The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-02-19

The consress Of Uniform Divorce
Laws. which was called by Governor
Pennypacker. of Pennsylvania. held its
first session this morning in the small
banquet room of the New Willard hotel
The delegates were welcomed 70 the
Capital by H 3. F. MacfaTiand. presi-
dent of the BOARD Of Commissioners Of
the District. and Governor Pennypack-
er. wilts was unanimously elected uresi-
dent Of tho congress. made the opening
address. The DAYS program Included a
reception by President Roosevelt at the
White House at 2:So this afternoon
In addition to Governor PennypaCker.
as president. the following officers were.
on nomination of Stevenson Archer
E<-illiams. Of Maryland, unanimously
chosen for the congress: Amasa NJ
Eaton. Of Massachusetts; Hon Z. La
Rue Munson. of Pennsylvania. vice
president: william II, Steeke, of Penn
sylvania. secretary.
The congress was called to order by
Mr. Steeke, as chairman Of the com
mittee Of arrangements, and the open
ing prayer was delivered BY Dr.. Edward
Everett Hale. chaplain Of the United
States Senate. after which the chair
man called the roll Of delegates. In
n1ediateIy after the roll call the officers
Of the congress were selected. Governor
J Pennypacker took the chair. and the
/ convention was fairly launched on its
/ work
/ Governor Fennypacker introduced Mr
I Macfarland as "Dr." Macfarland and.
+ throughout the address OF welcome
made by the Commissioner, the chief
/ executive of Pennsvlvania studied the
faces of the delegates.
Mr. Macfarland.
! Mr.. Macfarlsnd said:
/ The executive government Of tbs
District willingly responded TO Governor
/ Pennypacker's request for the appoint.
ment OF delegates to this congress. be
/ cause IL realized the vital Importance a.
| securing uniform legislation respectine
| divorce. Since the home is the corner.
I stone OF the state. such legislation aF
/ fectS the most precious interests of tn.
| entire community. The lack of uni
| conditions and gross evils which chaI
ienge the attention OF all thinking mel
and women
The National Capital, with its inter
est in every State and Territory, ant
with the eyes of the whole people upo1
! it. is the place for the deliberations E o
| such q congress Composed Of such eIni
uCnt men, including some who for NOR,
| than a quarter OF a century IN connec
| tion with the American Bar Association
| and the commissions on uniformity .
| legislation, a we'll as IN other organiza
| lions, have biazed the way for success
we may well hope that this congress
may attain il. Already something hai
! beeu accomplished in the adoption il
part by some of the States of q mode
| divorce procedure recommended by tn
| conference on uniform legislation.
| And meanwhile. the constant pTesen
tation OF the question to the pubic
opinion OF the country, has in itsel
made a great impression and incidental
| ly brought about improvements in Stat
laws, even though they did not ylelI
| Uniformity We Of tiie National Capita
shall be delighted if an agreement il
gress and the legislatures in uniform
statutes, shall remove TepToaeh iron
our national honor"
Purpose of Gathering.
At the conclusion of Mr.. MacfarIand':
remarks. Governor Pennypaeker. with
out any pretense a oratorica1 effort
defined the purposes of the gathering
Both speakers were applauded
Ruies of order were adopted fixing III
hours of the sessions of the convention
and tha methods of procedure which vii
govern the deliberations Of the meet
Ing.
To Vote by States.
Some controversy was INDUCED in owe
the question as to whether the votes t
be taken should be by States or by dele
gatee as units. The congress decided q
have all votes taken by States. eacl
state being considered a unit.
/ A spirited argument IN which a mum