The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-02-04
UNIFORM LAWS.
Comment on the Governors Commuuica.
tion To the Assembly

comment on the Governors ommuu
tion To the Assembly.
There is some interest m the comm,ni
cation which Gov. Brown referred m IN,
General Assembly, from the commits
sioners OF New York on uniform legisla
ton on marriage, divorce, insolvency
wills, notarial certificates and other sub.
Jects upon which the laws Of all states
should agree, but upon which they nov
dlifer. 10 was referred to the COMMITTEE
on executive communications.
ms movement had its origin two
years & in New York when Gov. Hill
appointed n commission OF three In IooL
into the matter and secure the co-opera-
ton OF other states in framing n Ger of
laws that would meet the approval of
all. such a matter. however. is too mo-
ment us TO move rapidly. The commis.
sion sent communication To the yarlons
states requesting an expression of %oDinion
on the subj CT In this communication
was the statement OF Gov. Hill. suggest
inc a conference of the representatives Of
various states to consider first the mar
rage and divorce laws.
The responses received from this com
munlcation were numerous. Several
commissions were appointed and during
the past year others have been added
Altogether twenty states have taken
action in regard TO the matter. OF these
iIeleware, Georgia, Massachusetts.
Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey. New
YORK and Pennsylvania have appointed
commissions TO me t when the con-
terence may be called.
Perhaps o. o best illustration OF the va
rel laws Is found in the subject of mar
rage. Ihe age OF consent was originally
nAeu AT ~ years for females aud IA
years in the case Of males.
IN many > ates the common law rule
mas been abrogated by statute, and the
age Of consent now varies fro N ~ to M
Tor female aud fro n III TO u for males
In sixteen states marriages between
hrsI cousins are unlawful. In New York
only marriages between parents. chill.
dren, grandparents, grandchildren and
brothers and sisters OF half as we'll az
whole blood are alone prohibited. Other
are allowed TO marry.
In New York State no marriage caro-.
mony is required. Mere word, of avree-
nient are binding. In eight States 30 ma
@hird party must be present as a wit
ness, La Massachusetts, Connecticut
aud Rhode Island the minister mmst he
OF the STATE.
The great variety or laws relating 70
Wills IA the forms aud procedure
necessary To make title are the source az
serious losses. IL is OF frequent occur-
renee that "a will executed ard valid in
lhe state -. found insufficient to pass
Jus W ditolutf SItle. whose |
avs nave not been observed.
lhese are but two OF the numerous
,,oplcs upon which uniform legislation is
'eSireu' other topics suggested are
e~slJlinacy, conveyances, descent aud dis
rlDutlon, the law of domicile, naturaIi.
'atlon. maximum aud minimum penalty
or crimes. anu an Interstate code cover
ng partnership, usury, agency. insur-
nee factors, insolvency aud kindred
Opics. ~
ne commission suggest that in case
tate, did not wish 10 change their fuuda.
heNtal law they might adopt an alternt-
we Jaw which would be good, not onIy
= tne state IN question but in any state.
' would theu DC optional with tue user
: 10 Whlch ne should adopt. IL is
hought that this alternative form which
IouId he leHal everywhere, would be so
adOpte that It's use would
become universal. Those states
men have already appointed commits.
,,ons have ali considered fayorably mis-
Tea OF ALTERNATIVE legislation.