The evening times., 1900-01-08

Il is quite probable that during the pres
ent session Of Congress steps will be taken
TO amend the divorce laws of the District.
especially with reference to the mode Of
procedure.
This matter, it is said, has been under
consideration for some time By leading
lawyers and prominent citizens Of Wash
ington. The subject has also been given
serious attention by members OF the local
ministry and reform organizations having
for their objects the purifying Of society
and the e!eyatiDg Of the standard Of NOR sls.
From what can be learned, there is no
doubt that an effort will be made TO amend
the divorce laws of the District so as to
make the United States Attorney Tor the
District the counsel for both the petitioner
and respondent in all divorce proceedings
1t is probable, too, that an effort will
also be made to amend the law so as 10
require the consideration of divorce pro-
ceeiings by regularly empaneled juries. as
in other cases coming before the local
courts.
Although no such charge is known to
have been made against any member Of the
District bar, still it is stated as one OF
the reasons, or rather advantages, OF hav-
ing the principals in proceedings for d.,
vorce represented by the United States
Attorney for the District, that il would pre-
vent the possibility of COllusion between
either Of the parties TO the suits.
\ prominent local attorney. in discussing
the matter today, said that while the di-
yorce laws in effect in the District are as
good as those Of any OF the States, never
theless, he believed they would be i'm
proved by being so amended as TO p ace
the prosecution OF all suits, as well as the
defence Of the respondent in proceedings
for divorce in the hands Of the United
States Attorney for the District
In England, he said. proceedings FOR di-
vOrce are carried on under the direction OF
the Queens Proctor. an officer whose au-
thority is the same and whose duty is sim
liar to that Of a States attorney, or the
United State Attorney for the District.
In England however the evidence is
passed upon by jury. and in many cases
not only is a decree OF divorce granted,
but damages also awarded in cases where
correspondent is named, and against whom
the charge Of alienation Of affection has
been proven.
In cases where husband would ask for
divorce from his wife on statutory
grounds. the wife is a competent witness
against the correspondent named in the pc
ticjon FOR divorce. and IN such a case should
the jury find the grounds sufficient to war
rant a verdict for the petition IL also has
the power 70 award damages against the
CO-defendant named.
IL is not proposed, judging from what has
been learned. that any effort viii be made
10 change the local divorce laws so as 20
hold correspondent responsible for dam
ages iu cases where the separation is asked
Tor on statutory ground. 10 is merely the
purpose of those interest sted iu the matter
TO bring about such changes IN the law as
TO preclude the possibility or cOnnivance on
the part Of the parties themselves, or their
attorneys. in obtaining a decree Of divorce.
Another advantage TO be gained. it is
claimed, by the friends Of the proposed
change in the existing laws. is that il viii
lessen the number Of suits. and greatly
shorten the time usually occupied in such
proceedings. In The event OF the law being
changed so as 10 make the United States
Attorney for the District the counsel for
both parties, IL is contended that divorce
proceedings would then when once started
be pushed TO a conclusion just the same as
other matters which come under the direc-
tion of the District Attorneys Office.