Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-06-04
FACTS ARE MOST STARTLING.
,,,.,estlne Interviews With Judges
OF the Supreme and District
Courts.
WHAT THEY WOULD RECOMMEND
General Opinion is That There Should
y, 4 Uniform Marriage and Divorce
Law for the States,

ehau Utah become as notorious as the
n.totas in the matter Of granting di-
,,orcos and shall II become a Mecca for
,Nose who desire to sever their matrl-
,,onlal bonds IN the easiest and quick
,,t possIble manner2 The bench and
hsr and the public in general who hold
,he interest of society and the welfare
., the state nearest their hearts, with
one accord speak out against the di-
yorce evil which is growing at such a
rata as to become appalling. In Salt
lake county particularly has the evil
made rapid strides In the past few
Months. so that during the month of
May the records Of the office OF County
Clerk James show that there was one
divorce TO every 4.S5 marriages In this
county alone,
There we're q divorce cases filed in
salt Lake county during that month,
ana 1902 marriage licenses Issued, max
Inc the ratio Of divorces to marriages
es stated above The question OF ways
and means for preventing the increase
n divorces has been widely and deep
~ considered, not only IN this state but
also IN large number OF other states
Of the Union and the matter has re-
ceiyed much comment I'm the puDhc
lress in various parts OF the united
States,
Il Is the general opinion that a uni
form law on marriage and divorce
A a. a 49, l.. tHflt
That II IL believed by many, is the only
possible way TO check the divorce evil.
Il Is thought by some, however, that
the statutory grounds of divorce are
too numerous and that they should be
limited. But the general sentiment IA
yors uniformity. A number OF the
Judges Of this district have expressed
themselves In regard TO the matter and
OH favor uniformity in the marriage
and divorce laws,
EIGHT STATUTORY GROUNDS.
There are eight statutory grounds for
divorce in this state, They are lmpo-
tency. adultery, desertion, failure TO
support, habnual drunkenness convic-
ton Of felony, cruelty and insanity
The last named ground was added TO
the statute at the last session OF the
legislature. That something should be
done to protect this state from the
growing evil is certainly very apparent
10 those who stop to consider the mat
Ter, and Il is truly worthy Of the deep
est consideration, The News" has
obtained expressions from several of
the Judges Of the state which are pro-
duced herewith.
WISE LEGISLATION NEEDED.
Chief Justice BaskIn--I am opposed
TO this Wholesale divorce, ii is a men
ace TO society, The manner in which
our divorce laws are executed II decld-
tdy detrimental TO the public veal
nnd It's tendency " TO detract from the
tacredness Of the marriage relation
ana the evil should be corrected by
wise legislation.
BARTCHs SUGGESTIONS.
Associate Justice Bartch--The NUM-
Der Of divorces granted now is simply
appalling when you consider the well
iare OF the family and state. Such |
conditions have a tendency to destroy
lhe social system and reduce the true
standard OF morality The duty OF the |
sale Is to protect the family, and people
nno marry should be given to under |
sahu that they cannot be separated |
~ eeslly There are several things |
MHich should be done TO remedy the |
Flrst-rhe laws should be amended |
tsg as TO take away some OF the grounds |
VI 9lyorce They should he made to |
Sggtllorln more to the Biblical causes. |
ane causes at present on the statutes |
s = ~. Vo numerous and II is entirely too |
'ay TO get a divorce.
Second There should no "a uniforr,
any ~, In iitlalrlage and divorce through
rrobWi, Vlled states. The laws should |
InS a ulYorced persons from marry
p,ri",s, ',n Mlthln three years after Sc
Ihird-The courts should no mara
pccIaii,. IN granting divorces and es-
dren Nnere the parties have chill
,ase hd, sech Instances Il Is often the
N ul,.Orce the parties win become recon-
,leu, The court itself should henr
itorce cases and not refer tben, M n
tleree | cannot approve Of tha la
er practise. VI Wv i"'-
lle way divorces are granted has
tnIeu'y to induce Young neonIo ia
n u io,, iess s9oredly Of ihe marriage re-
rbioh anu NE contract they enter Into
,.on mas M all civilized comnunities
y ~ restrded as the very ,foundation
wv state The marriage contract
ap' 70 De regarded as the most sa.
oseihis o'snn ana binding Obligation
rto p,e Tor men and women 10 enter
I lev Eevery church IN the land should
rsr up against the evil of too freely
pGpPnis divorces without good and
NoNsIrrurIoNAL AMENDMENT
q associate social. Justice McCarty-T am os
initnd e!n mat the Constitution of the
nv states should be amended and
.plsinsS gwen the exclusive bower to
I'd divo.on the subject OF marriage
ame 49,; ana the laws governing he
NJ trtHo9ll be uniform throuRhouf
No. 'leu Stntes. Anything thot so
nifos Uur social fabric should have
snrioD and not be subject Ia tho
ires '' VI the different state leglsla.
UNIFORM MARRIAGE LAWS.
INV, we i D, Lewls-I believe that mt
elp IN ' r1se and divorce laws would
so IN, ,Vlnedy the divorce evil. 1 think
rsn,os.,ne time for divorced persons
~ '' i should be limited bv stat,,so
NJ, eNHt one year. bur do MOI tt,i,,h-