Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-25
DIVORCE LAWS.

Through the influence of her churches
] and best citizens, Dakota has at iase
altered her disgraceful divorce laws anu
after July 1st the State will cease 10 De
! the Mecca OF those seeking the easiest
and speediest release from CALLING ma'ri'
mohial bonds.
For many years past the name Oh "a
kota has been notorious as ui'oi'V-
mill" and persons from all parts OF 'he
land hied themselves unto her borders
70 Law aside their marital burdens. TO
break up this established immortality was
no easy task, for il meant money 10
many. The business became most Iucra-
five 10 lawyers hotel proprietors, ana
others who reaped profits from 1t. Inc
churches long and perseveringly fought
for change. and their efforts have at
last been crowned with success.
The law which wrought this much-de-
sired revolution went into effect on Aprii
1st Heretofore the statutes required
only n three-months' residence In the
state before proceedings could be insu-
tufed. but the bill recently passed by the
LEGISLATURE requires one years residence
This provision is fully in accord with
those Of other states. Under the Ola re-
gimc the laxity Of the law went even
beyond the terms Of the statute. In 'he
sixth Judicial District, which lhciuueS
bismarck. IL is claimed that divorces were
Granted after a residence of not more
than two DAYS. The attorney registered
the name on some hotel register ninety
DAYS before the bill was filed, and II
there was no opposition, two days suificed
for all the proceedings. Divorce Colo
MICS were established all over the State
and their demoralzng effects were every
where evident.
Time and again we have heard UNIFORM
ity Of legislation in the matter OF d.
vorces suggested, and theoretically the
proposition is a good one, but IN prac-
tlce II cannot work well. After the uni
form bill is passed there is no guarantee
that subsequent legislatures will not
amend IT and bring about almost as much
diversity as there was before. Certainly
Virginia could gain but little by such
legislation. Her divorce laws IL we
greatly mistake not, are dlgnlDed' iea-
sonable. and conservative. No SUIT can
he maintained unless one of the parties
has been domiciled in this State for 1T
least one year preceding the commence
ment of litigation. and COLLISION Is care
fully guarded against. Better stlii' the
Virginia lawyer does not seek this class
Of practice, and when he takes 1t he eX-
ercises the utmost care to avoid sensa-
tionalism. 1t is considered by the pro-
fession TO be very bad form TO advertise
ones self as a divorce lawyer. or 10 IN
any way invite this line of business.
As an instance Of the care bestowed by
our judiciary in the consideration OF d.
vorce cases. and the true merits thereof,
, famous case in SOth Grattan might be
cited. The persons interested were peo-
pie Of unusual prominence. and unior-
tunately the acerbity exhibited by both
sides was unusual Eminent counsel were
employed and the case went TO the SUI
orcme Court. The report OF TINS case
which covers ninety-three pages, displays
he profoundest thought. and is written
IN the most mastery English. The di-
,orce was refused. although there was |
me dissentient Judge. In the concluding |
words Of the opinion, which was written
by that great jurist, Judge Staples, we |
ind what in general has always been |
recognized in this State as the proper |
view of matrimonial differences. The |
Judge SAYS: "Time and reflection. it is
hoped, will satisfy both parties that |
heir true happiness, and the comfort and |
welfare Of their child, can only be found |
IN that divine union which has the sane
ton and pledge of both divine and hui
r,o,, 1oxyc -