East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1906-02-19

Washington, Feb. 19.-This is the
day for the formal opening Of the
divorce congress which was called by
Governor Samuel w. Pennypacker, of
PENNSYLVANIA. to consider the prob
lem of unifcrminS the divorce laws
of the different states of the Union.
The delegates or commissioners ap-
pointed by the governors of the diff
ferent states of the Union. The dele
gates or commissioners appointed by
the governors of the different states,
or at least a great many of them,
assembled here last week and held 4
number of preliminary consultations,
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 commission
ers to the conference, was, that such
appointment would be unnecessary, as
the state of South Carolina has no di-
vorce laws.
Governor Pennypacker, the prime
mover of the conference, will preside
at the formal meeting of the confer
encc. He is by far the most promi-
nent figure OF the conference and.
supported by the other representa-
tives of Pennsylvania, C. La Rue
Munson, OF Williamsport; Walter
George Smith and William H.
Stake, of Philadelphia, he will un-
| doubtedly take the lead in the de-
liberations and discussions of the con-
ference.
Among the commissioners attending
the conference are many men of
prominence eminently qualified to
| represent their states in the consider
alton Of so important a problem. r.
Ross Perry. F. L. Siddons and A. b.
Browne represent the District of CO.
lumbia. Among other distinguished
commissioners are John C. Richberg
of Illinois; Amasa NJ Eaton, of Rhode
Island; Colonel p. w. Meldrim, of Sa-
vthnah; Henry r. Goetschius of CO.
| lumbus. Ga. and r. A. Denny OF
Rome, Ga; Judge John D. Carroll
Major J. Embry Allen and w. D
Claybrook, of Kentucky.
1t is expected that the conference
will lead to important results and VII
Eventually bring about greater uni.
formity in the divorce laws of the
different states. The present con.
dition is so perplexing and undesfra.
Bile, that every improvement will b,
warmly welcomed. Even in fh,
states where there is the Creates
laxity in regard to divorce laws tn,
people are beginning to see the evil.
of the existing conditions and clamoi
for a change. Marriages contracted
in one state are unlawful in another
while divorces obtained in one state
are not recognized in others.
The greatest difficulty in uniform.
izing the laws of the various state!
seems to be the popularity of exist
ing conditions in some of the state!
and which materially differ from TIL,
conditions existing in other states
Another matter which promises to b,
a great stumbling block is the posi-
ton taken by the laws of certain
states in regard to inter-racial mar
riages between whites and culoret
persons.
| Conservative members of the con
ference do not believe that the pres
ent conference will be able to agre,
on any definite basis for uniforn
divorce laws, but are inclined TO be
lieve that the best that can be ac
complished at this time is to discuss
the various phases and features o
the laws in the different states. poin
out existing defects and leave il to
committee to work out draft O
laws to be considered by some future
conference and, If approved, to b,
submitted for approval to the legis
lativc bodies of the various states. 1
is doubtful that an effort will b,
made to have national divorce Law
introduced in congress, as this Nigh
raise the question of constitutionality