The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-02-22
WARM DEBATES IN
DIVORCE CONGRESS
WOMEN DELEGATES LEAVE THE
ROOM WHEN MISS CUMMINGS
SAYS THE RESOLUTION WILL
PUT A PREMIUM ON VICE.

Washington February 21.-The con-
gress on uniform divorce laws today dis
cussed the report of the committee on
resolutions, submitted yesterday, embrace
ing various regulations regarding mar
rage and divorce. 1t was decided by a
considerable majority of the delegates
that not less than two years residence
should be required on the part of a
plaintiff who has changed his or her state
domicie since the cause of divorce arose,
where jurisdiction depends on the resi-
dence of the plaintiff. This feature of the
report was not adopted until after much
debate
A warm discussion was precipitated ovel
the following section of the report:
IAN innocent and injured party hus-
band or wife. seeking a divorce should not
be compelled to ask for a dissolution OF
the bonds of matrimony, but should be
allowed at his or her option to apply for
divorce from bed and board. Therefore
divorces amensa should be retained where
already existing and provided for in
states where no such rights exist"
The proposition was vigorously opposed
by DR.. Henry c. Winton Of Trenton, n. j.
who maintained that separation should
not be granted, as 1t might tend to bring
about a wrongful mode of life
Chairman Smith asserted his belief that
DIR. Winton placed human nature on too
low plane. A general debate folloewd
A number of women left the room when
Miss Fanny Leake Cummings Of the state
of Washington declared that the resolli-
ton would put premium on vice and
produced statistics in support of her posi-
ton, The resolution was finally adopted
with an amendment allowing the inno-
cent party to apply for divorce from
bed and board at any time" The con-
gress adopted the resolution providing for
the classification of causes for divorce
that would be approved by common con-
sent to all communities represented in the
congress or substantially so. While the
matter was being threshed over Zach Nc
Gee of South Carolina, the only state hav-
ing no divorce laws, was given permits
sion to address the congress, and he took
occasion to resent what he calls a slur
on his state. He stated on the floor of
the congress that South Carolina has a
law limiting the amount of money a man
may leave to a concublne.
The last resolution, which was still
under discussion when the congress took
a recess, was resumed this afternoon II
was finally adopted. though considerably
modified from the form & originally pre-
scented by the resolutions committee.
Other resolutions were adopted as fol-
lows:
'1f the conviction of a crime be made
the cause for divorce II should be agreed
that such conviction should be followed
by ten years continuous Imprisonment;
a decree should not be granted vincull
for insanity arising after marriage: de-
sertion should not be cause for divorce
unless persisted in for at least two years
a divorce should not be granted unless
the defendant has been given full and fai,
opportunity by notice brought home tc
him to have his say in court when his
residence is known or can be ascertained
anyone named as correspondent should
IN all cases be given an opportunity ia
Intervene
Governor Pennypaclser left for Harris
burg this afternoon and Vce-Presideni
Wheat ton presided.