Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-09-22
task in accomplishing their object goes

WilIouI Say Ing rlTSC IuS COulullLoS
must agree, second that congress must
vote majority in favor Of some par
ticular draft and third the bill must go
before every legislature in the union.
1t is probable, however, that the con-
gress will graciously accept the best
results that can be attained, even
though it may be impossible to con-
vince every state legislature that 1t
has the proper form of law.
Such gatherings are too often inclin.
! ed toward radicalism and thereby lose
all that might have been gained If
the congress takes wise course and
Is liberal but reasonable in it's requests
there is a field open to it, by which
great good can doubtless be accom-
plished. Too often sweeping reforms
are asked for that can not and will not
be granted. For instance, ministers
will band together as they did in
Omaha Monday and agree to marry no
divorced person or persons. That re-
lieves them of the duty, but it does not
stop the marriages. A removal of the
scene to another town, or, If the couple
is not particular about having the knot
tied by divine, a drive to the office of
|
of the difficulties.
A divorce law uniform in it's essen
tial points will be welcomed in almost
every state, but it is safe to say that
the legislature of each commonwealth
will insist upon supplying the details.
1t Is proposed by the congress to re.
strict the right Of divorce in each state
to citizens of that state; that no di.
vorce shall be granted to persons upon
grounds that would not have been
valid In the state where the alleged Of.
Tense was committed; that at least
three years be required to establish a
residence; that there shall be a trial
of all divorce cases in open court.
All Of these appear to be quite rea
sonable, although there will doubtless
be some difference Of opinion as to the
time of residence necessary. For in
stance the states that have the limit at
two years will be likely to have many
legislators who will support the exist
ing statute. However, the six months
law Of South Dakota will not find many
supporters in other states.
Illinois has new divorce law on its
ooks, which requires that year
dlapse before couple can be married
IN that state if one of them is di
vorcee. That Is for the purpose of pre-
venting q person from getting decree
in the circuit court, and going imme
dfately to the office Of county clerk
for license and proceeding to the
county judge to get married. It is te
serve as damper upon the obtaining
| n a dtyyN Cor t10 Is -
marrying.
These are questions that the con
gress can readily regulate withou
serious opposition, although there may
be some disagreement as to details
, The trouble will come il it attempts tt
dictate the grounds upon which di
vorce can be granted. A liberal Law
: may be placed upon its passage, bu
one with radical changes and restric
} tons will mean more or less opposi
/ ton. 500
1t Is easy to declaim about the nun
bcr of divorces and ask for laws tina
are more strict, and to criticise tn,
judges Tor granting them, but goot
cure for that is to go to the court room
and listen to the testimony and tn,
tales of cruelty and drunkenness an,
, fear of life that the Judge hears from
+ men and women and their relative
and neighbors who are brought to bea
witness of it.
r 1t happens often enough to be nc
: table that divorce cases are stricken
from the docket because the defendan
: kills the plaintiff before the case come
to trial. and numerous are the bill
l that ask temporary injunction re
: straining the defendant from enterin
the premises pending the suit on az
count Of fear of the taking Of life, o
. great injury.
One can not deal we'll in generalitie
: on the divorce question. Specific IL
formation that is gained in the cour
= room will assist more in solving tn
. problem than will resolutions of club
= and congresses.