The Indianapolis journal., 1904-02-02
Gauntlet Thrown Down to Di-
vorcees by Women's Council in
Session Here.
LAWS AID TO CURE EVIL
Executive Board Would Weld
Women's Clubs and Societies
Into Closer Unity.
OPEN MEETING TONIGHT
Governor Durbin and Mayor VIII
Unite in Welcoming Distin-
guished Visitors.

Two movements. whose twin reflex will
broaden into a national scope. were
launched at the opening session OF the
fourteenth annual convention Of the Ma
tional Council of Women in this city yester-
day.
One is the prevention OF divorce by i'm
prisonment for men aid women who weary
OF the conjugal bond: the other is the join
ing OF two millions Of cultured women into
a more unified organization which will
work through the medium OF the council.
The councils sessions began yesterday
afternoon. and owing to delay Of officers to
arrive promptly, discussions of topics
which outlined the councils future course
were substituted for routine business.
There is scarcely a woman's movement
In the United States that is not affiliated
with the National Council, while the Inter
national Council. OF which Mrs MAY
Wright Sewall. OF Indianapolis. is president.
Joins In its membership the whole OF femi-
nine effort for the worlds progress
BEND ENERGIES TO UNITY
III the National and International Councils
nave failed in the past to execute every
reform they have championed, the failure
has not been due as much 10 lack of en-
thusiasm as absence of systematized ef-
fort.
To assure success for future undertakings
members have resolved To bend all energies
TO combination. the quickening of latent
powers at the command of the councils
kindred organizations, thus constantly ex-
pasndlng the influence of the council for it's
:, TO accomplish a uniiicaton of two mil
Mons OF women along close lines-to weld
Into INTO one effort the energies OF thousands of
Womens oTganizations-is the need OF the
council and IL has been met promptly
Al last nights session at the Claypool
Mrs Elizabeth Il. Grannis, OF New York
was appointed chairman of plan of work
committee, and upon her shoulders will
fall the responsibility or bringing about
unity. amounting almost to total reorganl-
zation.
The second movement which VIII engage
the attention OF the council was as unex-
pected In It's origin as IL was timely. 1t re-
solved Itself spontaneously. and when di-
vorce and its evils was being discussed I'm
executive session by Miss Jessie Ackern,an
her views, radical and yet practical were
received with enthusiasm. The National
Council OF Women, by its action last night
went on record as the sworn enemy of di-
VOrce.
THROW DIVORCES IN JAIL.
There can be no just ground for a d.
vorce without the intimation of a crime
against the commonwealth" said Miss Ack-
erman. If thousands of divorces are grant
ed yearly, the Divorces L take it, virtually
admit that they are offenders against the
states laws. which they have broken with
the marital bond. Why. then. should the
dissolution of a home the separation of two
lives interlinked by marriage the destruc-
ton OF family In many cases, be allowed
10 stand condoned in the eyes of the law?
The duty Of the commonwealth is not
ended by decree Of divorce. It has only
begun. When the causes OF divorces are
punished by fines and imprisonment as
many should be- bar will be put on hastv
marriages and the integrity of the Amer
lean home be preserved"
Her discussion OF the divorce problem
caused little short of a sensation IL will
be one OF the chief themes of the weeks
session.
CARRY MOVEMENT TO EUROPE.
Addresses will be issued on the divorce
question in which the councils ideas of
reform will be embodied President Roose-
welt. the members Of Congress and eminent
jurists will he urged to aid in an effort 10
master the divorce problem.
Through the leadership of LADY Henry
Somerset. of England. and other noted
women the discussion will be carried to Eu-
rope. II necessary members of the council
viii go To Washington and lobby for an
anti-divorce bill. aimed to change the laws
OF every state in the United States
The remainder of this week will be de-
voted 10 the two movements of unification
and war on divorce. national movement,
4: Is hoped. Will accomplish the former and
imprisonment and fines for divorces will
bring about the latter reform.
Mrs Lillian Hollister. OF Detroit, national
treasurer, devoted part OF the session last
night to a discussion Of the councils
finances, which are in a healthy condition
The need OF funds, she said. was apparent
for the councils plans will entail great ex-
pense.
More than ordinary interest attaches to
the weeks meetings in this city rs inter-
est I'm the councils movement has been
aroused as never before. large local at
tendance Is expected at to-night's public
meeting at the PrOpylaeum A continual
tiOn OF the closed session will be held this
morning. reports OF officers presented and
committees appointed
EEMEP dT IITnDLv nr