Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-06-12
DIVORCE PROGRESS,


in an editorial to the subject Of divorce
as ventilated by Wisconsin clergy
man, who admitted that Mormon
polygamy," even as he and the public
generally view It, does not need SO
much attention, and is less hard 10
fight. than the consecutive polysamy
which is prevalent throughout the
country. The Everett Herald endorses
the remark, but points out that the
minister usually talks against divorce
and goes on to say
Possibly II is right that he should,
hut among the Protestant clergy lhe
one that would decline TO perform
ceremony wherein one or b0th OF lhe
contracting parties were divorces
would be such a rarity as TO attract
general attention. If they would prac-
lice what they teach their preachments
would have more weight. II Is not nee
essary to 20 outside Everett TO obtain
divorce statistics, for the local courts
have cases of marital insists before
them almost constantly. IL Is inter-
esting to note however that last year
$4,000 divorces were granted, almost eN-
actly double the number OF ten years
ago. Statistics show that there was
one couple divorced for every four that
had not been divorced In Los Angeles,
which leads in the comparative size OF
It's colony of divorces, In San Francisco
the ratio Is one 20 six Denver one 10
seyen; Chicago one TO nine; ST. Louis
one to twelve; Cleveland. one to M
teen; Boston, one to eighteen; New
York. one TO twenty. These figures are
terrifying enough in themselves, but the
real seriousness Of the condition comes
10 light when II Is shown that in almost
three fourths OF the cases dispens9tions
were granted for immediate marriage
OF one Of the parties In the case.
There seems to be a notion, enter
taIned by a good many people, that
when married couples want to separate.
a competent court will divorce them up
on their showing that both parties
sgree to II. Well, that Is Of itself good
ground for a dismissal OF their case.
Collision ofthe parties, II demonstrated,
yitiates the application, There must be
some statutory charge preferred against
the person from whom the divorce is
demanded. That may be admitted by
default, but the divorce cannot be OBJ
tanned by agreement between the COM
plainant and the defendant
There is a very general sentiment In
favor OF uniform laws regulating both
marriage and divorce. SO that all the
States Of the Union may be agreed con-
corning these important matters. The
simplest way to reach the end In view
appears at first sight to be national
law on the subject. But that would In
yolve an amendment TO the national
Constitution. And there is very great
reluctance as to tampering with that
splendid instrument, particularly on
this question, because II would be
radical departure from the very system
which the Constitution was framed 20
establish and maintain; that ls the
right Of each State to regulate It's own
domestic affairs.
II would seem. then, that the better
method would be a movement to obtain
an agreement among all the States 10
adopt some uniform rules and regula-
lions, to be formulated into law by the
several State legislatures, by which
marriage and divorce might be made
similar In form IN every part Of this
country. This could be done by means
OF convention Of delegates from the
several States at which the whole
question could be thoroughly ventilated.
Several able newspapers have point
cd out the error into which some of
the societies and orators. male and fe-
male, interested IN social reforms haze
fallen. when they allowed themselves 10
be worked up over alleged conditions
in Utah. and ignore those that actually
exist around them IN their immediate
vicinity. Referring to the action OF
Mothers congress ST. Paul paper re-
marks:
These estimable women took mar
row view of the matter. however AMI
contented themselves with demanding
uniform laws without defining The law
as 4 ought to be- and with denounclpg
rolygamy In Utah. Uniformity OF d.
vorce law is certainly 90 be desired,
provided the uniform law Is good. But
H. TO secure Uniformity there must De
ouch concessions an around as 10 re-
suit In looseness, The result might hc
over worse than II is at present II u
10 be regretted that the mothers were
rot more definite in their demands.
Denominations Of polygmy IN Utah.
whore legal polygamy no longer exists.
Is hardly 10 the point Denunciatiou
OF the consecutive polygamy which De-
gally exists In every state In the Union
outside Of Utah would have been more
timely and effective"
we think that "denunchuons" Of any
kind ere wide OF the mark They are
not practicable. They are little more
than hot air." And they are often
the result OF ignorance and haste Real
reform win have 10 begin IN society
iteelf, in the training that begins in the
home. In the planting Of the seeds of
correct principles IN ,he hearts Of the
rieIrg generation, and IN the honor
purity and forboarnce OF parental NE.
This may be supplemented By rational
and uniform ennotmeris, and the evil
row complained OF may thus BE- re-
duced greatly n not eradicated.