The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-01-29

Carolina in the past few years, direct
" traceablc to the plausible lax laws
that have from time to time been
placed on the statute books, has
aroused the conscience of the people
of North Carolina. and has resulted
in memorials to the General Assembly
to repeal every law that has been
placed on the statute books since 1888.
and to forbid divorces for any cause
except the one approved by the Bible.
A few days ago a committee of the first
men in North Carolina. representing
all the religious denominations in the
State speaking for $4,000 people APP
peared before the Judiciary Commit
tee of the General Assembly, present
to repeal all divorce laws enacted i'm
the last twenty years, and made able
and convincing arguments iii support
of the memorials they presented. They
made profound impression upon all
who heard them and the general Senti-
ment at that time was that the Legls-
lature would surely pass either the
McNinch or the Stewart BILL Certainly
legislators will do SO if they voice the
convictions of the people of North
Carolina. The matter was discussed
in every religious gathering in the
State and not a voice was raised
against the repeal of the lax laws.
Some good ministers did oppose
church action on the ground that it
tended TO narrow the line that should
subs.st between State and church.
The matter was not taken up by the
Christian people of the State in their
gatherings upon the initiation of few
men, but in response to the earnest
demand of great majority of the
people of North Carolina. who have
in the number of divorces and the
danger to the home arising from lax
divorce laws.
And yet, in the face of these me-
MORALS, the earnest recommendations
of Ex-Governor Aycoek ana Governor
Glenn who know as much about the
true sentiment of the people of North
Carolina as the lawyers who have
cases dependent upon lax divorce laws,
there is some danger that this Legis-
lature will be induced to add to the
causes for divorce instead of needing
the memorials Of the 375, 00o members
OF the various churches in North Caro-
/ lima Already one amendment letting
l.
the Judiciary Committee, and others
9re ready to be introduced, every one
based upon a particularly aggravatinS
case i'm which some able lawyer is cm-
plOyed. Lawyers who have cases de-
pendent upon adding an additional
cause for divorce are naturally very
jealous to serve their clients, but the
Legislature ought not TO legislate for
particular cases, but for the general
good and upon fundamental principles.
1t is matter for profound regret
To the forces that stand against easy
divorce laws to find so large a num-
Der of lawyers opposing the memorials
of the Christian people of the State.
There are many lawyers who are lead
ng in the fight to cut off the lax laws
and grant divorces for no new cause,
and we regret that the Whole profess
sion, which has often led for so many
reforms and for liberty, should not be
standing solidly by the $4,000 petit
TONERS.
Already we have printed in these
columns the memorials Of the reiig-
ious denominations in the State and
the gist Of the arguments by the spe-
cial representatives of these churches
and the views of Governor Aycock and
Governor Glenn. But as complete
answer to those who say there is no
public sentiment or sound reason in
the demand voiced by the Christian
! church members Of North Carolina, we
publish here today the brief and lucid
men last selected to hold the highest
| Office III the gift of the people. In his
last I. message ITO. tiles General Assem-
by Governor, Aycock said IL II,
1
Gently been greatly awakened on the
subject of divorce Many of the re-
| ligious bodies OF the State have passed
resolutions calling upon the Legisla-
ture to check the great evil Of frequent
divorces. The Constitution of the
State provides. article 2, section 10,
THE General Assembly of the State
lshali have power to pass general rules
regulating divorce and alimony, but
shall not have power to grant di-
ivorce or secure alimony in any indi-
viGual case This provision was in
tended to restrain the legislative body
/ from being led away from adherence
to principles 10y the nardships OF any
particular case, but appeals to the
Legislative Kindness of disposition
have from time to time been based
upon the terrible calamity existing il
individual cases of married life and
the Legislature has responded by the
I2doption OF general acts based really
On a single case. When these acts
have been passed, however, many
iother like cases have been brought in
the courts and divorces have become
more and more frequent until then
humber has challenged the considera'