New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-11-12
PRICE THREE CENTS.
TO REVISE DIVORCE LAWS.
A RESULT EXPECTED TO FOLLOW THE
RECENT REVELATIONS.
THE BILL FRAMED BY JUSTICE BEEKNAN
TO BE REINTRoDUCED AT ALBANY THIS
wINTER-MoRE ARRESTS LIKELY

TO BE REINTRoDUCED AT ALBANY THIS
wINTER-MoRE ARRESTS LIKELY.
One of the results that will likely follow the
unearthing in this city of the conspiracy which
has been long in operation and which had for
its purpose the securing of fraudulent divorces
will be the revising OF the divorce laws OF this
State For several years the Justices OF the
supreme Court have recognized the necessity OF
instituting such revision. The opinion has been
more than once expressed by members OF the
Supreme Court bench that the procedure which
is now followed in divorce cases should be in
vested with greater restrictions than have hfth-
erto prevailed. 1t has frequently been the case
that the Justices who have been engaged in
hearing certain divorce cases have suspected
collusfon between the parties Interested but be-
cause they were unable to call to their aid any
official whose province IL would be to investi-
gate cases to which suspicion would seem to at
tach the Justices have found themselves in a
helpless position and have necessarily been
compelled to adjudicate upon the evidence as II
was presented to them.
Two or three years ago Justice Henry r
Beekman drew bill, which was introduced to
the Legislature. and which. had 1t become law
IN the opinion Of many we'll known lawyers,
would effectually have prevented such iniquitous
practices as were carried on by the gang headed
by Maison and Zeimer. ComprehensveIy speak
Ing, the measure would have given to actions for
divorce in this State the same safeguards which
the English courts impose upon actions brought
for the breaking Of matrimonial ties Maison
and Zeimer were enabled to work their fraudu-
lent divorce schemes. it was said yesterday be-
cause they had not to face the process of hay-
ing their cases examined into and passed upon
by officer Of the court, invested with powers
similar to those held by the Queens Proctor in
England.
The bill which was drawn by Justice Beck
man did not pass the Legislature for the rea-
son. 1t would seem, that the necessity of 1t was
not understood by the members OF the Senate
and Assembly. The revelations which have fol-
lowed the arrest OF Zeimer and some of his con-
federates will, however. serve TO demonstrate
the urgency Of enacting a law revising the d.
vorce procedure in this State. Now that the
Justices of the Supreme Court are asserting the
imperative need for formulating changes in the
law applied to divorce actions. there is
thought to be little doubt that the Legislature
will act upon the matter.
TALK WITH THE JUSTICE
When Justice Beekman was seen at his home,
No 30 West Seventeenth-st. last night. by a
Tribune reporter, he said:
was introduced into the Legislature 6y Senator
Elsberg in the Senate and by AsSemblymsn
for the appointment of oficer TO be known as
ure Of that body The Appellate Division was 10
expense that would be necessary 10 carry the
work Of his Office That estimate was 10 be sub
ment to be included by that Board in the annual
The duty of the court attorney as outlined in the
] n Was , 20 a,'en9 the & hfaTss ~ - ro{ OF f pnfon m
should have the same general power and authority
have. such the subp9naing of witnesses and the
GG0sS-exaIninat'Sn on Of %taesses pr0duGsd by the
mission OF the Supreme Court to do 20 was given.
and papers in divorce actions were TO be served
upon him in the same manner they would he
ton. He also to be clothed with such other
rule might from time 10 time prescribe. In a gen
era! way those provisions were the scope of the
LOOKED UPON AS NOVELTY.
Well the bill did not pass. because it was looked
upon somewhat In the light of a novelty Such an
officer as court attorney exercising such functions
any State in the country, To a large extent it was
intended be office similar to that which exists
cases The Queens Proctor the otfciaI is called.
and cousive divorces are not obtained As it IS
now in this country. the court possesses no arms
TO examine into cases of that description or 20
whether the action is brought in good faith.
WHY IT WAS PREPARED.
/ have had some experience in the hearing Of
divorce cases and the 6lll that framed was the
quently felt how poweress was 10 go behind the
existed that perhaps the action was coIIusive or
fraudulent. The recent developments with respect
practical may the necessity of carrying through
poasd S' hGk mag Ss sa @ Ra 3 IF s the BIN
providing for court attorney had been passed the
bination would have been Impossible
Legislature when it was first introduced nor, It IS
needless to say has IL Isl since become "a law although
Senator Esberg made very active efforts 10 secure
It's passage. but II was regarded as novelty and
pe9Eed Ito to l'S, them to be an sxPfImTbs erin INT
lature and viii / beiievr BECOME a law I also
think that It would b. well If our law should pro
lapse of six months after j1dsment o. divorce Is
rendered before II becomes 3hSoutGy ely b oindlsS; a
until period o. six months n expired after the
this city has actiyely surpor,ed the bilI OF which
have spoken
MORE ARRESTS EXPECTED.
Within the next day or two the police authori-
ties expect to arrest several other per-
sons who are suspected of being impl-
Gated in the conspiracy. The necessary
warrants have been issued. and the police
are now on the track of tine individuals sought
for Assistant District Attorneys Cnger and
Gordon searched the offices at No 80 Broad
way occupied by MaiSon and Zeimer, on
Saturday The warrant they obtained from
Recorder Gor however, did not permit them
to take possession of large number Of dOcu-
ments and letters which were slowed away in
the pigeon holes OF the desks used by the two
leaders of the gang. A more complete warrant
will be issued to-day The impression prevails
that so far the authorities have not yet just
such evidence is desired to prosecute the
charge of conspiracy Every effort however.
Is being made to secure more complete chain
OF evidence against the prisoners. and If such
progress is made in this direction is
the next day or two 1t is understood that May
H Tompkins. the woman who was arrested