Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-11-15
UNIFORM DIVORCE
National Congress for Consideration
Of the Subject in Session In
Philadelphia.
FAVORS COMMITTEES PLAN
Six Causes for which They WouId
Grant Absolute Divorce and
seven for AnnuIment OF
Marriage.

Philadelphia, Nov. 1.-THE nation
al congress ON uniform divorce laws
in session in this city Tuesday adopted
about one-third Of the proposed uni
form bill as drafted by the committee
appointed at the meeting held In
washington nine months ago. The
portions adopted include seven causes
under which annulment Of marriage
may be obtained and six causes for
absolute divorce.
Delegates from 81 states and the
Distrist Of Columbia and representa-
tives of all protestant denominations
who attended the internal conference
on marriage, together with the Cath
Ole prelate, Bishop Stanley Of North
Dakota, attended the sessions which
were presided over by Governor Pen
nypacker.
The important changes in the bill
are the striking out of all references
to proceedings and practice, leaving
the question for the various legisla-
tive bodies to pass upon. The COM
mittee decided that SO long as open
hearings are held and the laws pro-
vide for direct service on the res
pendent and fix a punishment for col
fusion, the measure need not conform
to any fixed rule
The causes for which divorce can be
granted are infidelity, felony, bigamy,
desertion, habitual drunkenness and
intolerable cruelty and In the discus
sions of the various sections there
was little opposition to any of these
provisions but in the list of causes
for annulment Of marriage opposition
was presented against several.
Gov. Pennypacker took exceptions
to the clause which provides that If
either party unknown to the other
was insane at the time of marriage,
1t should be annulled. The governor
held thaat the clause not only gave
the sane party the right to begin
suit but also to a committee for the
lunatic. This would give a commits
sion appointed by the court a right
to begin suit in the name Of an insane
party, even If the person not insane
did not want divorce. He argued that
marriage was personal relation and
a third person had no rights in the
contract.
Seneca N. Taylor of st. Louis and
G. La Rue Munson of Williamsport,
Pa, clashed with the governor on the
subject. Mr.. Taylor said the third
party is the public and 1t has a right
to forbid the propagation OF children
from the insane A question Of prop
erty rights he also held was involved
Mr.. Munson said the clause was the |
only protection for an insane person
against a designing man or woman.
The clause was adopted.
There was also opposition to the
clause annulling the marriage Of a
girl under the age Of 16 and youth
lnder 10. Ernest Merten Of Wisconsin
held that girl under IS was incapable
II making a proper marriage contract
Ind Frank H. Kerr Of Ohio favored
he law of his state which makes the
Of boy under 81 and girl
lnder IS void. Miss Rachael Siegel
# Utah, the only woman speaker,
leld that 16 years for the girl was
III right. She said I'VE women ought
o know" The clause was adopted.
Though personally opposed to d.
'orce, Bishop Stanley voted for the
Iections in behalf of lbs state be-
iause the other delegates were not
present.