Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-19
DIVORCE REFORM.
A Lawyers View Upon What is Really
Necessary.

- A|eA' w . pun " nat RealIy
Necessary.
To the Editor Of The Evening Star:
Under the heading of Divorce Reform"
your issue Of May II refers to the efforts
being made by the reform bureau TO amend
the law regulating divorce in the District
by restricting the grounds upon which a d.
vorce may be obtained. Although law
yer whose disagreeable duty II occasionally
Is to represent a party to a divorce pro-
ceeding I am not one Of the number Of
my professional brethren who according
to the Rev. Mr.. Wilbur F. Crafts. superin-
tendent and treasurer Of the reform bu-
reau. are asking delay in the enactment Of
the proposed legislation. Nevertheless I
would like the opportunity of making a
public protest against the efforts of the re-
form bureau. or any other organization, in
advocacy Of the legislation referred to. If
the present law needs amendment to
make difficult. If not impossible. the pro.
curement Of collusive divorces by all means
amend 1t for this purpose. but to go fur
ther and reduce the number OF the causes
for which dissolution of the marriage
bond can be had would be. on broad
grounds Of public policy, serious mistake.
Indeed, for the best of moral and social
reasons, the causes should be increased SO
as to include at least non-support Of the
wife.
Divorce legislation Is Of comparatively re-
cent origin but 1t has come in response to
decided public sentiment In its favor, a
sentiment which recognized the demoraliz-
ing and disorganiZing influence upon Socie-
ty of discordant and unhappy married life.
However much we may deplore the weak
ening of family ties, that seems to be a
feature of our civilization. the causes for 1t
are fundamental. and will be found in the
changed and changing economic and indus
trial conditions of the race. and not in di-
vorce laws. that follow, but do not create
the demand for them. Divorce legislation
has not been brought about by vicious or
necessarily irreligious people, or by those
who believe in yielding to an evil If you
cannot correct it, but rather by thoughtful
and far-seeing statesmen, who perceive
that in compelling ill-mated couples to re-
main united society was perpetuating an
evil vastly more serious in its consequences
upon itself than that which might come
from liberal divorce laws. No. The princi-
pies upon which such laws rest are sound.
The laws themselves are essential to the
well being OF society, and their vigorous
administration should be encouraged and
not hampered by narrow few who would
legislate control Of the consciences of
men. If the thing were possible.
If the reform bureau really desires to do a
useful work in connection with divorce laws
let 1t join hands with the American Bar
Association in its efforts to procure uni
formity of legislation throughout the coun-
try upon this important subject. the lack
of which often results in a man being a
husband or a woman a wife in one state
bigamistS in another. If the bureau will
suspicion. more or less entertained by the
public of Washington, that 1t is a reaction
airy rather than a reform organization.
F. L. SIDDONS.