The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-14
Under the Dome.

Representative Frank McNinch. OF
Mccklenburg, is making a Wig,
o}ouS fight for Il radica! reform OF
the divorce laws which is Spcciai
order in the House tonight. III an
SWer to q question: as to the prospects
for success, in view Of the Judiciary
committees majority adverse report.
he said emphaticalIy: 1--WE will win,
Notwithstanding this. And besides.
the committee is now pretty evenly d.
yided on the matter. Two weeks ago
when we first considered the matter
my bin was voted down by u vote OF
II to II. This week when the ques-
ton came before the committee on the
subcommittee substitute bill. when
was practically the revrse of the prop
osition the substitute was adopted by
the narrow magin of one vote. ~ 10
II. SO we have gained ground IN the
committee, and this is indicative OF
an even more decided growth of senu-
ment for reform among the members
Law generally. Two years ago 1T was
said that reform of our divorce laws
was defeated by practically united
opposition of the lawyers. But now
half or nearly half Of us lawyers are
standing for reform. hence the votes
of The laymen will determine the fate
of the movement. And l want to say
that this assembly is, taken as whole,
4 fine body of men. morally, ana i
have faith in them. ] believe they
will stand by the horne. | believe they
will heed the petitions of more than
forty thousand Of our very best peo-
pie. representing every phase Of re-
igious belief. / do not believe they
viii turn a deaf ear to the demands
of the united Press of the state"
Mr.. McNmch called attention 10 q
discovery he has made which was a
-urprise to him and which will no
doubt astonish the people of the
State when / first introduced my
DILL" said ne, repeating all divorce
laws passed since the Code of 1888,
and amending the Code so as TO re-
move the distinction there made be-
tween the infidelity Of the husband and
wife many regarded it as visionary
proposition. So | went to work TO in
yestigate the divorce laws Of every
other State in the Union. And what
10 YOU suppose have found! Why.
that there are only three states IN the
Union which have this discrimination,
only three that cling to this relic of
oarbarism. And those three are Tex
rs. Kentucky and North Carolina. /
an heartily ashamed that our beloved
state is one of this trio. And when
the attention of our people is called
10 this startling fact ! believe they
VIII demand that this stigma be re-
moved"
Mr.. McNinch said he hoped the edi-
tors. ministers and yhe people in gen.
aral who are interested in this reform
movement would be very active in
their advocacy of it between now and
the time when the matter
will be fought out iii the House. Il
want to make this final appeal for
1elp." said Mr.. McNinGh. II want the
editors, the ministers and the laymen,
Ill who arc With us in this fight, To
write or wire their Representatives at
once TO support my bill. and to vote
down amendments.
Following is the McNinch bill, which
being supported by strong mi
aority Of the Judiciary committee:
Marriages may be dissolved and the
parties thereto divorced from the
ponds Of matrimony, on application oil
heiujured party, made as by law pro-
yidcd, in the following cases, and none
other:
10 If either party shall commit
adultery subsequent TO marriage; Pro
.ided. however, the SAME be not com
nittcd by the conniVancc or collision
If the complainant. and provided fur
her, that the complainant shall not
voluntarily cohabit with the other
party after knowledge of the fact of
such adultery.
C2) II either party at the time of
thc marriage was and still is natural
V impOtcnt.
(3) If the wife at the time of the
marriage be pregnant, and the huS-
oand be ignorant of the fact of such
pregnancy and be not the father OF
The child with which the wife was
pregnant at the time of the marriage
60 This Act shall not affect suits
begun prior to the ratification of this
Act.
CD This Act shall take effect from
and after its ratification.
=
Rev. G. G.. Haymore. of Rowan. is in
the city with large petition that tn@
anti-Jug law apply to Rowan county.
Spencer and Gold Hill in that county
have prohibition and Salisbury has
open bars.
Dr.. Monroe and other prominent
citizens of Sanford are here urging the
establishment of the county of Lee.
There will be a hearing by the COM
mittee this afternoon.
1t is perfectly natural for people to
cuss the Legislature. The people
have got to be 'agin" something and
the Legislature is the most kickable
thing in sight now.-Wilmington
Star
Messrs. J. w. Pless and J. l.. 9.
Bird, Of Marion. are inthe city re-
gardng the establishing of d1spen-
sary in their town.
Hon. z. Yates Webb, Of shelby, is
here from Washington. The CONGRESS
man is looking well and says that he
is here simpiy to look on. shake hands
with friends, ard see what is doing
Messrs b. &. Price r. F. Wrenn.
A. r. Buffalo ard W. f. Wood, OF
Marion. are here to go before the
committee of the House this afternoon
in advocacy Of the bin TO prohibit the
sale of whiskey in Marion and Nc
Dowen county. They have petltl0ns
from a majority of the voters OF the
town of Marion (the only place where
liquor is sold in Mcdowell county,