The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-22
DISCUSSED PROPOSED CHANGES
OF THE DIVORCE LAWS.

There was a large and representative
audience present in room 3i3 al the state
house this afternoon at the public hear
ing given by the judiciary committee
OF the senate on the bill introduced re-
Gently by Senator Freeman amending
chapter 1875 of the General Laws and
making the statutes more drastic than
elastic and the securing of future di-
vorccs In Rhode Island more difficult.
An the members of the committee were
present and Chairman Freeman, who
presided, stated in brief the purport OF
the bill and invited remarks from any
and all who wished.
Rev Frank ]. Goodwin rector OF the
Pawtucket Congregational church. arose
and offered some preliminary remarks
calling attention to the fact that one
ground Of granting a divorce had been
eliminated from the original bill and
that Is non-support But the following
have been retained and specified as the
only causes
lmpotency. adultery. extreme cruelty.
wilful dcsertion for five years OF either
OF the parties and for continued drunk
ennenss.
He spoke from a clerical standpoint
and clergymen had co-operated with well
known attorneys IN preparing the bill.
which FOR the sanctity OF the home and
the raising OF the standard of morality
in Rhode Island would be recommended
by the committee and adopted by both
branches OF the assembly.
Hon. y. W. Littleheld next opened the
discussios from legal standpoint and de-
clared that u was "A move in the right di-
rection II was putting up the bars and
the open hearing section was COM
mcndable. There is no reason why th
proceedings should not he above board
and collusion OF the parties interested pre-
vented by non-appcarance OF either. Tor
the protection Of the other, Scandals are
bad but the whole trouble has been that
too lax hnve been the laws and the Viola
tor OF the marriage vows should not be
permitted 10 hide themselves behind an
air OF respectablity The proposed bin
would meet the approval Of a vast ma
jority Of the people OF Rhode Island.
CHIEF JUSTICE SPEAKS.
CHIEF Justice stiness was deeply inter-
ested in the bin under consideration and
ne spoke from an experience OF ten wears
az the bar and - years on the bench
lie was pleased to.see that cause "ne-
slect 20 provide. dropped from the proc
posed bin whef the law was passed
originally. the wife was completely under
The control OF the husband. ~ he did not
provide FOR her she was powerless 10
help or provide FOR herself
But conditions have changed and todev
the married woman can make contracts
Just "a well the man She H. smplv pro-
tected ana the conditions for the old
uiNorce law has ceased to exist
Tie denounced not only mieraforv III
N'rces-peopic coming from other states
ana seouring separation Such action per-
mlted bv the present law has had sprh
"a bad influence ON the bona f8o rssiderts
or Rhode Island az % steadily ana large.
~ Increase the number OF local divorce
Ihis Dill would correct such an evil tho !
standard or marriage would be- raised
ano thc number of divorces decreased |
from one-third TO one-holf annually.
The fault is not with the count Tbev
90 noi make the law. they simply admin |
he commended the allowance .oc,,,r
pfoNiding for The support OF the wifc ana |
the education and nafutcuan noe ca 49,
chlluFen such allowance shuff bo so
Tar regarded A. a Judgment FOR dehf thai
suits may De brought and executions a..
fne upon proper anidayite againzt tbe
ge1ds ana chattels N the husband
me deposition section fU uarrnff tbt
taking OF testimony by 2 master of chan.
cery. ~ well 81 by writinf and oraliv
was also worthy OF attention and com.
mendatiOn
But. the chief ground. that OF neglect N
provide, should above an BE- eliminated
from The present easy divorce laws s.