Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1906-03-28

Divorce Congress when con ea,d u,
this city recently. Fsancis
Tobin, at the instance Of Hon, w,
II. Andrews, was appointed by Cover.
nor Hagerman to represent New Mex.
leo.
The principal object OF this con.
gress was 10 discuss the most Teas
able methods OF bringing about a uni
fOrmity In the divorce laws of the var,
ious states In the union, with a view
TO codifying the laws on this subject,
and improving them generally: the
conclusions OF the congress and q pro
posed code, TO be submitted To the var
i0us legislatures for action next
winter.
Mr. Tohin on the opening day OF the
session presented his credentials, He
had previously been informed that OBJ.
jecti0ns would be raised to territories
being given representation In the coi.-
gress, so he was not surprised when
upon presenting his credentials the
temporary presiding officer, William
H. Stake, refused to recognize them,
stating that he vas Of the opinion that
the territories had no right there: that
a territorial delegate In congress had
no vote. that this divorce congress
was national in its scope. and had con.
vened to discuss state laws. MIR.
Tobin ~thereupon demanded admis-
sion, and the matter was referred to
the committee on credentials. This
committee reported favorably, holding
that the territories had a right to rep
resentatiOn, as the territorial legis.
latures passed laws on the matter Of
divorce. Mr.. Tobin was then without
further delay given a seat in the con-
gress, with the right to speak on all
questions, to submit motions. offer res
Olutions or propose amendments, but
without the right to vote. The report
of the committee was almost unani-
mously adopted. After MI. Tobin hal
secured his seat as dele gate, he Of
fered an amendment to the effect that
all acts passed or adopted by the. con-
gress wherein the word States oc-
cured. that Immediately after said
word States the words And the
Territories of the United States" be
Inserted. This amendment was car
ried by a large majority, thus virtual
w investing the territorial represent
alive with full rights, powers and pri-
vilcges in the congress. This was a
great victory for New Mexico. The
fact that a duly commissioned repre-
sentative from this territory had to pu'
forth such strenuous efforts, as did
Mr.. Tobin. to secure a seat in the
congress. and then further remon
STATIONS to be given a voice In Its
deliberations, should be evidence that
New Mexico Is as keenly anxious fOl
moral progress and improvement a
is any other state or territory in the
union, and that she is fully aware thai
laxity in divorce laws Is a menace II
any community and car only invite
social decentralization.
The congress handled the question
before it in a most able manner. ant
passed some very valuable resolution
relative to the restriction Of the grow
ing evil Of divorce. The preparation o.
4 uniform code on divorce to be pre-
sented to the legislatures OF the various
states and territories, was referred Z
a committee.
The congress was composed OF rep
resentative men and women from val
ious parts of TIE United States. and 1t
deliberations should eventually resul
in much good to the country, as tn
best element in the union was repre-;
ented among its delegates. 1t was /.
session from February N9th TO I'm
inclusive. and adjourned to meet Il
August at st. Paul, Minnesota, or =
Washington, D. c.. In November 9
December OF this year, to be announ'
ed later.
New Mexico was the only territor
who sent a delegate to this congress
though the other territories will n
doubt have representatives at the a.
journed session.
PennsylvanIa's Idea.
From the Philadelphia Publ
Ledger. !.
"The pennsylvania delegation j
troduced a set Of resolutions embed,
ing their idea Of a uniform divorce la
These resolutions which were referre
10 a committee. contain the followir
suggestions.
Each state should adopt legislatif
restricting the remedies afforded
It's statutes Of divorce to its own CT
xcns just provision being made ho'
ever. that when the status OF a WI
!, IA restored as a citizen OF her origin
} state, by her returning TO that sta
after an injury suficient to warrant
divorce therein. she would be entitl'
70 sue in that state. provided she WI
a resident thereof at the time Of n
marriage. This privilege should
guarded by requiring a reasonap
long period Of residence In her origin
state after such return.
"When the courts were given &C