Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-20
marriages. or the impossibility of access
by the husband has been proved.
Interchurch Conference Delegates.


Interchurch Conference Delegates.
As soon as the congress was called to
order this morning at 10 o'clock Governor
Pennypacker presented the members OF
commission representing the interchurch
conference on divorce, who are Bishop w.
c. Doane OF the Episcopal Church of Al
bany. N. Y: Rev. Randolph II. McKim.
rector of the Church of the Epiphany of
this city; Francis Lynde Stetson OF New
York. Rev. DR.. c. A. Dickey Of the Pres
byterian denomination of Philadelphia,
John +. Parsons of New York city, Bishop
A W. Wilson of the Southern Methodist
Episcopal Church. of Baltimore. Md; Rev.
DIR. w. II. Roberts, Presbyterian pastor Of
Philadelphia; Rev. Dr. r. p. Johnson, Re
formed Church, of Albany, Y: Rev. DR..
S. w. Dixie. Congregationalfst. of Auburn
dale. Mass; and Rev. DIR. A W. Pitzer.
pastor of the Central Presbyterian Church
South. of this city.
Bishop Doane as chairman of the inter
church conference and chairman OF the
commission, addressed the congress hrst.
He said he recognized that there are
many different opinions in regard 10 the
divorce question among the churches ana
the lawyers Of the country, but that they
are all on converging lines. All OF the
churches in the conference except one. ne
said, united in the opinion that tne only
ground for the dissolution or the mar
riage bond should be post-nuptial inf
deity. - 80.
You are concerned with making better
laws he continued, even win
better public opinion. which Is absolutely
necessary to the enforcement OF THESE pro-
posed laws. h. d,d
The bishop stated that personally ne uiu
not believe In divorce on any GROUND, al
though a separation under peculiar circuhi-
stances came within his views
other Addresses.
Mr. Parsons related the story Of a recent
trial for a divorce in New York city. whieh
was not granted Later this same case WAS
transferred to a western state and granteo.
He also said he had received an argument
from, q LAWYER in q western state, winch
WAS in the form of an advertisement ol
himself as an attorney in such cases. Aiis
sort of practice. he said. ought to oe
stopped. 18th q
n,ea that conservative states like New
York be not asked to lower their stanuaru
of divorce laws, but rather that the stdteS
with lax laws be lifted up to this stanoaru
The interchurch conference. according 10
DR. Roberts, the next speaker, representa-
in actual communicates and aoheIentS .ne
great majority of the people OF the ianu.
He declared that there 10 a oe,eIiIlisia. %,
on the part of the Protestant churches oi
the land to take hold of this matter.
According to Bishop Wilson. who foi-
lowed the south today does not have much
reason to consider the divorce eVil ioo e'rno
as 1t has not appeared there 10 any great
extent. 80.
"But we are open to example sa.a
bishop Wilson, land as we increase III
wealth and more people come to us from
the north we may see 1t break out amongst
u.s." A.,
The higher moral character" of the
southern people was given by Btshop WIZ
son as the reason for the non-eXisleHce
of the divorce evil In southern states.
Mr.. Stetson of the commission. presented
to the congress the act approved py inc
interchurch conference, which was pre-
l.. %En fnr n
sions for the Promotion of Uniformity or
Legislation in the United States, and has
been approved by the American bar AS
ISOLATION. 1t is based upon the principle
of publicity, decency and comfy, as MI.
Stetson expressed ii.
Mr.. Stetson held that each state should
respect the policy of all other states, and
not make it so easy for outsiders TO secure
divorces within their borders.
DIR. Dickey was asked by Governor Penny
packer to give his views. He said 1t was
an honor to accept the invitation from the
governor, who he said, lis good man
TO tie to. as we have learned in Pennsyl-
vania during the last six weeks" He also
made plea for comfy between the states.
He declared that the churches have given
up much for the sake of unity, and thought
the states ought to do the same.
The congress voted that the members OF
the commission be asked to remain and take
part occasionally In the discussions.
Sole Delegate from Washington State
Miss Fanny Leake Cummings, sole dele
gate from Washington state, took the floor
and inquired of DR.. Roberts upon what
scriptural ground the Presbyterian Church
based its rule in regard to remarriage after
div orce.
Amid much laughter DR.. Roberts replied
that he could quote the part of the Bible.
but would be glad to send the arguments OF
the church to the lady by mail after he got
home.
The committee on credentials reported. 1t
recommended that Francis Tracey Tobln,
who claimed to have credentials from the
governor of New Mexico, be admitted to the
congress but not given a vote. This ques-
ton was warmly debated and finally recon-
mitted.
The congress then received the report OF
the committee procedure, which was
followed by the report from the committee