The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-11-21
FOR UNIFORM LEGIsLATION.

The boards created by the legislatures
of several states TO promote uniformity
of legislation upon some social and
economic questions that affect all peo-
pie equally irrespective of state bound
aries met in New York last week.
The reports printed of doings of the
conference were too meagre to give
much of an idea of what was accomp-
lished, if anything. The conference has
promised to issue a summary of the pro-
ceedings, but has not yet done SO.
There is, therefore, no exact data at
hand to estimate the value of the work
Of the conference at this session, but it
is kno wn that resolutions were adopted
advocating the uniform adoption of seve-
raj measures, such as the immediate
recording of marriages in whatever way
performed, and a method for the foreign
acknowledgment of deeds and the attes-
tation and sealing of legal instruments.
The social questions of greatest inn
portance that the state confreres have
considered relate TO marriage and di-
vorce, and so far as is known there has
been no very definite progress made in
their consideration. They were
broached, and given much thought and
discussion, at the August session of the
boards, and it was then developed that
the questions connected with the law of
marriage and divorce were so complex
that it was deemed advisable to proceed
very cautiously, especially until IA fuller
representation of the states and terri
tories could be secured.
II was recommended, however. that
the age of consent to marriage should
be raised TO eighteen i'm the case of
males and sixteen in the case of fe-
males that legislation be adopted re.
quiring some ceremony or formality. or
written evidence, signed by the parties.
and attested by one or more witnesses. in
all marriages, provided that in all States
where the so-called common law mar
riage, or marriage without ceremony. is
now recognized as valid, no such mar |
riage shall be hereafter valid unless evi- |
denced by writing signed by the par
ties and attested by Mt least two wit
nesses, and that no judgment or decree
of divorce be granted unless the de. |
fendant be domiciled within the State
in which the action is brought. or shall
have been domiciled there at the time
the cause of action arose, or unless the
defendant shall have been personally
served with process within such State.
or shall have voluntarily appeared in
such action or proceeding.
The August conference made more
definite advance along line of recon-
that will be more likely TO
be readily adopted by the states, with
reference TO commercial paper and
weights and measures.
1t is to be noted that these boards con-
slider only such questions as the consti-
tuition places absolutely and exclusively
In the control of the states. Itisaaues-
ton, therefore, of securing uniformity
Of state legislation or an amendment TO
the constitution that would permit con
gress TO deal with the matters that
need reformation.
The great Importance of the reform
that has been inaugurated by these
boards, created by State legislatures,
cannot be exaggerated. There is no room
For argument regarding them. Rhode
Island should he represented by board
created by the General Assembly, mt
these conferences. The assembly should
take immediate action at the January