The evening times., 1900-01-08
THE LOCAL DIVORCE Law
Changes That May Be Made in II
at This Session of Congress.
The United states District Attorney
TO Appear i'm All Cases TO Prevent
CO1lusiOn and Fraud-A Discussion
of the Present Abuses-New Stat
utes May BE Like Those i'm England

1t is quite probable that during the pres
ent session Of Congress steps will be taken
TO amend the divorce laws of the District,
| 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 eleyating of the standard of NOR ais.
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 for the
District the counsel for both the petitioner
and respondent in all divorce proceedings.
Ii is probable, too, that an effort will
also be made to amend the law so as 10
require the consideration of divorce pro-
ceedings 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 ii is stated as one of
the reasons or rather advantages, OF hay-
ing the principals in proceedings for di-
vorce represented by the United States
Attorney for the District, that it 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-
vorce 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 a jury. and in many cases
not only is a decree of divorce granted,
but damages also awarded in cases where a
correspondent is named. and against whom
the charge of alienation Of affection has
been proven.
In cases where a husband would ask for
a divorce from his wife on statutory
grounds the wife is competent witness |
against the correspondent named in the pc |
irjon for divorce. and in such case should |
he jury find the grounds sufficient to war
rant a verdict for the petition it also has |
he power TO award damages against the |
,o-defendant named.
Ii is not proposed, judging from what has |
1een learned. that any effort will be made |
o change the local divorce laws so as to |
lOld a correspondent responsible for dam /
lges in cases where the separation is asked /
or on statutory grounds. II is merely the /
purpose of those interested in the matter
o bring about such changes in the law as
o preclude the possibility Of cOnnivance on
he part Of the parties themselves, or their
attorneys in obtaining decree of divorce /
Another advantage to be gained. il is
,laimed by the friends of the proposed /
shange in the existing laws, is that il will
essen the number of suits and greatly |
shorten the time usually occupied in such
in The event OF the law being
hanged so as 10 make the United States
Attorney for the District the counsel for
10Th parties. it is contended that divorce
would then when once started
be pushed TO a conclusion just the same as
ther matters which come under the direc-
ion Of the District Attorneys office.