which divorces
are in many places granted. encourages
thoughtless and unprincipled people ia
marry each other, knowing as they do
the ease with which they can be unmar
ried Chat is. in the eyes Of the law, not
of the church, if they should not get OF
together as they had expected
steps Taken TO Build a New M e. Church
Members of Franklin street Sunday
school met last evening for the organi-
cation Of an M E. Church at Seventh
and Harrison streets. Tn,
committee reported the securing Of
lot 74x140 feet at Seventh and Harri