Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1906-02-20
CONSIDER
DIVORCE
PROBLEM
Commissioners From Several
States Meet in Wash
ingtOn

Washington. d. G., Feb. 19.-This is
the day for the formal opening Of the
divorce congress. which was caEed by
Governor Samuel Peunypacker, Of
Pennsylvania to consider the prob
lens Of uniformizing the divorce laws
OF the different states Of the Unio.
The delegates or commissioners ap-
pointed by the governors Of the differ.
ent states, or, at least a great many
OF them, assembled here last week and
held a number Of preliminary consul.
tations. in which they exchanged their
views on the subject, and compared
notes in regard to the divorce laws In
force In their respective states.
South Carolina is the only state
not represented by commissioners.
The reason given by the governor Of
that state for not appointing a com.
missioner TO the conference was that
such appointment would be unneces
sary, as the state OF South Carolina
has no divorce lawa
Governor Pcnnypacker the prime
mover OF the conference. viii preside
at the formal meetings Of tho confer
once. He Is by far tae most promi-
nent figure Of the conference. and.
supported by the other representatives
OF Pennsylvania. c. IARue Munaon.
of willlamsport. Waiter George
Smith and Hon. n Stake. OF Phlladcl.
phia. he will undoubtedly take the
Iced IN the deliberations and discus
sions OF the conference.
Among the commissioners attending
the conference are many men OF
prominence. omincnty qualified 10
represent their state IN the oonaidcra.
ton of 90 important a problem.
Il is expected that the conference
will lead to important results and
will eventually bring about great uni.
formity IN the divorce laws OF tho
different states. The present condi.
ton 10 20 perploxing and undesirable
that every improvement will be- warm.
~ welcomed Even IN the states
whore there IA tho greatest laxity In
regard 20 divorce laws. the people are
beginning 70 see the evils Of tho ex.
isting conditions. aud clamor FOR a
change Marriages contracted In one
state are unlawful In another. while
divorces obtained IN one state are not
recognized In others Tho greatest
dlficulty In unlfomiEing tho laws OF
the various states seems 90 be the
peculiarly OF existing conditions Ia
some Of the states, and which mate
rally diIer from the conditions ex.
listing IN other states. Another mat
ter which promises 20 be a great
stumbling block Is the position taken
by the laws OF certain states IN re.
gard 10 iuterracial marriages be-
tween whites and oolored persons.
Conservative members OF the con
ference DO not believe that the pres.
ent conference will be able 20 agree
on any definite basis OF uniform d.
yorce laws. but are inclined % be
lieve that the best that can be accom-,
iished Al this time Is to discuss the
various phases and features OF the
laws In the different states. point out
existing defects and leave Il 20 a com
mittee 10 work out a draft of laws 10
be considered by some future confer
enee. and II approved, 10 be submit
ted for approval 20 the legislative bod
les OF the various states. Il Is doubt
ul that an effort will be made 10 have
national divorce law introduced in
congress, as this might raise the
question OF CO.. lstitutiOnality.