The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-11-30
OPPOSED TO DIVORCE.
South CaroIinians Not ia the Moo
for Changing Laws

AOO0
for Changing Laws.
CHARLESTON. S. c.. Nov. S0.-The re-
cent agitation or the question of divorce
and the general outcry against the whole
sale abuse of such laws throughout the
country has been accepted as fine NOR
sci by the lawmakers and clergy in South
Carolina who led the fight IN the last
constitutional convention which resulted
in a clause forever refusing the rupture
Of the marriage ties by the courts.
The fact IS recalled, however. that for
six years-from 1872 to IS7S-the laws Of
this State allowed the granting of di-
YorceS~on certain grounds. but from all
records available there is nothing to show
of an attempt TO abuse the privilege. Ac-
eording TO a statement recently made By
Attorney General BeIiirger. in reply to a
Misrepresentation by an Indiana Judge
not more thar three divorce cases were
before the courts during the six years
the law was in effect While this record
is accepted as both gratifying and salts
factory, the belief is expressed by many
that if there were . divorce law in South
Carolina at the present time more mar
Rad people would seek legal separation
and the record might be in keeping with
the record from other States Taken as
a whole, however, the people of South
Carolina seem proud Of the fact that this
is the only State in the Union where di-
Yorces are not granted.
After the repeal of the divorce law IN
1875 there We're various efforts on foot
to have the aRu-dtvorce law repealed. but
all Of these failed after more or less fight
ing in the Legislature 1t was contended
thatsuch law should be or the statute
book OF this State, so that South Carolina
would act N line with every other State
and The object was to have the reason for
divorce limited TO scripturaI grounds. if
nothing more When the Constitutional
Convention assembled, the day after the
opening It was proposed that divorces be
allowed for the cause mentioned and after
fight which was kept running for three
weeks the deathkneII of the divorce hone
was sounded. All effort now seems m
have been given up of having the law re-
pealed- The sentiment in favor of the
law has grown stronger in view of the eff
forts which have been made in other
States TO check the abuse OF the privilege
of divorce.
Tie unique position which this State oc-
cupies in regard to divorce is relished bv
tie o!d-tiIae Carolinians. The younger
generation. however, is not so much in ia
vor of it
In TIE State Legislature few years ago
al GAC4uGIt OECuEEG0 WHICH mas been used
as IN argument for legal and absolute sen
sr2uons- \ weII-known and influential
man, who was prominent in his section.
applied 10 the Assembly for d divorce. Or
for a special act which would be applica-
bic in his case. He showed that his wife.
the mother Of his children, had deserted
his bed and board and was living in such a
manner as 10 disgrace the family in the
town where the husband lived For the
sake Of his offspring he asked for the di-
voree. The petition was refused, the As
sembly refusing 10 make special Iegisla-
ton. The easeswas used in the argument
by the men who supported a divorce law,
but the sentiment was so overwhelmingly
against il that II has never passed
Their gentle action and good effect on Che sys-
TEN really make them . perfect little pill. They
plcase those who usa them. Carters Little Liver
Pills may well be termed perfection