The Washington herald., 1906-11-15

Philadelphia, Pa. Nov. H-With the
sanction Of every State represented. ex-
cept New York, the delegates to the Ma
tional Congress on Uniform Divorce Laws.
which closed its sessions in this city to-
night. adopted form OF uniform divorce.
which IS 10 be recommended TO the differ
ent legislatures Of the States for passage.
The sanction Of New York was withheld
because the proposed new statute recog-
nizes more causes for divorce than the
one statutory cause recognized in New
York-that Of adultery.
Does Not Aim to Increase Causes.
In explaining his attitude after the con-
gress adjourned. Mr.. Terry. secretary Of
the New York delegation, said his own
personal convictions would have impelled
him to vote mo- on the question Of the
approval Of the proposed statute. He de-
clared that he had no objection to any
Of the provisions Of the proposed statute.
except that one which allowed divorce for
other causes than the one already sane
toned by New York legislation
Bishop William CrosweIl Doane, Of Al
bany, who addressed the congress Mt its
conclusion, said he was anxious that the
action OF the congress, in appearing to
recognize IN the proposed statutes any
more than one cause for divorce, should
not be interpreted as meaning anything
more than that the congress recognizes
that other causes are actually recognized
in the existing legislation Of various
States. He said that he is confident that
the congress in session at Philadelphia
has been animated by the same spirit
which had led the delegates, when they
met in Washington, TO declare shat they
were opposed to the increase of recog-
nized causes for divorce in States where
but one is now in existence.
In addition 70 the proposed statute regu-
lating the granting Of divorces, two other
acts were recommended 10 the legisIa-
lures Of the several States for passage.
one relating to the collection Of statistics
on the divorce question and the other re-
lating TO similar statistics regarding the
Issuance Of marriage licenses.
Section Aimed at Lawyers Lost.
4 radical proposition to forbid the so
licitation of divorce business by lawyers.
under penalty Of fine and imprisonment.
encountered unexpected opposition, and
was finally withdrawn. The reason for
the withdrawal was the objections
voiced. among others. by Vice Chancellor
Emery, of New Jersey. who declared that
the proposed act was too drastic, and
would forbid a lawyer even undertaking
70 take up the case OF a friend he knew
was contemplating bringing divorce pro-
ceedings. In Withdrawing the bin. Wal
ter George Smith, of Pennsylvania. said
he was unwilling either to have the bill
passed when such important grounds of
objection were brought against it in its
present form. or to have it voted down
when the general principle could not be
approved by the congress.
Delegate Werner, of Missouri, renewed,
without success. a fight which he had al
ready vainly made IN committee to have
inserted in the statute a section making
It incumbent on a judge trying a suit
for divorce to turn over to the criminal
authorities for prosecution the evidence
Of any crime or misdemeanor committed
by the defendant which might be brought
out in the divorce proceedings. so that
the defendant might be prosecuted after
the divorce has been granted. for the
crime or misdemeanor leading up to the
divorce.
Wants More Chance for Women.
Pleading for change in a section Of
the proposed statute OF uniform divorce
laws. which she declared would work
great injustice to her sex. Rev. Caroline
Bartlett Crane, of Kalamazoo, Mich, held
the attention Of the delegates for & long
time to-day. She introduced an amend
ment which should give to women greater
opportunity Of securing freedom from
the cruelty and indignation of brutal hus-
bands and precipitated the most spirited
debate of the day.
Paragraph 6 DEGREES that a divorce
could be granted to an injured husband
or wife, who has moved to another State
only when the alleged grievance is recog-
nized as a SUFFICIENT ground for divorce
In the State IN which the offense was
committed.
Mrs. Crane declared that her sex would