New-York tribune., 1906-11-14
FOR UNIFORM DIVORCE.
National Delegates Adopt Draft OF
Proposed LG1o an Part.
IBy Telegraph 70 The Tribune. ]

Philadelphia. Nov. 13-Anirnated discssions
over the proposed uniform laws for governing
divorce aroused deep interest in the National
Congress Uniform Divorce Laws to-day. and
the result marked step toward the refor-
nation of evil which seems 10 be growing.
according TO several of the delegates. to an
alarming extent in America
The proposed uniform statute was presented
for consideration and was taken up section by
section receiving the most careful attention
It had been prepared by the committee on legis-
lation appointed at last years session Of the
congress, and since February 1 last this COM
rnittee has been working to make It perfect
as possible.
Governor Pennypacker was chairman OF the
congress and at stages OF the discussion
took active part
About one-third OF the proposed bill was
adopted and included causes under which
annulment OF marriage might be obtained and
six causes for absolute divorce
Discussion OF the bill began at the afternoon
session. the morning having been taken up by
Governor Pennypacker's address and the read
ing Of the report OF walter George Smith, OF
Pennsylvania. the chairman OF the committee.
The important changes IN the bill which has
been published heretofore, are the striking out
of all reference to proceedings and practice,
leaving the question for the various legislative
bodies 10 pass upon The committee decided
that so long open hearings are held and the
laws provide for direct service on the respondent
and fix a punishment for collusion, the measure
need not conform TO any fixed rule.
The causes for yzhich divorce can be granted
are inhdelity felony bigamy. desertion, habitual
drunkenness and intolerable cruelty and IN the
discussions OF the various sections there was
little opposition TO any Of these provisions, but
IN the list Of causes for annulrnent OF marriage
| opposition was presented against several
| The causes for annulment were incurable
! physical incapacity. consequently. If either
| party had husband or wife living. fraud, force
or coercion. insanity and If either party were
| under the age OF civil consent
| Governor Pennypacl1er took exceptions to the
| clause which provides that II either party IN
| known to the other was insane at the time OF
| marriage it should be annulled. The Governor
| held that the clause not only gave the sane
| party the right TO begin suit. but also 70 8
| committee OF the lunatic. This would give a
| commission appointed by the court a right TO
begin a suit IN the name OF insane party,
/ even If the person not insane did not want d.
vorce. lie argued that marriage was per-
| sonaI relation. and third person had no rights
| in the contract.
| Seneca n. Taylor, OF St. Louis and @, La Rue
Munson, Of wiliamsport, Penn. clashed with
the Governor on the subject. Mr.. Taylor said
the third party Is the public, and It has a right
| 70 forbid the propagation Of children from the
| insane. The question OF property rights he also
| held involved.
| Mr. Munson said the clause was the only pro-
lection for an insane person against a designing
man or woman. He cited case where relatives
| and friends were helpless TO protect an imbecile
| who had married a designing woman The
clause adopted.
! There was also opposition to the clause an
nuIIing the marriage Of a girl under the age Of
| sixteen and a youth under eighteen. Ernest
! Merten, Of Wisconsin, held that a girl under
eighteen years was incapable OF making
| proper marriage contract. and Frank H. Kerr
| Of Ohio. favored the law Of his state, whicr
| makes the marriage Of a boy under twenty-one
and q girl under eighteen void. Miss Rachae
| Siegel OF Utah. the only woman speaker, held
| that sixteen years for the girl was all right
| She said I'VE women ought to know" and the
| clause adopted.
Though personally opposed TO divorce, Bisror
Stanley voted for the sections IN behalf OF his
state because the other delegates were not