The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-03-03

divorce, if for any reason it should not
be granted.
Under the present law, only two years
residence is required for the applicant
for divorce. But under this bill, five
years residence is required. Surely this
does not open the way for residents of
other States to come here and get di-
vorces.
This law was needed, said Mr.. Guion,
in answer to a question by Mr.. Smith,
because when man deserted his wife,
he was guilty of the crimes that would
allow divorce under the law. if the tes-
timonv could be brought. He considered
this to be true in every case of aban-
donment
Moreover. General Davidson said this
bill simply gave the power to re-marry
but Mr. Guion claimed that every aban-
doned woman should be allowed to marry
again. for the sake of the happiness of
the homes and the women of North Caro-
lima. For women without the blessings
of pure matrimony were as wretched as
men in similar circumstances.
The bill stipulated that the abandon
ment must be wilful and without cause
leges to the husband. And the woman,
meantime, suffering in poverty and dis
grace.
Mr. Guion made a forcible plea for
the passage of the bill, and was APP
plauded.
Judge Graham said he would consider
himself unworthy of his position if he
did not arise to speach against any I'M
loosening of the bonds that made the
marriage the holy.
1t had become his unfortunate duty to
grant the first divorce under the law of
1897, and he had felt Inundated when he
was compelled to do it. He had vowed
at that time to do everything that might
be in his power to kill such a law.
This bill gave the man the privilege of
getting rid of his wife by abandoning her
when perhaps his conduct had been the
very reason why they could not live to-
gether
The old Mosaic law stipulated that
man might prepare writ of divorce for
his wife only for uncleanness, and
greater One had come after Moses, who
had said: "Who God has Joined together,
let no man put asunder'
Judge Graham made a strong speech
for the preservation of the old law that
kept North Carolina on the side of NOR
atty and the ancient sanctity or the
marriage tie.
Mr.. Smith said that if we were to ask
our own wives. they would ask us not to
let down the bars on this vital subject.
AS to the statement that whenever
man abandoned his wife for two years
he was guilty of that which would allow
an absolute divorce he would say, il that
were So that the evidence could be Sc
cured and should be, rather than that any
lax divorce law should be passed.
If this bill were to pass, it would en-
courage the people to marry lightly,
thinking that the next Legislature would
pass similar bill
Mr.. NewIand said that Mr.. Smith for
got that his bill made it seven years be- |
fore any re-marriage could take place.
As to the learned remarks by General
Davidson, they would apply to any other
cause for divorce as we'll as abandonment. |
Mr.. Newland referred to the case cited |
by Mr.. Murphey, Of the girl who was
married taken to a Northern city and |
there deserted
Mr.. Smith asked II the bill provided |
for new husband in cases like that.
Mr. Newland replied that the bill did |
give her the chance to marry again. and |
that was just what he wanted. He did |
not believe in making married woman |
live without a husband. woman should !
not be a wife without husband, and a |
woman without a protector, forced in the |
heat of the summer and the blasts OF |
winter to make living for herself and |
her children. If a woman is married, let |
her have a husband.
Mr.. Curtis asked If the law was such |
a good one, why not extend it to the |
future?
Mr.. Newland 81 would be willing to |
that; l would vote for it"
Mr.. Newland was applauded as he con-
Guided
Mr.. Offman spoke on the Divine side |
of the question, saying that marriage was !
not merely civil contract, but an ordi-
nance of God If we were not to obey |
the laws of God, we should do away with |
the opening of these sessions with pray |
err The law of God allowed divorce for |
only one cause and when that case eX- |
listed there was always some means of re- |
lief by the laws of the land. There had |
been cases spoken of usually resulted |
from hasty marriages.
Mr.. Self said that the civil side of |