The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-09-18
DIVORCE, AND OTHER THINGS.

Mr.. Abraham II. Hummel. the gentleman whose
hand is the handle Of Of the largest divorce
mills in the world, draws some very interesting les
sons from existing State laws upon the subject Of
divorce for the purpose OF showing the strong need
Of their unifcation.
At the outset. he thinks, the difficulty Of effect
ing reform IN these laws seems insurmcuntable
Each State is jealous retain fits rights over its
own citizens and there is a widespread sentiment
against any further Capitalization OF government in
Washington. IF the States TO Unite upon COM
mon law. which law shall be adopted to the exclu-
sion Of all others? Shall II be that OF New York
which gives divorce ground alone infidelity:
There would be howl OF protest from nearly every
section Of the land. he asserts. Thousands would
come forward from other States to contend that
good woman should not be tied 10 a brutal man
who hsbitually beats her and who would de-
grade her If she remained with him. On the other
hand, what would leaders OF thought in New York
State say TO throwing open the door Of the divorce
court that any grievance which might he men
Toned would suffice: bad temper the part Of the
wife. "incompatbility." abandonment, insanity
any other good or bad?
at IL a crying shame says the champion of i'll
used wives and husbands. that marriage following
a divorce by a competent tribunal may he decided
a bisamous a meretrcious relationship in another
State and that the parties to it may be liable to
arrest side Of State line. though honorabiy
united across the border There is only oee fHnedy
q uniform law for marriage and divorce in the
United States a law operative from the AtlaVic to
the Pacific. from Canada to Mexico. From time to
time this has been agitated bills have been
introduced in Congress a preliminary to a change
in the Constitution: commissions have been appoint
ell confer with representatives Of different States
with a view Of having each Commonwealth pass
Io f,lo all
has made thus far: but the seed has been sown
and when the country has been properly awakened
the uniformity will come. IF eternal vigilance is
the price Of liberty. 50 prolonged agitation Is es
senrial 10 accomplish reform. even where the hid
results Of existing wills are apparent to all VIII"
care to examine them. II Is always easy TO accept
conditions they and not 10 bother: but the
conflict between the marriage and divorce laws con-
etitutes q serious barrier TO national progress
and this is a most propi;ious time to attack it,
Mr.. Hummel's careful calculation Of the incon
sfsfencIes ncongruities and tanges of the divorce
laws and his thoughtful recommendations for uni
hcation constitute an article which will appeal 10
the thinking portion Of the community. Ir will be
one Of the numerous attractive features OF next
Sundays Republic Magazine-and though mention
Of the fart may strike the reader strange # is
illustrated by unique and beautiful drawing. from
the pen Of II. V. L. Parkhurst.
Norman Duncan writes first-cises dog story FOR
next Sundays number: good a dog story "a Rich
ard Harding Davis Jack London can write. Marie
CoreIli talks about the education Of the upper
classes and other things in her cbaracteristcaly
sharp fashion. Stanhope Sans contributes an ey-
ceptionally interesting sketch OF Madame de
Krudener who inspired The Hague Peace Confer
ence Harriet Prescott Spofford writes good short
story land none better knows how entitled. "A
Wild Olve-Tree.- Marshall Wilder. the laugh
manufacturer continues his fine list of anecdotes
1.-The Sunny Side Of the Street" Frederick Upham
Adams tells OF the "Tribuiations Of the Golf De
voice" Park Bears Confession" Is an excruca.-
ingly funny animal tale by Ed Mott. Ernest Jar
rod contributes entertaining story. The Feath-
!. cred Float" Charles Hartley tells splendid hunt