The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-27
THE MAYOR BACK AT HIS DESK.
NOT AN ADVOCATE OF THE IMPE-
RIAL POLICY.

interpreted-His Position on the
Subject Fully ExDInined-The Con-
ference on the Uniformity of Law,
and Its Work on the Divorce Prob
Iem-stOpped in Philadelphia on
City Business.
Mayor Z. W Meldrim returned TO the
city yesterday morning from Gainesville,
where he went with his family, after cav
ing Saratoga, N. Y, where he attended the
annual session of the American Bar Asso-
citation.
Mayor Meldrlm, who is a member of tho
conference on the uniformity of law.
reached Saratoga somewhat in advance
Of the meeting Of the association, in order
to attend the sessions Of that body. which
had some most important work before IT,
on his way North he stopped in Philadel-
phia 10 attend to some city business in
connection with the house drainage sys-
TEN, and then went on to Saratoga.
Al this session the conference on the
uniformity of law dealt almost wholly
with the problem Of divorce It has al
ready accomplished much good, having
formulated satisfactory laws on several
subjects One of these is a uniform law
relative TO negotiable Instruments in lhe
shape of commercial paper. The law
adopted by the conference was similar 10
that in force throughout the British en-
pire. Some of the states have already
adopted It, and when all of the states
have done so the same rules of practice
with reference to commercial paper will
be in use throughout the English-speakinS
world. "
The conference went into an extensive
discussion on the subject of a uniform
divorce law for all the states. and has
about arrived at a formula which 1t is
thought will be satisfactory to most OF
them Some of it's details, however, have
been referred back to the committees for
further investigation, and there is little
doubt that the law win be framed at the
next session. The difficulty in connection
with this proposed legislation is TO get all
the states to agree on what shall be
the grounds of divorce AS Mayor Mel
drim says great fraud exists in many
states In this particular. An individual es-
tablishes q residence in some state such
as Dakota, of a temporary character only,
but sufficient to give the courts of that
state jurisdiction. At the same time Ii is
doubtless true that he would not be enti-
tied 10 apply for divorce in his own state
Service by publication, or constructive
notice Is another bad feature which the
conference thinks should be done away
with. These are matters which the law
yers want TO remedy, and this conference
desires to get all that states to require two
years residence before their courts can en-
terrain jurisdiction of divorce case, and
also to require actual instead of cOnstruc-
tive service. The conference agreed on the
main part of the resolutions, but there
were some details which were recommitted
to the committee, which win endeavor to
perfect that matter at an early date.
Many interesting papers were read at the
different sessions of the association, and
its various sessions were presided over by
prominent men from different parts Of the
country. Mayor Meldrim presided at the
session last Saturday afternoon at which
the final resolutions were adopted. Mayor
Meldrim was reported as having made an
address on that occasion in favor of an
imperial policy on the part Of the govern
ment.
How they ever put me down in favor
of annexing the Philippines in the sense
of giving citizenship to the people of those
islands, 1 cannot understand he said,
when asked about the matter. Il certainly
took no such decided stand on that sub
ject
81 did say a few words when I took the
chair on that occasion" ne continued, but
certainly did not express myself in favor
of making 4 state CUT of the Philippines
or American citizens out of its people. The
leading idea was, that it would be unwise
for us, having taken physical possession
of the Philippines, to abandon them, but
that it would be more unwise for US 70
incorporate the inhabitants of these ISL
ands into the citizenship of our country.
I consider that the better plan would be
for US TO maintain law and order there
until such time as in the good Judgment
of this country the Philippines could be
annexed, assuming that such time might
come. But I do not believe in anneying
them, except with the fun consent of the
people of the islands and the full consent
of the people of this country.
THE maintenance of a standing army
of large proportions and a large navy
would not ony be burdensOme, but danger
Gus The policy of this country should be
to maintain its territorial integrity. avoid
ing any foreign possessions that might
involve us in European complications, and
yet it should make such disposition of
these islands as will advance the CONNER
ciaI power of this country.
I'VE have not sufficient data yet upon
which to determine what should be the
policy of this country in this matter We
know very little about the population Of
these numerous islands. So far as We
know there are probably some 100000
people in them who could not be civilized
within a generation. Thus it becomes
very delicate question to determine as to
what should be the status of those islands
should they become 4 part of our terri
tory. Suppose the majority of the citi-
zens of Cuba should not wish TO become
a part of the American repubicS Should
we force them to become American citt-
zens against their viii, and in violation
of the principles of American g0verumeut2
All government derives It's power from the
consent of the governed. Without suffi-
Gent reliable information It is impossible
to arrive at an intelligent conclusion as
to what should be the policy of this gov
eminent.
The view taken by some Of the ablest
and best thinkers of the country is that
il might be well TO hold these Islands as
England holds her colonies. But until
exact information can be obtained. we
should hold these possessions. and main