Arizona silver belt., 1901-05-23
NO MORE DIVORCES.
The Dakota Quick Separation a
 Thing of the Past
A New Law for the North State Which Will Do Away with the Col Ony Scheme and q Very
 Large Revenue.

There will be no more 90-day divorces in North Dakota after July 1. North Dakota will have but few advantages over other states when the new law takes effect, for there are several places where divorce laws are pliable after one years residence.
 The amended law has been discussed for years by the "chureh and temper ance" people, who have argued that the divorce-while-you-wait law was calcu- lated to give a wrong impression of the commonwealth. They have now ob- tained law just as they obtained pro- hibition, but, like the latter law, the door is left open for easy access aud exit.
 The North Dakotans are nothing if not thrifty. Easy divorce brings about S2,sOO,000 into the state every year, while it only exports contented and heart-whole residents" The wheat farmers of the legislature had their eyes on the money end of the question and threw out the years residence us a sop to the moral enthusiasts. In this they had the backing of the banks, law. yers, hotel men and business men gen orally, all of whom appreciate that the divorce money furnishes business that cannot be had from any other source.
 There is no state where the judges are so sympathetic towards litigants in the divorce mills. The courts define cruelty as any action on the part of the husband or wife that causes the oth. CT mental suffering. Over nine-tenths of the Dakota divorces have been grant cd on charges of cruelty and desertion the former charge predominating.
 This new law will be convenient in one way, for there must be desertion of a year, and while obtaining residence the charge can now be secured,
 In North Dakota no place amounts to anything unless it has its divorce colony.
 Of these the largest is Fargo, with llandan at her heels. The colony at the latter place was only started few years ago, but it has a record, due to couple of hustling New York attorneys. who send their clients out sorrowful and bring them back happy
 Mandan, being the newest colony, fur. nishes an interesting bit of life to the observer There are about 1000 citi. 2ens and a colony of l50 resident" and ''would-be residents"
 IL was in 1896 that Mandan began its career as a divorce center, and the books of the courthouse show boom. town business. From LSo9 to lsg6 but six pages were used in recording all the cases heard by the court. From 1896 10 1899 so pages have been neces sary to enter the causes, and over 5UC diyorces have been granted. The pc ,ition of the clerk of the court has be- come a gold mine: the stenographeI and others who receive fees roll Tn wealth, while the judge has an air oi prosperity and contentment.
 Life in the colony is not attractive, but the enforced stay to obtain a resi. dence is looked upon as something bit ter that must bo taken with the swee, that comes at the end.
 During the day the principal diver sion is a game called "TrOuble.' To play this il is necessary 10 join a col 0ny; the more players the merrier. Each one must tel his or her trouble to everyone else. and there must be nc secret Tn this game there are more women than men Denver Post.