The Washington times., 1895-03-01
DIVORCE REFORM.
1t Is Urged as One of the Most Important
Questions.

Many of the most talented members o.
the National Council of Women were heard
yesterday morning on the subject of di
yorce reform. The golden thread of thought
which appeared everywhere in the many
able arguments was that in the passage oi
laws relating to, modifying, or radiclly
changing the laws of divorce woman's
voice should be as potent factor as thai
of man.
An idea of the intensity of the interest
in this subject and the radical point OF
view from which marriages of conven
ience and heartless unions were considereo
may be had from the unqualified assertion
of the Rev. Anna Shaw that IasoT
would be entitled to as much respect as
such unions.
The subject came up on the report OF the
committee on divorce reform, which was
read by Mrs. Ellen Battele Dietrick, oi
Massachusetts,. The report depre Gated
any further enactment of laws relating 70
either marriage or divorce until the women
of the country had an opportunity to ex-
press an opinion on the proposed legiSla
tion. In accordance with the Instructions
of the executive committee Mrs. DietricB
had sent letters to forty-eight Governors
of States and Territories, asking each OF
these officials to call the attention OF their
Legislators to the subject OF divorce, and
requesting the appointment of a committee
To consider reforms in the law. Up to De-
cember last only seventeen replies had been
received, and only two of these-from Gov.
Greenhalge. of Massachusetts,, and Gov.
Brown, of Rhode Island-had pledged cor
dial support to the council TO secure just
laws. Women should deprecate men max.
ing any further laws pretending protec-
tion. The only real protection was self
protection or by allowing women to vote.
The committees report was received
with considerable applause and then Mrs
Dietrich proceeded To deliver an address on
Equality in legislation concerning di-
vOrce." She referred to tie great respect
and honor that was paid women in ancient
Greece, saying that under such conditions
ii was an easy matter for wome II to regulate
laws governing marriage and divorce.
The formal discussion was opened by
Mrs. Elizabeth B. Grannis OF New York,
president of the National Civilization
League for the Promotion of Social Purity
Mrs. Grannis advocated the enactment or
a universal Federal law granting divorce
only in cases of s6ulteTy Then parents
and guardians would discharge their duties
and privileges to the young with greater
care concerning preparation and fitness for
the most import5nt relationship man and
woman can assume.
Miss Harriet A Shinn, of Chicago, dele
gate OF the National Association of Loyal
Women of American Liberty, concluded
the formal discuss ion. She argued elo-
Quently in favor of q broader ard a tTuer
public sentiment in favor of the man or
woman whose life was made unhappy by
the marital relation Self-fespeot is tie first
requisite of character, and a woman could
not claim the respect of the community who
shielded from just criticism drunken or
dissolute hus band. Miss Shinn made pow
eTful appeal for the protection of children
OF unhappy homes.
Before proceeding to the informal dis
cussion Miss Kate Field was introduced
and spoke a few encouraging words to the
council
Miss Susan B. Anthony opened the general
discuss ion and said there should be
laws enacted which shall allow women
equal rights with men in framing laws re-
specting marriage and divorce.
Miss Kate Field was called for. and re-
sp6nded briefly She referred to the laws
respecting woman's property rights in the
District and said it would be a wise and
practical thing for the council to petition
Congress Cor reform of these laws, giving
women equal property rights with men.
Miss Field also favored the enactment of
a national marriage law.
The discussion was continued by Rev.
Ida c. Heilton. Rev Anna Shaw, Mrs Isa-
bel Charles Davis, Mrs Sewall, Mrs. Chill
ton. Mrs. Kate Brownlee Sherwood, MIR.
Hermat Kiretchjian, and closed by Mrs.
Dietriek
The programme for the evening session
having been announced, the morning ses-
sion adjourned.