The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1899-08-05
NoETH DAKOTA DIVORCES
\ Law Against Quick and Easy Sep
arations VIII Soon BE In Force
I'm the state.


There will be no more 90-day divorces
In North Dakota after July /. North
Dakota will have but a few advantages
over other states when the new law
takes effect, for there are several places
where divorce laws are pliable after one
years residence.
The amended law has been discussed
for years by the church and temper
ance" people, who have argued that the
ce-while-you-wait law was calcu-:
lated to give a wrong impression OF the
commonwealth. They have now OBJ
tanned law just as they obtained pro-
hibition, but, like the latter law, the
door is left open for easy access and
exit.
The North Dakotans are nothing If
not thrifty. Easy divorce brings about,
s., 500, 900 into the state every year,
while it only exports contented and
heart-whole residents" The wheat
farmers of the Legislature had their
eyes OH the money end of the question
and threw out the years residence as
q sop to the moral enthusiasts. In this
they had the backing of the banks, law
yers, hotel men and business men gen.
orally, all of whom appreciate that the
divorce money furnishes business that
cannot be had from any other source.
There is no state where the judges
are SO sympathetic towards litigants in
the divorce mills. The courts define
cruelty as any action on the part OF
the husband or wife that causes the 9TH
er mental suffering. Over nine-tenths
of the Dakota divorces have been grant
ed on charges of cruelty and desertion,
the former charge predominating.
This new law will be convenient in
one way, for there must be desertion OF
a year, and while obtaining a residence
| the charge can now be secured.
In North Dakota no place amounts
to anything unless it has its divorce
colony.
Of these the largest is Fargo, with
Mandan at her heels. The colony at the
latter place was only started few
years ago, but it has record, due to a
couple of hustling New York attorneys,
who send their clients out sorrowful
and bring them back happy.
Mandan, being the newest colony, fur.
nishes an interesting bit of life to the
observer. There are about 1000 citi-
2ens and colony of $50 residents" and
"would-be residents"
1t was in 1896 that Mandan began its
career as q divorce center, and the
books of the courthouse show boom.
| town business. From 1889 to 1896 but
six pages were used in recording all
| the cases heard by the court. From
1896 to 1899 so pages have been neces'
sary to enter the causes, and over 50t
divorces have been granted. The Pc
sition of the clerk of the court has be-
come gold mine; the stenographel
and others who receive fees roll in
wealth, while the judge has an air Of
prosperity and contentment.
| Life in the colony is not attractive
but the enforced stay to obtain a resi-
dence is looked upon as something bit
| ter that must be taken with the sweet
that comes at the end.
During the day the principal diver
sion is game called Trouble" Tt
play this it is necessary to join col
ony; the more players the merrier
Each one must tell his or her troubles
to everyone else, and there must be nj
secret. In this game there are more
women than men.--Denver Post.
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