New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-05
SHE 4DVOCATES DIVORCE.
Mrs. Taylor Says "Om Grand
mothers Would Haze Liked It,"

In the course Of a paper on The influence OF
Legislation on Crime Mrs. Belle Gray Taylor
yesterday defended the institution Of divorce be-
fore the women of the Minerva Club.
Too strict In some things. TOO lax in others, our
divorce laws are An example OF the powerlessness
OF law 10 make people good" said Mrs. Taylor, in
substance. That 50 large number Of persons
seek TO sever their marriage bonds is often cited
ss proof OF the increasing wickedness Of the
world. but this Is wrong deduction. The fact
that they want 10 loose their marital ties shows
q laudabe desire 10 assert the rights OF the in
ovidual-on the part Of the women. That women
should have recourse 10 the law at ell proves the
growing regard for their rights. The modern
woman who gets a divorce only does what our
grendrnothers wanted to do What other means IS
there Of extricating ones self from an unhappy or
uuwise marriage?
In another generation divorces VIII become
fewer. because there viii be fewer unwise mar
riages wouan's ability 10 support herself VIII
introduce new element into the problem, deterring
her from marrying for the sake Of home.
Recently society has been greatly agitated over
this question OF divorce. and especially with the re-
marriage Of divorced persons. the High Church
party IN particular being pronounced in its attitude
against their marrying again DO you think any
good could come 70 society or the individual by
preventing the reuarriage OF divorced persons?
VIII such a law lessen the social evil? No, but 1t
will tend 10 increase infdelity and nasons. HUI
man nature IS force that must be reckoned with
Irrespective OF the DEGREES Of ecclesiastical courts
Men and women want happiness. ana they want u
here and now, not in some future life
Mrs. Taylor began her remarks by asserting that
morality truth and integrity could be legis-
lated into people any more than love could. al
though she added, Intelligent laws are valua-
be protection 10 mankind. Law never has much
effect on the criminal because il do little with
grownups-it is children whom must influence.
and nothing IS more e1ectual than the kind :rga1-
ten II a few miIiouares would apply some OF
their money mere at the root, instead Of spreading
81 around top il the form OF Libraries, they would
do infinitely good
In concluding Mrs. Taylor said she wished 20
leave four propositions with her hearers-a uni
versal Kindergarten system for the young; the
political equality Of women with men; widely re-
Ftrtcted emigration and federal divorce law, TO
be Identical in al the States.
Doubtless some saint earth Will say" she
concluded. WIN nothing stop these women from
talking? And echoing from sea TO sea viii come
back the answer. Nothing. nothing. nothing.
Here Mrs. Taylor allowed her voice, which had
begun fairly loud. 10 trail away into silence pro-
oucing the eject OF an answer echoins from sea
10 realistically that the assembled Minervas
burst into loud applause.
Mrs. Lille Devereux Blake. who was the guest
OF honor took view Of the influence OF law some
what similar TO that expressed BY Mrs. Taylor.
The last speaker vas Mrs. Washington Burton.
Of Brooklyn, who talked about Club Etiquette
After telling the women that sapho was the first
club president $500 years ago she delivered the fol-
lowing series % Club Don'ts'
First-Don't lon don'D be late
eeeond-Don't abuse the confidence OF a member
or othcer o. club
Thirc-Don't tell a good thing outside II it's
or the club, WI Is dangerously allied 10 sarcasm
.ng.
.Fltth-Dont whisper during the reading Of unin-
ReIestlng papers (Do hear q whispeT?)
.,Sixth-nout rise 10 speak unless you have some
hang hang 70 say 10 The point-and stop the moment you
..aEe said II (Which reminds me TO do so, after
JUST one more rernark)
Many a club member ands all her society IN her
eteo Again, nothing is more acceptable TO a friend
than an invitation 10 ones club. / delightful
way 10 entertain. SO lastly
seTeRtk--Don't fan to treat your friends and
your friends friends when guests OF your club 10
genial hospitality. broad and kindly etiquette,
~hlch shall, as Shakespeare puts II, Bear welcome
n your eye, your hand. your tongue"