The age-herald., 1901-03-17

bittering the future lives of either. If woman has been grievously sinned against, a man should be required to make some settlement at the time, pro- vided the wife has not the health or means of self-support. woman of pride would much prefer even a life of drurg- cry to support wrung from a man through legal process. Alimony Is degrading to a woman, and holds lash over a mans head, who should not be forced to con tinue its payment after the re-marriage of his erstwhile partner.
 woman often sues for a divorce in the spirit of pique, and alimony is liv- ing weapon of revenge.
 Non-support in many instances fur nishes the best of grounds for divoree: that is, If a wife has little children and no resources save her own labor. She Is clc yed and humliated by a mans pres ercc if he is well and able-bodied, but laC;s energy. In such cases the world has little sympathy for the woman, whom 1t judges should be supported by the father of her children; hence it Is i'm perative that woman so environed should obtain a divorce in order that she may be able to feed her little ones.
 Many jurists contend that women should be debarred the privileges of in- stituting suit for divorce. and quote the
 
 the right to send his wife away and di- vorce her
 Total ostracsm for those shining against the moral code whether man or woman, would do much towards purifying social conditions, and if the women so shining were made to feel the worlds censure 1t would act as a deterrent force to others tempted to transgress The courts of Europe close their doors un- compromisingly against women under suspicion, but unfortunately In this coun- try a woman of wealth may indulge the most fragrant lason, and immediately af- ter obtaining a divorce marry the part ner of her amour, and if she has sufficient wealth to dine and wine her friends, her board Is never deserted on the grounds of morality.
 Breach of promise suits should be sup pressed; they are the avenues of revenge, and the weapons of those who, having lit tie reputation at stake, are catering to the sensational press for advertising pur- poses. Few of them have any justiica- tion in fact. A woman accepts a man homage, occupies the home he provides for her, lives luxuriously at his expense, knowing full well that when his ardor coOls the inevitable assertion will follow. She knows, too, that he never intended entrusting her with the honor of his name; yet such women shameessly fiaunt  ten in the hope that snug little sum being offered to keep the matter from publicity, they will allow their wounded hearts to be patched up. AS If there were any question of hearts or love. It has been simply a matter of barter, and the amount of damages awarded Is often commensurate with pretty face, chic costume and the grace as poseur before a susceptible jury. The fear of such suits is often a barrier 10 courtship.
 A crime that sends either partner to States prison should involve in the sen fence divorce, absolute and final
 iEncu~able insanity of either party should a Aso be. ivs-- and sufficient grounds for di- v4rce. HIabitual intoxication, or a drug habit of either party which jeopardizes the lie or the habits of the other, should also come under this list
 Dover rights should have no force in law during the lifetime of the husband only in case of his dying intestate.
 That a man should not be at full lib- erty to dispose of that which is rightful- ly his own without wife's signature Is matter of gross injustice, as the wife, in many States, enjoys perfect independ- ence in relation to the disposition or her possessions.
 In the many other cases where vari- ety of reasons are adduced as subjects of complaint the granting of the decree should be matter of discretion with the judge before whom the case Is called
 Among professional people the ceremo- ny of marriage and the subsequent d. vorce is often a question of "passer pour le temp" the getting rid of one incum- brance to make way for another
 While divorce Is undeniably one or the greatest of evils, yet there can be no greater torture than the daily contact of married life when aversion has driven out every suspicion of regard. Such life converts good, well-disposed beings into human fiends.
 The code regulating licenses for mar riage, and the careful study of the char acter and environment of those contem- plating matrimony, would do much to- ward making divorces less a necessity, but unfortunately both men and women are apt to be at their best during the days of courtship, and the latent qualities that lead to unhappiness are suppressed until the daily contact of welded life exposes them in all their repulsiveness.
 ID frame universal code would be herculean task, well calculated to over awe the average legislator, from the fact that each human heart must be the pre- siding judge over it's own happy or un- happy destines