The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-04-26
hrs, AcKLAs's noNHY.
She Declares That No More OF 1t Shall
Be Spent In the Interest Of Her Divorce.

Be Spent In the Interest Of Her Divorce.
Mrs Laura Acklan, the wife Of Novelist
w II. Acklan, who Is applying for O
divorce from her husband, In the Legisla-
ture. is contemplating the abandonment
OF the suit, and may soon return to the
home of her father, T. ID. Crocker OF
Cleveland. Mrs. AcklaA has been infiuenc.
ed to take this unexpected course 1t is
said, owing to the unreasonable demands
that have been made upon her parents to
Induce them to contribute large sums Of
money towards the passage of the divorce
bill by the Legislature.
Mrs. Acklan accompanied by her
mother aud maid, came to Delaware
early in January. Since that time they
have kept themselves in seclusion seldom
venturing out except on some mission OF
business and they have entertained few
callers. Mrs. Acklan's sole object in com.
ing to the Diamond State was to secure
nominal residence that would entitle
her to u divorce. On April IL Mrs. Acklan
and her mother went before the divorce
committee here and disclosed the grounds
upon which the fair petitioner asked for q
separation.
Mrs. AOklan swore that her husband had
not bestowed upon her the love that she
expected from dutiful and affectionate
husband. She also related how Acklan
had abused her during their sojourn in
Paris, and how he took her wedding ring
and then discarded her in New York. Ex-
Consul Knowles appeared as counsel for
Mrs. Acklan at the hearing, and the testi-
mony made such an impression upon the
divorce committee that they almost I'M
medintely reported it with favorable con-
sidcration.
Mrs. Acklan and her mother returned to
their temporary residence in Wilmington
to wait until such time as they should
hear that the General Assembly had sew
cred the ties between husband and wife.
After delay Of few days, Mrs Acklan
left for Washington, her mother remain.
ing. Meantime Lawyer Knowles had been
called out of the State, and during his
absence Attorney Il. r. Cochran was
asked to keep an eye on the divorce bill,
although he was not retained as counsel
for Mrs. Acklan.
State Senator John Pyle who Is chair.
man OF the Senate divorce committee,
was asked in regard to his failure to offer
the bill in the Senate and he replied it
was owing to the fear that Senator Moore
and Others proposed to fight it. Pressed
for further explanation of the matter,
Senator Pyle said:
II have been told that man claimi ng
to be clerk IN the Senate approached
Mrs. Crocker, mother of Mrs. Acklan, and
asked her for SGO00, claiming that it was
necessary to handle six votes at 81 900
apiece Tor the purpose of passing her
daughters divorce in the Senate
am also informed that Senator John
M. e. Moore Is incensed at the demands
upon Mrs Croker for money aud that no
will oppose the divorce when the bill Is
offered. 1t only requires five votes 20 pass
The bill, but the opposition Of Senator
Moore might secure Its defeat.
Further than that, have been told
that an official of the House not only
wrote to Mr.. Crocker about the divorce
and the chances of its passage, but l
understand thai this same Official sent IL
letter to Acklan, who Is in Washington,
with view to stirring up opposition to
the divorces which might or might not
induce Mr.. Croker to advance money to
insure its passage. get most of this III
formation from Lawyer Cochran"
Senator Pyle said the bill would Irobab.
ly be withheld until Lawyer Knowles re.
turned tom Atlantic City # would
then be offered and either passed Or finally
killed
Lawyer Cochran when interviewed in
regard to tho matter was very reluctant
to talk about the divorce case, stating that
he was not counsel for Mrs Acklan and
never had been. He was only looking
after the case in Mr. Knowles absence
He said he knew nothing more than Mrs.
Crockor had told him, as related by SEND
tor Pyle.
Mrs. Croker says she has been worried
almost to despair by persons who have i'm.
portuncd her with ovcrture4 and who
claim to have more or less influence with
the Legislature. She says in most every
case an effort has been made to cxturt
money from hor on various prctexts, but
sio declares that they have gotten an the
money thoy will over get.
The divorce case has created Il sensation
in social circles here and the disclosures in
regard 10 the attempt to cXturt money
from the Cleveland women is looked upon
in the light Of public scandal that needs
Investigation.