Evening journal., 1891-02-11
UNIFORMITY IN DIVORCE
Governor Reynolds's Core
spondence on Uniform Laws.
BEFORE THE SENATE TODAY.

BEFORE THE SENATE TO-DAY.
Three Commissioners to be appointed
by Zach State TO Consider Changes In
Laws that win Make Uniformity in
Divorce, Insolvency. Notarial Certia-
Gates, Descent and Distribution Of
Property, Acknowledgment of Deeds,
Execution and Probate Of wills.
staff Correspondence hvBNING JouRNAL
DOVER Feb. 10 While the divorce
question Is exercising the Legislature OF
Delaware very few are aware of the fact
that a movement is on foot to carry out
the spirit Of that part o. Governor
Reynolds inaugural address which says:
The spirit of cornity that should pre-
vatl between the states OF the Union, in
duces me TO call attention to certain
communications lately received by me
from commission to promote uniformity
Of legislation throughout the Union
upon the important subject Of marriage
aud divorce. Under the present arrange
meBts Of the Constitution no federal cog
nizance or control over these subjects
exists, and consequently a distressing
absence Of harmony in the legislation
and judicial action OF the several states
exists TO the great injury OF the family
tie, the uncertainty Of marrisge obiiga-
tions the Legitimacy Of children. and the
rights OF property BY operation aud
CO. ordinate legislation in the respective
states, legal status could be agreed
upon by all which would enable great
aud valuable reforms to be accomplished
therefore commend the subject to the
favorable consideration on the part OF
the Legislature.
This matter will be brought before the
Senate To- morrow by Speaker Donohoe,
and speedy action in the matter will be
urged IL will be presented ia the shape
of correspondence between Governor Rey
nolds and the Commission TO Promote
Uniformity OF Legislation in the United
States.
This explains why Senator Donahos
was not Ia such haste to throw the mat
ter Of divorce into the courts, as the
leader OF the Democratic side in the Cen
eral Assembly, he knew that such bill
was to be prepared aud was very careful
to see that nothing pref JUDGED to it
should pass.
What IL Means
The following letter from the Commis-
sion to Promote Uniformity Of Legisla-
,ion, sent TO Governor Reynolds. sets
forth the object sought 60 be accom-
piished and the way in which it can be
done;
NEW YORK, Dec. 1890
Hon Robert J. Reynolds, Dover, Del
DEAR SIR: The question of uniform
legislation is attracting attention
throughout the country. especially with
regard to marriage aud divorce, wills
descent and distribution OF property,
form OF deeds, acknowledgement and
kindred topics
"rhere are but two modes Of securing
this end. First, An amen dment to the
Federal Constitution. Sc cond, Uniform
action by the states The first method is
not feasible or practicable. Your atten-
tion is invited TO the second method,
voluntary gction by the several states
The subject has been discussed by the
American Bar Association In our state
the subject has taken practical form aud
under chapter 2O5, Laws OF 1890, a com
mission has been authoriz sd TO promote
uniformity Of legislation in the United
srates A copy OF the act. together with
the resolutions adopted by the commission
and presented to the American Bar Asso !
citation are enclosed.
The latter body az its annual meeting
at Saratoga Springs, in August 1890
adopted the report OF its Committee on
Uniform State Laws. indorsing the
course OF the Legislature of tho state OF
New York, and recommending similar
action by the Legislatures Of the various
states A copy Of that report is enclosed
together with the names Of the members Of
the American Bas Association throughout
the country, composing the general com
miEtee of that body on Uniform State
Laws.
On behalf Of eur New York Commis-
sion. wa beg TO lay this report before you,
and to suggest the propriety of calling
the attention Of tie Legislature OF your
state TO the matter in your forthcoming
annual message. The governor Of New
YORK made this subject feature OF his
annual message in 1889 and again in
| 1890, and the result has been the law
creating our commission.
In his message Governor Hill referred
TO this important subject in the follow
ing language;
I
very different rules prevail as to what
constitutes marriage, and while certain
divorced person may legally marry In
some 81 iates, TO do so in others perhaps
adjoining, would be crime, even though
no criminal intent existed Such
anomoties ought not to exist. In order
10 obtain as far as practical the end de
sired. il is necessary 30 secure a volun
tary concert Of action among the states.
IL is suggested, therefore. that somt
motion be made At this session toward Z
conference Of representatives Of all tn,
states, or Of such as may choose to bt
| represented, to consider the question ol
uniform marriage and divorce laws.
"a copy Of this letter has been sd
dressed TO the governors OF the severa
states Of the Union.
Yours very respectfully,
/ HENRY +. BEEKMAN,
Irvine BROWNE.
/ WILLIAM l. SNYDER,
Commissioners
The Proposed Law